Tubney Manor: A delightful Grade II listed property in the Oxfordshire countryside

Tubney Manor is a manor house, surrounded by the gentle Oxfordshire countryside, on the outskirts of pretty and desirable Appleton village, near Abingdon. Dating back to the 17th Century and with so many tales to tell, this property will tug at your heartstrings from the moment you arrive. As you approach through the gates, you will glimpse the historic Cotswold stone property sitting within beautiful gardens and views of the fields beyond.

This property is steeped in history and has been thoroughly yet sensitively restored by the current owners to create a substantial and versatile family home full of heart, soul and character. Everything that has been done to bring this property up to modern standards has been done with the utmost respect to its heritage, from reclaimed Yorkshire flagstones in the entrance hall, beamed vaulted ceilings, beautiful oak floors and so many other surprises along the way.

Despite its grand proportions, this characterful property also has the feeling of a cosy country retreat. This is a home where you could curl up on your window seat with a wood-burning fire roaring while enjoying the idyllic views of your garden and beyond. And also where you could entertain family and friends in a dining room that really has the wow factor in the winter and have the best setting for al-fresco dining in the summer.

The present owners fell in love with the building and realised it would make a unique and fantastic family home. They were not deterred by the immense amount of work they had to complete before it evolved into the enchanting home it is today. A home where the many original features blend seamlessly with the sophisticated requirements of 21st-century living.

Built with attractive Cotswold stone, the house was, reputedly, originally occupied by monks who lived off the fish in the moat which once surrounded the house. Over the centuries, two extensions were added and by the time the owners discovered the house, it needed much attention.

Each project was completed with exacting care and using only high-quality materials. The old plaster was removed throughout the house, and all the blackened beams were stone blasted and treated. The stones around fireplaces were exposed and carefully cleaned, the main staircase was moved, and the roof to the front of the building was retiled using reclaimed tiles. These are only a few of the improvements, but it was a work of love and pride.

To increase the ease of family living, a family bathroom was created from a corridor. The original family bathroom became the en suite to the master bedroom, and the children’s bedrooms had a Jack and Jill en suite. Also, the CCTV, gates controlled by a sim card and mobile phone provide excellent security.

Tubney Manor is today a series of visual delights where the fine tracery of beams in every room and wide gleaming floorboards immediately give a sense of history that fuses with the modern furnishings and creates a luxury of space and comfort. It is a house where you can feel totally relaxed but is also a chic entertaining space.

The long flagstoned hallway flowing down to the dining room has a wow factor and sets the positive ambience you find throughout the house. The well-equipped kitchen has part of the house’s history included, with the use of the thick original slate from the old dairy, as modern worktops.

The choice of rooms allows for family downtime but also space to have some alone time. The spacious master bedroom suite, with its substantial dressing room, is the perfect adult sanctuary, whilst four additional bedrooms provide generous accommodation for family and when friends are visiting.

Ground Floor

The large front door opens on to a central entrance hall with Flagstone flooring, exposed beams and the oak staircase. There is a step down to a vaulted inner hallway, which in turn leads to the stunning dining area, with a beautiful vaulted and beamed ceiling and stone fireplace with a wood-burning stove.

The main sitting room has a large fabulous fireplace with wood burning stove, window seats overlooking the garden on two sides, and oak floors. There are two further reception rooms currently used as a family room and office, both with beautiful garden views. The current family room also has a fireplace and a second staircase leading to one of the first-floor double bedrooms.

The kitchen (the former dairy) is in keeping with the farmhouse style, with a large range cooker, and the kitchen surfaces a nod to its past. There is also a utility/boot room with access to the garden, inner lobby/storage area and cloakroom on the ground floor.

First Floor

There are two oak staircases leading to the first floor. The main staircase from the hallway takes you to the landing, with access to the master suite, second bedroom, family bathroom and stairs rising to the second floor.

The dual-aspect master suite is superb with its generous bedroom area and windows overlooking the garden, leading through to a fantastic dressing room with fitted wardrobes and an en-suite bathroom. The second bedroom has access to a Jack & Jill shower room which leads to the third double bedroom with fabulous oak beams (which can also be accessed by the second staircase).

Second Floor

Stairs rise to the second floor, which is bursting with charm and character. There are two double bedrooms on this floor, but it is a versatile space, should you wish to have an upstairs office or playroom.

Outside

The property is approached through electric gates and along a long gravel driveway that sweeps round to the front of the property, where there is ample parking. Totalling approximately 1.25 acres, the incredible gardens surround this historic property, and the feeling of open space is emphasised by the neighbouring fields.

The garden wraps itself around the house and is an oasis of tranquillity, Tubney Manor is a very special property, and the owners have loved their time there and being a part of the house’s long history. They take away very happy memories.

The beauty of the gardens wrapping themselves around the property means you can enjoy some glorious views of sunrise and sunset during the year. The garden, whilst established with some mature trees and hedges, has been purposely kept low maintenance with plenty of lawn area for excitable young explorers to run around.

There is a great opportunity here for a keen gardener to really make their own mark on this incredible space.