South Hills, Brill, Buckinghamshire, HP18

Historical note
Dating back to the 17th century, Ley Hill was formerly five miller’s cottages associated with the Grade II* listed windmill situated high up on the common, above the property. The windmill is one of the oldest and best preserved ?post mills’ in England.

The property
A charming, detached period property that, over the last 20 years, has been beautifully modernised and extended to meet the requirements of 21st century living, whilst retaining many interesting and period features, including exposed timber beams, flagstone and elm timber flooring, and original fireplaces.

The house is arranged to provide almost 3,500 square feet of flexible living space, with many of the rooms enjoying far-reaching views over the Vale of Aylesbury. The house is entered via an 18th century French oak door opening into the reception hall that creates a striking first impression, with its impressive exposed beam vaulted ceiling and Blue Lias stone slab flooring. The reception rooms include the elegant drawing room featuring a fireplace with inset logburner, and a window seat overlooking the countryside.

The dining room, with 17th century wide elm floorboards, features an inglenook fireplace, timber beams overhead, and French doors showcasing the stunning views and opening out to the gardens. The sitting room, with under-floor heating, a fireplace with log burner, and built-in TV, creates a further comfortable space in which to relax, while the 24ft studio is the perfect setting for home working and/or entertaining. This room benefits from underfloor heating and could be utilised as an additional bedroom, serviced by the adjacent bathroom (also with underfloor heating).

Also on the ground floor, the well-appointed kitchen/breakfast room is fitted with a bespoke range of units, a stainless steel hot cupboard with halogen overhead heater, a central island with Butcher Block granite top incorporating a champagne trough with removable top, integrated Miele appliances, an induction hob, an Aga. The kitchen also has under-floor heating and Luton scene setting lighting. The adjacent utility/boot room is host to a cloakroom/ gardener’s wc and is fitted with wall and base units, a butler sink, freezer, a Samsung wine cooler, and washing machine and dryer.

Two staircases provide access to the first floor accommodation, where there is the principal suite comprising a dual aspect bedroom with useful storage on a mezzanine level, an expansive sitting/dressing room, and a luxurious marble bathroom with under-floor heating and scene-setting Lutron lighting. There are three further bedrooms including a guest bedroom with suite shower room.

Ley Hill enjoys a highly sought-after position, on the edge of the common in the picturesque village of Brill, surrounded by beautiful countryside.

Due to its elevated position, the property enjoys panoramic views over rolling countryside, towards Oxford. The village, well known for its historic windmill, has several local amenities, including convenience stores, public houses, a primary school, parish church, and a village green.

Further amenities are available in the market town of Thame, and Oxford is just 11 miles away, providing access to excellent shopping, leisure and cultural facilities in its historic centre.

Further schooling in the area includes wellregarded Brill School, and the independent Ashfold School, Stowe School, Headington Girls School, Rye St. Antony, Oxford High School, and St. Edwards.

The area is well connected by road, with the M40 (Junctions 7, 8 and 9) less than 10 miles away, while mainline rail services are available at Haddenham and Thame Parkway.

Accessed from the kitchen via a vine covered pergola walk, the folly is constructed of reclaimed materials and houses a large built-in barbeque/fireplace and, combined with the block paved seating area, provides superb dining and entertaining space. Detachable canvas roll-down blinds with vision panels, provide shelter during the cooler days.

The property is set within enchanting gardens and grounds that take full advantage of the breathtaking views across the surrounding countryside. At the front of the house there are several areas of formal lawn with border hedgerow and shrubs, paved pathways and various mature trees, as well as views of the Grade II* Listed Brill Windmill.

At the rear there is expansive gravel terracing, with fields falling away beyond the gardens, to reveal the far-reaching views. The grounds also include a timber-framed, fully insulated home office, which is ideal as private workspace, with two adjacent storage units, both fully fitted with metal shelving/lighting. Extensive parking is available on a gravel driveway at the front of the property.