Standlake, Standlake, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX29

Gaunt House stands in a beautiful setting, completely surrounded by a moat, believed to be one of only two such properties in Oxfordshire. Originally timber framed, some of these timbers are understood to remain, with the rest of the construction having been replaced in stone by the earlier part of the 17th Century.

The current owners have carried out an extensive programme of restoration and modernisation and the house is now presented to an exceptional standard,whilst retaining its historic character.

The work which has been carried out has created a stunning family home, with well-proportioned living and bedroom space and light flowing throughout. It is in a wonderful private setting, though within close proximity to neighbouring villages.

Gaunt House is Grade II listed and has many attractive period features, including stone mullion windows with shutters, an impressive studded oak front door with musket holes and fleur de lys hinges, exposed beams, stone flagged floors, stone fireplaces and lozenge floral decorated beams. As well as these period features, the house has many sympathetic modern elements, including a new stylish bespoke kitchen, under floor heating throughout all of the ground floor tiled floors, zoned heating, CAT 5 cabling throughout, a dedicated broadband line and CCTV.

The house is approached through electric wrought iron entrance gates with stone pillars along an impressive long carriage drive, bordered by an avenue of fine Canadian maple trees. There is a turning and parking area to the south east of the house.

Gaunt House is situated on the edge of the pretty Oxfordshire village of Standlake, surrounded by delightful countryside. Standlake and the nearby village of Northmoor have public houses and village stores catering for everyday needs. The market town of Witney is about 6 miles away, offering extensive facilities including a cinema complex and several major shops including a department store, Waitrose supermarket and an M&S. The university city of Oxford is only about 12 miles away. The Oxford and Abingdon schools are within easy reach, with St Hughes and Cokethorpe being particularly local. The London commute is straight forward from the new Oxford parkway station (to London Marylebone from 52 mins) or from Long Hanborough to Paddington.

The gardens and grounds are a particular feature of the property with the main bulk of the formal gardens being within the moat. These comprise principally lawned areas with herbaceous flower beds and borders. This lawned area is fenced from the moat, which has four bridges over to the house, one of which is reinforced for cars. The impressive stone footbridge, where there was originally a drawbridge, has a stone arch, the remains of an earlier barbican. The gardens also comprise mature deciduous trees, including weeping willows around the moat.

An open fronted barn providing garaging, storage and a temperature controlled wine store is next to the parking area and a gravelled drive leads from the principal driveway to outbuildings, comprising barns, one of which was formerly used as stabling and storage, as well as a tennis court.

There is also an outdoor swimming pool with electric cover.

There are two grass fields at Gaunt House with parkland trees and strips of woodland. These provide ideal grazing. There is also single bank fishing on the River Windrush.

The Summer House
Flexible secondary accommodation with entrance lobby/utility room, kitchen/breakfast room and open plan sitting room, 2 en suite bedrooms, dressing room, further bedroom and garden room.

The Cottage
Adjacent to the house, The Cottage comprises a kitchen/living area, bedroom and separate bathroom.