A beguiling country house in Oxfordshire that combines fascinating period architecture with pretty gardens
'Wonderfully eclectic and individual', Blenheim House fuses Georgian and Victorian architecture to form a unique and totally charming family home. Annunciata Elwes takes a look.


Grade II-listed Blenheim House, in the village of Warborough, not far from market town Wallingford, has long been a much cherished family home.
A mixture of two 18th-century cottages, combined with a Victorian hexagonal tower in 1910 and another hexagonal wing added in 1912, the result is an airy six-bedroom property, with a lovely drawing room and dining room, both of which open into the garden, a west-facing conservatory and a lantern roof flooding the upper floor with natural light.
The property is currently on the market via Savills with a guide price if £2.75 million.
A two-bedroom cottage at the end of the drive is attached to two enclosed stables, one of which provides further accommodation.
The nearly 1½ acres also include a swimming pool, semi-circular pleached hornbeam hedge echoing the shape of a stone fountain and a paddock currently frothing with cow parsley, through which mown paths meander.
Blenheim House is currently on the market via Savills with a guide price of £2.75 million — see more pictures, or enquire with the agent for further details.
Warborough: What you need to know
Location: South Oxfordshire, 9 miles south of Oxford and 2.5 miles from Wallingford.
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
Atmosphere: The pretty village is home to a popular pub — The Six Bells, a post office, village shop, primary school, village hall and a cricket and rugby pitch.
Things to do: There are a number of walking trails along the banks of the River Thames that can be accessed from the village, and neighbouring Wallingford is home to independent shops and a 000market. Oxford is also within easy reach, with a large selection of restaurants, pubs, the Botanic Gardens and Medieval architecture.
Schools: Plenty of excellent options to choose from in the area, with St Laurence Church of England (A) School, Cranford House, Radley College, Abingdon School and Headington School.
See more property for sale in the area.
Credit: Strutt and Parker
Best country houses for sale this week
An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for
Annunciata is director of contemporary art gallery TIN MAN ART and an award-winning journalist specialising in art, culture and property. Previously, she was Country Life’s News & Property Editor. Before that, she worked at The Sunday Times Travel Magazine, researched for a historical biographer and co-founded a literary, art and music festival in Oxfordshire. Lancashire-born, she lives in Hampshire with a husband, two daughters and a mischievous pug.
-
‘Some people find it a bit daunting being faced with a big beast and a couple of utensils’: Mitch Tonks on the perfect seafood platter
Mitch Tonks creates the ultimate fisherman’s feast using crab, langoustines and of course, oysters.
By Will Hosie Published
-
The ring ouzel: The mystery behind the common blackbird's feral twin
A master of disguise, inexplicably shy and unpredictably wild, the increasingly rare ring ouzel warrants giving any blackbird a second glance.
By Mark Cocker Published
-
Location, community and charm: the enduring desirability of London's mews houses
From birds, to horses, to beautiful family homes, the mews of London are some of the nation's most sought-after homes. But why?
By James Fisher Published
-
The distinctive and historic home that might just be 'one of Dorset’s most picturesque'
Grade II*-listed Manor House, set in just under eight acres, dates from the 16th century.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
A 17th century farmhouse in Surrey with one of Britain's oldest squash courts
Fords Farm is on the market for the first time in over half a century.
By Penny Churchill Last updated
-
The 15 best-value commuter towns for people working in London, according to new research from one of Britain's top estate agents
Savills have released their list of the best-value commuter towns in Britain. But do the sums add up? Toby Keel takes a look.
By Toby Keel Published
-
What everyone is talking about this week: Where are the new Cotswolds?
The appearance of American Vice President J. D. Vance in the Cotswolds is a sure sign that they're saturated, but where else can you escape to that has the same charm?
By Will Hosie Published
-
19 outstanding country homes, from £450,000 to £20 million, as seen in Country Life
A spectacular country house in Yorkshire and an enormously impressive Channel Islands retreat are among the stand-out homes on the market this week.
By Toby Keel Published
-
Three homes down by the Thames, perfect for those who love messing about on boats
This summer’s scorching temperatures will no doubt have endorsed the perennial appeal of Thames-side houses with frontage and private access to the river. Penny Churchill and Toby Keel pick out some prime examples.
By Toby Keel Published
-
A pavilion, pool and pleasure gardens at this Devon country house 'with not another building in sight'
Ebberly House is a majestic country house in Devon built by one of John Soane's pupils — and as it comes to the market, it's a place Penny Churchill knows well.
By Penny Churchill Published