When Nick and Lyn Middle could not find the home of their dreams in the Cotswolds, they considered building their own property, until they discovered a house that had the perfect mix of traditional and modern features.

Nick said: "We had been looking for quite some time for a traditional Cotswold stone house - the quintessential North Oxfordshire village home - but we could not find what we wanted.

"This meant I was seriously looking for a plot of land to project manage my own build. However, we decided to view Hampton House at Murcot. I was not expecting much, but the design, which used traditional materials, was almost exactly what I had in mind to build."

Neither Nick nor Lyn regrets the decision to buy rather than build. Nick said: "We have really enjoyed living in this house as it was designed to be attractive, practical, spacious and light. The drawing room is south and west facing, so it gets every last ray of sunlight all-year-round.

"We commissioned the Burford Garden Centre to landscape the garden and planting plan and so there is now something of interest all year round. Being in such an open setting on the edge of the village, makes this a quiet house with a private garden that has a real feeling of space."

But now, a decade later, the couple have decided to move on, and the property is back on the market through Oxford agents Kemp & Kemp.

Nick explained: "We are downsizing and plan to spend more time in warmer climes. I do want to build a new home now - but this house will be a hard act to follow. While I never did get to build from scratch, this house has all the benefits of a new build and we have been very happy here."

Hampton House is a high-quality family home with a large studio/workshop in the grounds. It is only 15 years old and has been built of traditional materials.

Gavin West, of Kemp & Kemp Residential, said: "Both the house and the garden are unexpectedly large and have been maintained to a high standard.

"The house has been decorated with an eye for detail in contemporary colours that enhance the practical living spaces.

"It has a well-crafted balance between traditional and modern. For example, there is a particularly pretty Victorian tiled fireplace and hearth in the dining room while the kitchen (pictured) is sleek, modern and fitted with high-specification units and appliances."

Gavin added: "The property has a magnificent entrance hall with a solid hardwood staircase and travertine floor. There are five bedrooms and three bathrooms. The en-suite bathroom to the master bedroom is the epitome of contemporary chic."

Hampton House has an integral double garage. The workshop/studio is a timber building and has potential for a variety of uses.

The garden faces south and is laid to lawn with high hedges, patio and a pond. There is also a large parking area at the front of the house.

Hampton House has a guide price of £798,000. For more details, call Kemp & Kemp Residential on 01865 510000

4:49pm Friday 28th March 2008

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