East St. Helen Street, Abingdon, OX14

Tucked away behind the beautiful Town Hall building, East St Helen Street is one of the oldest streets in the country and reputedly the prettiest in England according to John Betjeman. The River Thames meanders nearby, providing delightful riverside footpaths, trails and activities. A weekly market, monthly farmers market and two supermarkets, make for convenient everyday shopping. There is an excellent choice of both state and private schools in the town. There are regular rail services from Didcot Parkway and Haddenham & Thame Parkway to London Paddington and Marylebone respectively. The A34 links to the greater motorway network via the M4 and M40.

This endearing home has a story dating back to the medieval era. The apex of a dwelling from that time is still visible in the sitting room, as is stonework in the base of the well, now lit, forming a fascinating feature in the kitchen. The present house dates to the C17th with later additions, mostly Georgian, making up the delightful home it is today. The original stone flagged hallway leads straight through to the welcoming kitchen/breakfast room with French doors to the west facing garden. A lantern roof light provides the room with natural light. The enchanting sitting room has a large open fireplace, elm floorboards and beams. Stairs from the hall lead down to the oldest part of the house now providing a generous sized study with evidence of the original bread oven.

Outside, the walls enclosing the private garden recount its history. At the base of one is the top of an arch dating back to earlier settlements in the street. The garden comprises a stone slabbed terrace, small lawn, mature shrubs a garden shed and offers a lovely sense of seclusion and wellbeing which belies its town centre habitat.

Directions
From our offices in Stert Street following the one way direction bearing left just after the traffic lights and then immediately left into East St Helen Street.