4 bedroom detached house for sale

Welcome to Spring Farm

Spring Farm is a character-filled detached timber-framed house with large double-glazed windows that frame the tranquil countryside beyond and draw natural light throughout its fabulously proportioned living spaces, which include an open-plan dining kitchen, triple-aspect reception rooms, and three spacious double bedrooms. Spring Farm also comes with existing space and scope to add a fourth bedroom on either the ground or first floor.

Constructed by an experienced local builder in 2013, its timber frame and red brick exterior seamlessly blend with the rural landscape while incorporating many modern, energy-saving features, such as underfloor heating throughout, an annually serviced ground source heat pump, and a fully insulated roof with Xtratherm panels.

Keen equestrians, the current owners took advantage of the 1.5 acres of grounds and nine acres of paddocks, which include six brick-built stables, a lockable barn, a tack and feed room, and a manège to fulfil their dream of caring for and riding horses at home.Spring Farm is now ready to offer a new family the chance to experience this amazing lifestyle.

Home Sweet Home

Arriving in the charming and peaceful village of Childrey, carry on to reach Church Row at the north end. You’ll find Spring Farm just off this road, behind a sweeping, recently re-gravelled driveway and lawn screened by hedgerows and mature trees. Passing a detached timber-framed double garage (with double doors and two adjoining storerooms) and space for two cars, you’ll spot the easily accessible barn and stable block straight ahead.

Stepping onto the hedge-bordered terrace at the front of the house, you’re met by a beautiful timber-framed porch and a solid wood door with iron furniture. Quarry floor tiles pair with fresh white walls in the hallway beyond – a convenient space for removing coats and shoes while enjoying a sneak peek of the garden through a deep-set picture window.

Follow the tiles into the utility and boot room on your left. Brightened by big windows to the front and rear, it contains a built-in cupboard housing the heat pump, fuse box, and hot water [SV1] tank. Fitted cabinetry and worktops with a deep Belfast sink and space for laundry appliances complete the set-up.

A Family Hub

Across the hallway, you’ll discover the heart of the home – a fabulous open-plan breakfast kitchen and dining room with French doors to the south-facing terrace and huge dual-aspect picture windows to soak in the blissful country views from every angle.

Begin in the spot-lit kitchen, which was crafted by a local joiner trained by John Lewis of Hungerford. Solid oak worktops run across high-quality shaker-style cabinetry and complement the open shelves, beams, and solid wood floorboards underfoot, which flow through the rest of the ground floor.

An integrated electric Aga adds to the country-chic feel and ensures a warm atmosphere that will draw the family together. There’s also a concealed fridge-freezer and dishwasher, along with a 1.5-bowl sink beneath the window, so you can keep an eye on arrivals while clearing up.

Breakfast in the cosy seating area overlooking the paddocks, take your drinks out of the back door onto the partly sheltered terrace, or head into the living/dining room – another wonderfully bright area featuring a full-height, built-in TV unit and bookcase. Stop here to enjoy a morning coffee or a quiet evening drink on the south-facing terrace beyond the French doors.

Ahead, the morning sun streams in through the two-storey window in the main reception hallway. The solid wood frames match the doorway and a beautiful half-landing oak staircase, bringing character to this impressive space. Open the latched wooden door by the seating area to find a contemporary, part-tiled shower room with a double rainfall shower.

Calm & Quiet

Just off the hallway, exposed timbers frame the soft, neutral walls in the sitting room, echoing the natural landscape visible from the massive, triple-aspect windows. Curl up by the wood burner, perhaps choosing a book from the bespoke shelves filling one side of the room to contemplate and while away the winter.

On the other side of the stairs, the triple-aspect study faces south, east, and west, ensuring perfect lighting conditions for working, adjusted by fitted Roman blinds. Once again, full-height, built-in bookcases serve the space, which would work as a library, studio or craft room. It could also be repurposed as a bedroom, as it has easy access to the shower room.

Retreat Upstairs

Take the light-flooded oak stairs to the first floor, where floorboards run into a spacious, spot-lit family room that capitalises on those excellent views to the front and rear. The east wing houses two well-proportioned double bedrooms. Decorated with soft cream carpets and neutral walls that offset the exposed timbers, they boast wonderful views from the triple-aspect windows.

The rear master also benefits from a large, equally characterful three-piece en suite with an in-built airing cupboard, vanity basin unit, heated towel rail, and traditional tapware. Meanwhile, the bath is positioned by the full-height windows for a luxurious, bubble-top view.

Heading to the west wing, you’ll arrive in a corridor with four built-in cupboards, providing ample storage for clothes, shoes, and accessories. On your left, a Velux window brightens the family bathroom, which features a vanity basin unit incorporating the loo and a bath with a shower over, period-style taps, and a shower attachment.

The final bedroom, lit by Velux windows, is a fantastic size and decorated to match the others. Given the ample storage space in the corridor, a dedicated dressing area or en suite could be added if desired. In addition, the house has two full-height boarded loft spaces with lighting to keep the living areas below clutter-free.

An Equestrian Paradise

Spring Farm has approximately 1.5 acres of garden and yard and nine acres of paddocks. At the front, an extensive lawn dotted with established trees provides a serene backdrop to drinks and al fresco meals on the large terrace by the entrance.

Follow the stone path around the side to discover the rear garden, which feels more formal with its avenue of trees, crisscrossing gravelled pathways, square flower beds, and wooden greenhouse (installed in 2019). The partially sheltered terrace at the back of the house is lovely and sunny and overlooks the lawn and fields rolling into the distance.

On the other side of the driveway, the double garage offers space for cars but would equally make a fantastic workshop, served by two adjoining storerooms and an outdoor log store.

Beyond, you’ll find the equestrian facilities, which include a large, breeze block, partially clad, lockable barn, a wooden building used as a tack and feed room, a six-horse brick-built stable, a riding arena for the horses, and a structure for a muck heap with a concrete base and solid sides made of sleepers. By the barn, a path leads to the paddocks (also accessible from the rear), which are surrounded by a canter track, while a bridleway alongside the property creates an easy route to West Challow.

Out & About

Childrey is a pretty and peaceful, cottage-strewn village about 2.5 miles west of Wantage, tucked away at the foot of the Berkshire Downs on the edge of the Vale of White Horse.

Once known as The Reading Room, the village hall hosts various clubs and gatherings, including the local WI, Tuesday Club, yoga, art classes, pop-up pub, Parish Council meetings, and social events like ‘The Mummers’ on Boxing Day. Nearby is a centuries-old duck pond (originally used for watering livestock) and a playing field.

The village also runs popular community events such as ChildreyFest, Childrey Manor Fete, Childrey Classic Cycling, Bonfire Night celebrations, and regular services in its two churches. Alternatively, join the local football and cricket clubs to burn off some steam.  

For the horses, bridlepaths create a safe route to the Ridgeway ­– an ancient trackway and National Trail that passes near many Neolithic, Iron Age, and Bronze Age sites – and over to Lambourn and Fawley. You’ll also find fantastic cross-country schooling facilities at Boomerang Stables near Hungerford, a superb indoor arena in the village available for hire, and many competition venues within easy reach.

Although the Ridgeway offers fantastic walks to Lambourn and beyond, there are also great circular walks from the house, with White Horse Hill about 4 miles away. Pop into the village store and coffee shop seven days a week to pick up supplies or locally roasted coffee, cake, and pastries, meet friends for a light lunch, or grab sourdough bread, gifts, and homeware.

Near the house, Cantorist Farm is a great little bakery and coffee shop. The current owners also recommend The Greyhound Inn in Letcombe and The Bear for great food and drink. Just down the road, the historic market town of Wantage offers high-street favourites and popular independents to meet your retail needs. It’s also packed with high-end supermarkets, well-reviewed restaurants, and health and leisure facilities.

Getting Around

Rural Childrey is well-connected to the wider area. The B4001 runs through the village and connects to the B4507, which takes you to Wantage in five minutes and Swindon in 30 minutes. Meanwhile, the A420 and A34 provide fast routes to Oxford city centre (40 minutes).

Swindon station runs GWR services to Bristol Temple Meads (37mins), London Paddington (50-60mins), Cardiff Central (56mins), Cheltenham Spa (60mins), and further afield. GWR also serves Hungerford, Kintbury, and Didcot Parkway. The Number 68 bus (Farringdon to Wantage) stops outside the village hall and shop. Heathrow Airport is about a 75-minute drive. 

Schools

Childrey is home to Little Ducks pre-school and Ridgeway C of E primary school, both rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted. A short drive into Wantage will bring you to ‘Outstanding’ schools such as Stockham Primary School and Fitzwaryn Special School (3–19 years), along with the ‘Good’-rated King Alfred’s Academy. You’re also within a 20-minute drive of independents such as Abingdon Prep and Pinewood School, with Oxford home to a range of private options and its world-famous university.