Rectory Drive, Waddesdon, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP18

Elegant Victorian rectory, set within attractive gardens, with outstanding views

Description

The Old Rectory is a grand Victorian country residence set in about 1.4 acres with spectacular views. Originally built in the late 16th century, the house was reconstructed in 1868 by the renowned gothic revival architect William White (see History.) Arranged over three floors, it has been extensively updated and improved over the past decade resulting in a spacious and comfortable home with a flexible layout, ideal for a modern family. The house, which is not listed, has a fascinating history and still exhibits many of its original features including the impressive entrance vestibule and central entrance hall with Victorian floor tiles and historic staircase, huge stunning bay windows and the architect’s signature carpentry and door furniture. The wraparound gardens are private and practical, offering mature shrubs, lawns and ancient hedgerows as well as a tennis court with panoramic views over the Vale of Aylesbury.

Description
The Old Rectory is approached from the quiet lane via wrought iron electric gates leading to a gravelled carriage driveway, adjacent to which there is parking for several cars.
The formal entrance is positioned in the centre of the house, via an ornate enclosed vestibule, decorated with stained glass windows and a carved oak pew seat. The grand entrance hall shows The Old Rectory’s Elizabethan past with its striking oak staircase and large stone mullioned window yet the patterned floor tiles are unmistakably Victorian. The staircase is a rare example remaining from the period and the panelling and carved finials add to the impression of grandeur.

The ground floor rooms interconnect giving the house an excellent flow and all have large windows or doors overlooking the gardens, adding to the feeling of light and space.
There are three formal reception rooms; the music room, the drawing room and the dining room. Facing south, they are elegant entertaining spaces with huge windows, high ceilings and original working fireplaces. Most notably, the drawing room and dining room feature the property’s impressive bay windows with seating, period shutters and cornicing. The detailed door and window furniture throughout the house is also noteworthy and beautifully preserved.

The spacious kitchen/breakfast room at The Old Rectory is very much in the 21st Century. Designed and built by the premium German manufacturer Leicht, it includes fully integrated appliances, a large granite island, underfloor heating, plenty of space to sit and dine and a ‘Fire Belly’ double-sided multi-fuel burner. The room is dual aspect with extra wide French doors opening onto the entertaining terrace. The kitchen leads to a wet room/cloakroom, a playroom or study, the wine cellar and then onto the extensive utility zone. This includes a utility/laundry room, plant room and boot room and then the large gym, situated in the converted garage with full-length glass doors overlooking the gardens and extraordinary views.

Leading from the galleried landing, the first floor is currently configured for a modern family. The principal bedroom suite includes a large, bright bedroom with a working original fire and bay window seat with views over the gardens, dressing room, and a generously sized ensuite with a striking slate walled walk-in shower and twin vanity sinks. Nearby on this level, the children’s bedrooms are each a suite of two double-size interconnecting rooms sharing a family bathroom. For guests, there is a suite of rooms and ensuite bathroom situated at the back of the house. This flexible layout means that there could be 6 bedrooms on this floor, if required.
The former servants’ quarters on the second floor are light and bright and are currently used as an office with a separate study/bedroom and en suite bathroom. There is also a really useful attic room accessed from another set of stairs and extra storage.

Gardens and Land
The Old Rectory sits in the centre of its sizeable plot amounting to about 1.4 acres

The landscaped gardens and grounds are very private with plenty of mature shrubs and tree cover. To the front, a large, sunny lawn sets off the house and enhances the general sense of space, whilst the maze and ancient box hedge nod to the property’s distinguished past. The shaped, stone entertaining terrace with fitted barbeque is designed to enjoy the sunsets and is accessed from the kitchen. There is also an orchard, greenhouse and large storage shed. To the rear, along the northern boundary is the tennis court with its striking panoramic views over the Vale of Aylesbury which really need to be seen to be fully appreciated.

Location

The Old Rectory is located in a secluded position at the end of a private drive in the sought-after and historic village of Waddesdon, to the north east of Oxford.

The property is close to the Rothschild family’s Waddesdon Manor, allowing convenient access to the estate’s extensive parkland for country walks, and to this National Trust property for a wide range of activities and events. The village itself is thriving with pubs, cafes, restaurants and a hotel, a doctor’s and dentist surgery as well as a shop and outstanding schools.

Further shopping, supermarkets and leisure facilities are available in Aylesbury, Thame and Bicester. There are several golf courses nearby including the award-winning championship venue, The Oxfordshire which is 12 miles away. Waddesdon is also convenient for transport links to London, just 3 miles from Aylesbury Vale Parkway Station with direct trains to London Marylebone and the nearby M40 motorway which provides excellent road access to Heathrow and Birmingham Airports.

Square Footage: 6,437 sq ft



Directions

From London M40, exit at Junction 9 Bicester. Follow the A41 towards Aylesbury. Upon entering Waddesdon village, Rectory Drive is the first turning on the left. The Old Rectory can be found straight ahead through high wrought iron gates.
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Additional Info

Schooling
There is a wide choice of highly acclaimed schools in the area, both state and private, including Stowe, Ashfold Preparatory, Swanbourne House and Waddesdon’s outstanding Secondary School and Aylesbury’s renowned Grammar Schools.

Historic Information
The first rectory in Waddesdon was built in 1590. In 1867, the famous Gothic revival architect William White persuaded the Oxford Diocese that the building was not befitting of its occupant and that he should design a new rectory. They agreed on the condition that as much existing material be used and consequently the Elizabethan Oak Staircase and stone window in the entrance hall have survived to this day. William White was noted for his attention to detail including his use of quality design and materials throughout, not just in the ‘best’ rooms. The house exhibits a number of his specialties including the window furniture, door knobs, diagonal boarding (see doors in the main rooms and ceiling in the entrance hall), gothic chimneys and spectacular external brickwork. There are various documents relating to the house in the Oxford Record Office and Oxford Diocese Library. The Old Rectory was owned by the Oxford Diocese until 1966 after which it became a private residence.

Services
Mains Gas. Mains Electric. Mains Drainage. Fibre Broadband in the village.