An Elegant Georgian home with a contemporary edge.

Description

Situated in a conservation area, Rock House is an elegant Georgian home understood to date from c.1800 which, not listed, offers a unique and striking combination of a period home and contemporary living. The history of the house is closely linked with the town’s famous blanket industry, it is thought that it was owned by a wool merchant called Henry Salmon, before passing during the 19th century, to members of the Early family who founded the town’s famous blanket company ‘Early’s of Witney’.

The house is well set back from the largely pedestrian Puck Lane and has a handsome symmetrical stuccoed front façade with French and sash windows and boasts a modern two storey extension in zinc and chestnut, designed by Robert Dye Associates (RIBA Manser Medal winners) which was added by the current owners in 2012.

An elegant double front door with blue stained glass fanlight above, opens onto the entrance hall, which runs from front to back of the house, with the original staircase and the back door, again with stained glass panels, leading to the driveway at the rear of the property.

The property retains many classic Georgian architectural deep skirting boards, original fireplaces, working shutters and sash windows and yet the house has been completely remodelled to create spacious and balanced living and dining spaces. There is underfloor heating throughout the ground floor with reclaimed teak parquet flooring in the original part of the house.
The stylish modern extension comprises a beautiful light kitchen/breakfast room, with sliding doors leading to a south facing terrace, perfect for entertaining, a home office with bamboo flooring and a utility room. The kitchen, with a large Corian work island, is equipped with Bosh and Miele appliances including steam and convection ovens, induction hob, a gas ring for wok cooking, fridge, freezer and dish washer.
With four double bedrooms on the first floor, the principal bedroom has been extended to add a balcony, a dressing room and en-suite bathroom.

As part of the renovation programme, renewable energy and low environmental impact were integral to the overall design to make the property as energy efficient as possible given its age, with 12 solar-PV panels, which generate a Feed-In-Tariff payment, a solar-thermal unit generating hot water, a mechanical ventilation heat recovery (MVHR) system and a rainwater harvesting system. Although currently on a gas boiler the central heating system has been plumbed to accept an air source heat pump in an effort to future-proof the system.

Outside, gardens to the front are mainly laid to lawn, with mature trees and vegetation and a pedestrian gate to Puck Lane. To the rear of the house there is a vegetable garden, green house, parking for several vehicles, a double garage and store room.

Vehicular access is from Mill Street on a private drive, owned by Rock House, over which the attached no45 has right of way.

Location

Rock House is ideally situated within easy walking distance of the centre of the bustling Cotswold market town of Witney which itself lies about 12.5 miles west of the city of Oxford. With an extensive range of amenities including independent shops and high-street chains, the town is also well served for educational and recreational facilities. Communication is good with regular bus services to Oxford and surrounding villages. Oxford Parkway (10.5 miles) and Hanborough (5.8 miles) provide regular train services to London Marylebone (60 minutes) and London Paddington (70 minutes) respectively. The M40 (J8), about 18 miles, gives access to London and the south.

Square Footage: 2,432 sq ft



Directions

From Oxford take the A40 west towards Cheltenham and take the first exit to Witney, proceed towards the town centre. Upon reaching the first mini roundabout turn left onto a second roundabout and keep left to town centre. After a short distance at the next roundabout turn right to Mill Street, proceed past Puck Lane on the left and, immediately after, turn into the drive no.45 Mill Street just before the pedestrian traffic lights.

Additional Info

Services - Mains gas, electricity, water and drainage are connected to the property. Gas-fired central heating. Mechanical Ventilaton Heat Recovery (MVHR) system, underfloor heating, solar thermal energy, PV energy and rainwater harvester.

Local Authority - West Oxfordshire District Council

Council Tax - Band G