East St. Helen Street, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14

Charming and historic grade II listed riverside home with full riparian and mooring rights.

Description

Grade II listed, dating back to 1700, Riverside House, originally two houses, has been a boat building yard, garage and coal merchants. In the 1980’s the house was renovated, returning it to a residential property, and extended, creating larger living areas and further bedrooms.

During their tenure, the present owners have further renovated the house, which now provides a wonderful and rare opportunity, to acquire a family home on the edge of The River Thames.

The front door opens to an entrance hall with green marble flooring. Stairs drop to a striking open plan sitting and dining room. Bifold doors span the east facing wall and open to a large terrace, with stunning views of the river beyond. This lovely room has oak flooring and a large fireplace with wood burning stove within. Just beyond is the garden room with full width bifold doors to both the southerly and easterly aspects, allowing for a wonderful entertaining space, whatever the weather.

The kitchen, refitted in 2018, has contemporary base and wall units beneath striking granite worktops, housing a Neff oven, gas hob and Samsung American fridge freezer.

Beyond the kitchen, a rear hall leads down to the snug at the front of the house, also with a large fireplace, with stove within and large walk in storage. Off the hall is a utility room, cloakroom and stairs down to a large dry cellar with wooden wine racking to one wall.

On the first floor, the dual aspect principal bedroom has in-built wardrobes and an en suite bathroom. There are two further bedrooms and a shower room. A door opens to a second staircase, winding to the second floor, within the eaves of the house, with exposed beams. There are two good sized bedrooms, a sitting room, shower and cloakroom. This staircase also drops to the rear hallway by the back door.

Approached through full height wooden and iron gates, the car port and driveway allow parking for up to eight cars.

The gardens are a delight. Large stone terracing spans the garden, bordered by mellowed red brick and stone walling. A wide lawn slopes down to the riverside terrace and mooring, with tree canopies providing shade for hot days. Borders are well stocked with shrubs and roses and an ancient wisteria grows along the southern aspect of the house and terrace. Wonderful views stretch over the river and Nags Head Island to the natural flood plain beyond.

There is a large brick built garden store with power which would make an ideal office or study space.

With a nod to the buildings previous life, the gate lodge still houses a small iron fireplace with ancient iron safe above.

A pump from the river provides all water for garden irrigation.

Location

East St Helen Street, one of the oldest in the country, and reputedly the prettiest in England, according to the poet, John Betjeman. Riverside House sits in an elevated position with The Thames meandering past at the end of the garden. There is a wealth of riverside footpaths, trails and activities to explore and enjoy.

A weekly market, monthly farmers market, and two large supermarkets, make for convenient everyday shopping. A Leisure Centre and Tilsley Park offer extensive sporting facilities. There are also rugby and rowing clubs in the town.

A wide choice of schools, both state and private, in the town include the highly regarded St Helen and St Katharine’s and Abingdon Schools and John Mason School, rated ‘Good’ in its last Ofsted report.

The A34 links to the national road and rail network via the M4, M40 and Didcot Parkway respectively.

Square Footage: 3,585 sq ft



Directions

Exit the A34 towards Abingdon. Take 2nd exit off the next 2 roundabouts. At traffic lights turn left onto Stratton Way. At next traffic lights turn right onto Stert Street. At the market square carry straight on into East St Helen Street with the Town Hall immediately on the right. The property is towards the end of the street on the left.

Additional Info

Services - All mains services are connected. Gas central heating. Fibre broadband.

Council Tax - Band G

Brochure prepared and photos taken April 2024