House, Cassington Road, Yarnton, Kidlington, Oxfordshire

Designed by renowned architect Charles Ashbee and built in 1907, Byways is Grade II listed and a notable example of Arts and Crafts architecture, documented in Pevsner’s The Buildings of England. The house boasts a handsome façade beneath a gabled stone slate roof, complemented by a wonderfully mature wisteria. Original features abound, including tall sash windows, fireplaces, stair rails and the original brass detailing to the front door, alongside a wealth of bespoke joinery and cabinetry. Thoughtfully extended and comprehensively renovated in 2007, the works included a new roof, updated electrics and modern central heating, while sensitively retaining the character and integrity of Ashbee’s original design.

Arranged over three floors, the well-planned accommodation includes four generous reception rooms that enjoy views over the gardens. The dual-aspect family room and drawing room each feature bay windows, with the drawing room centred around an elegant stone fireplace. The adjoining music room has bespoke built-in shelving and French doors opening to the garden. A formal dining room leads to a breakfast/sitting room in the kitchen with an impressive gabled ceiling and twin French doors to the terrace, creating a natural flow outside for al fresco dining. The kitchen is fitted with light-painted bespoke cabinetry, granite worktops and integrated Miele appliances, and is complemented by a practical utility room with storage and external access, plus a separate laundry room.

The first floor provides the well-appointed principal bedroom suite, with ample fitted wardrobes, a south-east-facing balcony overlooking the beautiful gardens and an en suite shower room. There are four further bedrooms, three of which are double in size, and a family bathroom. Two further bedrooms occupy the second floor and are served by a well-appointed bathroom with a separate shower, making this level particularly well suited to guest accommodation. The upstairs landing has a built-in airing cupboard along its length providing plenty of space for linen storage. An attractive œil-de-bœuf window in the gable end of the bathroom is a charming architectural feature, drawing plenty of natural light to the space.