Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX2 6BE

Welcome to Nelson House. When estate agents use the 'unusual' 'unique' & 'interesting' adjectives to describe a property, the reality rarely lives up to the description. However, this property deserves all of these and possibly one or two others such is the way it has evolved over time!

Originally one of Jericho's many pubs - this one was the 'New Inn' - it was converted years ago to become a spacious, many bedroomed family home, retaining an adjacent cottage. 

Eighteen years ago, Nelson House as it was renamed, was bought by the present owner whose family at that time numbered seven children. The attraction was being able to buy such a large - 3775 sqft of living accommodation - property in the centre of Jericho, a charming enclave of once tradesmen’s terraced cottages - slap bang in the centre of Oxford! 

There are two separate properties that make up Nelson House - three if you include the studio/garage - and if that sounds confusing, taking a good look at the floorplan would help get your bearings whilst reading the following attempt at the property description:  

The main house is a classic and rather attractive double fronted detached period building - thankfully, not listed - with two reception rooms, a kitchen and extended kitchen/dining/family room on the ground floor. Now to the first floor where you will find four bedrooms including a complete bedroom suite (bedroom, dressing room, bathroom and private outdoor terrace), a family bathroom and oh so practical.... a laundry room! Then, upwards to the second floor is a 'suite' of three interconnecting rooms which, shall we say would work for a couple of teenagers each having their own bedroom either side of a shared sitting/communal room AND access to their very own roof terrace.... would that I might have had that luxury all those years ago!

The house retains some lovely period features including the stone flagged floor in the entrance hall, Georgian style wooden sash windows and original fireplaces. 

Now to the second property included in the curtilage - the Coach House. Actually, whilst referred to as a 'Coach House' it is nevertheless a detached self contained Jericho cottage with its own separate entrance, hallway, sitting room and kitchen/dining room on the ground floor and three bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor. With 824sqft of living space, this is larger than many of the houses in Jericho and actually has its own separate courtyard garden. AirBnB, separate guest accommodation? 

Lastly, as an added bonus perhaps, there is a separate ground floor studio flat converted from what used to be the garage...

Then, what do we have outside? Well, we don't have extensive grounds or manicured lawns but we do have a lovely, very private courtyard garden and yes, it does get the sun and whilst it is a charming feature as it is, given the explosion in specialist companies offering amazing solutions to small outside spaces - think London townhouses here - I dare say there is real potential to be had in this space. It’s probably worth mentioning at this point the peace and quiet of this location - no noisy nearby roads ! 

And now to Jericho for those not in the know. This very defined community comprising mainly small terraced cottages was originally built to house the many workers employed at the adjacent Lucy Ironworks Foundry and the Oxford University Press - the former long since gone to be replaced by canalside luxury apartments. Jericho has been undergoing a natural, slow process of regeneration and it's true to say if you are going to live in Oxford, this is an enviable place to be. Have a car by all means but you'll only be using it to get to places away from Oxford. Walk easily to... oh I don't know, in no particular order: the Sheldonian Theatre, Ashmolean Museum, Bodelian Library, Radcliffe Camera, most of Oxford's venerated Colleges that make up the Universtity of Oxford….. Westgate Shopping centre even if you must! Without being too flippant though, a pleasant Canal walk gets you to Oxford station and a fifty minute train journey to Central London (Paddington).

More locally, St Barnabas Church has a vibrant, eclectic local congregation and is very much part of the beating heart of the community. Walton Street is the de facto go to for being a part of the community with its many excellent cafes and restaurants AND a Sainsburys all in a short stretch and within an even shorter walk! And if its open countryside you think you'll missing, a ten minute pleasant canal side stroll brings you right to the entrance of Port Meadow, 340 acres of publicly accessible open land with the River Thames flowing right through it. An SSSI (Site of Scientific Special Interest), Port Meadow brings the Countryside almost to your doorstep with amazing walks, wild swimming, canoeing and sailing (Medley Sailing Club) together with award winning gastro pubs thrown in - Google the Perch and the Trout Inns.

If you're looking to use Nelson House as a family home then you'll be pleased to know that there are plenty of great private and state schools in Nearby North Oxford all easily accessible by bicycle - very much Oxfords preferred mode of transport!

Welcome to Nelson House, something a little unusual indeed!