Church Lane, Dry Sandford, OX13

Quintessentially English and quietly enchanting, St Audries Cottage, with its honeyed stone walls, embodies storybook warmth, nestled in the timelessness of the Oxfordshire countryside in Dry Sandford. 

Character and comfort 

Just a short drive from both Oxford and Abingdon, St Audries Cottage dates back to around 1750, with thoughtful extensions added in 2000 and again in 2014. Now a six-bedroom home, it offers remarkable flexibility - currently arranged as a main four-bedroom home, with an adjoining annexe, ideal for multigenerational living, guests or Airbnb. Historic, yet unlisted, it could also be reconfigured to smoothly suit your family’s rhythm of life. 

Tucked behind a dry-stone wall, St Audries Cottage is framed by lush lawn, where a small wooden gate opens onto a footpath leading to the front door. To the side, a gravel driveway adorned with golden forsythia provides generous parking beneath the open Oxfordshire sky. 

Warmest of welcomes 

Beyond the blue front door, the sitting room radiates warmth and heritage, revealed in the characterful timber beams crossing the ceiling and echoed in the robust beam above the red brick fireplace, where a log-burning stove rests on a slate hearth. Deep-set windows usher in soft daylight from both sides, amplified by whitewashed walls, while a wide alcove beside the fire offers the perfect spot for a dresser or reading nook. 

Continue into the dining room, where an impressive stone inglenook fireplace serves as a natural focal point, enhancing the characterful ambience. Whether hosting family meals, slow suppers or festive occasions beneath the corona-style chandelier, savour good fine fayre and good company alongside far reaching garden and countryside views. 

Savour the view 

Tucked at the quieter end of the home lies the kitchen, refitted in 2014. Here, an electric Aga brings country comfort, joined by space for a dishwasher and washing machine. The conservatory extension provides a peaceful sunroom, perfect for morning coffee or evening unwinding. From here, step out to a walled garden with lawn, mature trees and patio - a haven for alfresco dining and bursting with birdsong. There is also an outside studio for those with artistic leanings. 

And so to bed… 

Returning to the dining room, ascend the stairs to the first-floor landing, where four inviting bedrooms await. With ample storage available in the built-in wardrobes, the principal bedroom is a peaceful retreat, serenely set beneath a sloping ceiling where soft white walls lend a sense of calm. Wake up to idyllic views out over the garden and countryside, before taking a morning shower in the private ensuite. 

A second bedroom is carpeted for comfort, with built-in wardrobes and a gentle palette that makes it ideal for children or guests. A third bedroom - currently used as a study - offers flexibility. Opposite, refresh and revive in the family bathroom where a centrally filling bathtub is bathed in light from a dormer window above. 

With room for all the family, a fourth double bedroom sits quietly above the adjoining studio, ideal for guests or older children seeking a little more independence, privately tucked off the landing, yet still connected to the main home. 

Flexible flow 

Ideal for multigenerational living, guest accommodation or even rental potential, the annexe offers space, privacy and character in equal measure. Furnished with a well-equipped kitchen and ground floor shower room – making it accessible for older relatives or those with mobility requirements – there is also a large sitting room. 

Overflowing with light, windows to two sides invite the outdoors in. A versatile room, with plenty of space for a dining table, a log burner set within a handsome red brick fireplace topped with a solid chestnut-toned beam infuses warmth. 

Upstairs, exposed stone adds character to the generous landing, which leads to two further bedrooms - the largest, providing plenty of storage within built-in wardrobes – both served by a good sized bathroom, fitted in 2012.  

Flexible and inviting, the annexe mirrors the comfort and style of the main home while offering its own sense of independence. 

Out and about 

Step outside and discover the enduring charm of Dry Sandford, a scenic Oxfordshire village where stone-fringed fields, rolling countryside and ancient oaks abound.  

Walks unfold in every direction, from the wild beauty of Cothill Quarry - a popular dog walking spot - and the BBOWT nature reserve to the bluebell woods and trails of Boars Hill and Besselsleigh. 

Call in for a thirst-quencher at the much-loved Greyhound pub, just down the lane, or enjoy a leisurely lunch at The Merry Miller nearby.  

Abingdon and Oxford offer a wider choice of cafés, shops and restaurants, all within easy reach. 

Families are well served, with excellent local and independent schools close by, including Dry Sandford Primary, Abingdon School, The Manor Prep and St Helen and St Katharine. And for commuters, Didcot Parkway is just a short drive away, with swift connections to London Paddington in under 40 minutes. 

A home of heart and heritage, St Audries Cottage offers the perfect blend of countryside calm and connected living. With its flexible layout, bucolic garden and storybook setting in one of Oxfordshire’s most scenic villages, savour the simple pleasures of life, at St Audries Cottage.