Enchanting country house in Oxfordshire adorned with intriguing witch marks
The Grade II listed property sits in the centre of sought-after village Garsington.

The Old Kennels, formerly of Christ Church College, is a six-bedroom country house in the attractive hilltop village of Garsington, Oxfordshire.
It is grade II listed with a wealth of period features, including intriguing witch marks, and is on the market with Knight Frank for £2,250,000.
The attractive home has limestone ashlar walls under a tiled roof with many period features, including a panelled front door believed to date from the 17th century, open fireplaces at the centre of its reception rooms, and many exposed beams.
It sits in a one-acre plot with paddock, and is connected to a large partially converted barn and brick-built former stables.
The Old Kennels opens to a large entrance hall, which leads to a spacious kitchen/dining room with vaulted ceilings and Crittall-style windows and doors on two aspects. Above the kitchen is a cosy mezzanine sitting room.
The rest of the accommodation is set across three floors and includes a generous dual aspect drawing room, a study overlooking the garden, six bedrooms and three bathrooms.
One of the homes interesting features is its beams inscribed with rare witches marks. The engravings were believed to have turned away evil, providing protection to the building and those who lived or worked within it.
Sign up for the Country Life Newsletter
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
From the kitchen is a door out to a large, almost fully converted room within the barn with cobbled flooring. This room could be fully converted with minimal work and integrated into the house.
Outside, beautiful walled gardens include a large paved terrace for outdoor dining next to the house, and another raised dining area at the top of the garden under a pergola and mature vines.
The gardens lead to the paddock, which occupies one of the highest points in the village and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
The Old Kennels in Garsington, Oxford, is listed with Knight Frank for £2,250,000.
Garsington, Oxford: What you need to know
- Location: The Old Kennels is in the centre of Garsington, a well-connected village on the edge of Oxford. The village is six miles to the south east of the city centre. The M40 and A34 are within easy reach, Oxford mainline station gives access to London Paddington and Oxford Parkway provides services to Marylebone.
- Atmosphere: Garsington is home to a pub which serves food, a village hall and sports/social club, hosting football and cricket. The popular village is within easy access of the many amenities and attractions of Oxford.
- Schools: There is a good village school as well as a selection of independent schools in Oxford and Abingdon. Also within catchment area of the village is highly-rated Wheatley Park secondary school. Find more properties in the area
Credit: Callum Swan
11 beautiful homes for sale around the world today
Enjoy our selection of some of the greatest homes for sale right now around the world, as seen in Country
15 outstanding country houses for sale, as seen in Country Life
We take a look at some of the finest country houses to come to the market via Country Life in
-
If heaven is on earth, it might be in this home with a converted chapel that is now a swimming pool
5 Wood Barton Town House is part of an exclusive 80-acre development in Devon that also comes with fishing rights on the River Avon and four bedrooms.
By James Fisher Published
-
An Italian-inspired recipe for lemon-butter pasta shells with spring greens, ricotta and pangrattato
Spring greens are just about to come into their own, so our Kitchen Garden columnist reveals exactly what to do with them.
By Melanie Johnson Published
-
If heaven is on earth, it might be in this home with a converted chapel that is now a swimming pool
5 Wood Barton Town House is part of an exclusive 80-acre development in Devon that also comes with fishing rights on the River Avon and four bedrooms.
By James Fisher Published
-
The sounds of spring and stained glass in an Arts-and-Crafts masterpiece in Dorset
With 35 acres, more than 10 bedrooms, a swimming pool and tennis court, Winterfield has it all.
By James Fisher Published
-
An eight-bedroom wonder in East Sussex where the outdoors are an adventure
The interiors of Old Middleton are pretty good too.
By Arabella Youens Published
-
A lakeside farmhouse on the market in the beautiful heart of Pembrokeshire
A lake, streams, 15 acres and five bedrooms. Rogershook might have it all.
By James Fisher Published
-
An idyllic countryside home that's light, spacious and comes with a Grade II-listed folly
Hagg House is a gorgeous family home that just happens to have a miniature castle in the gardens. Annabel Dixon explains more.
By Annabel Dixon Published
-
A historic villa for sale on the Via Nomentana worthy of Rome's rich history
Three floors, lots of balconies, and a private garden in one of Rome's loveliest neighbourhoods.
By James Fisher Published
-
Eight bedrooms of unlisted Edwardian elegance with sweeping views of Somerset
Ashton House sits near the market town of Chard and comes with a wealth of amenities both inside and out.
By Arabella Youens Published
-
A waterside cottage in Devon with a private quay, idyllic views and the prettiest summerhouse we've seen in years
Right beside the picturesque Yealm Estuary, No 1 Noss Mayo is an idyllic home that feels like an escape from the world. Annabel Dixon takes a look.
By Annabel Dixon Last updated