Picturesque cottage which stops walkers in their tracks

FOR more than 70 years, Glebe Cottage in Church Lane, North Stoke, has been a mainstay in one family’s life.

Until her passing at 92, Ann Smith lived here happily for decades, with her daughters, Annette and Lesley, growing up within its pink-washed brick walls and leafy garden.

Built in the 1880s and originally two cottages, later joined together in the Fifties, it has seen generations of laughter, local gossip and Ridgeway wanderers pausing to admire the flowers along its fence.

The cottage sits quietly at the end of Church Lane — a no-through road — so peaceful that birdsong is often the loudest sound you’ll hear.

The Norman church nearby, with its medieval wall paintings and Jacobean pulpit, gives the village a timeless air.

From the front garden, you can see a line of handsome period homes, and beyond them the gentle rise of the Chilterns National Landscape.

At the rear, a cluster of trees hides what was once Sir Michael Caine’s country retreat and the lane itself has the sort of cinematic quality that led to Glebe Cottage’s brief moment of fame as a filming location for Midsomer Murders.

Inside, the cottage retains its 19th-century charm — steeply pitched slate roof, open fireplace in the sitting room and original brickwork softened by time.

The three bedrooms upstairs are comfortable and bright, the main one with built-in wardrobes. Downstairs, the kitchen and dining room open off the generous living area.

The house would welcome a gentle modernisation but its bones are solid and full of character. Lesley says: “There’s even room to extend at the front if someone wanted a bit more space, although to us, it has always been just right as it is.”

The garden, lovingly maintained by Annette, is something of a local landmark. A level sweep of lawn framed by flowering borders, it has long drawn compliments from walkers along the ancient Ridgeway path that passes just beyond the gate. There’s also a summerhouse tucked in for peaceful afternoons with a book or a pot of tea. It’s also securely fenced and dog-proofed, a nod to the family’s four-legged members over the years.

North Stoke itself is a short walk from the River Thames and there is an abundance of wildlife here. It also has a strong sense of community along with an easy, neighbourly rhythm — something Lesley treasures. She says: “Everyone looks out for one another here. If someone goes away, the rest of us take care of their pets. It’s that sort of place. We also have a WhatsApp group for sharing news and garden produce.”

The absence of through-traffic makes parking simple and the atmosphere safe and relaxed. For practicalities, the village is perfectly placed. Wallingford, with its Waitrose and market town bustle, is just a couple of miles away. Goring is a few minutes south with mainline trains to London Paddington in under an hour, now connecting to the Elizabeth Line at Reading. Oxford, Henley and the M4 or M40 are all within easy reach.

l Glebe Cottage has a guide price of £550,000, freehold. For more information and to arrange a viewing, call Warmingham & Co on (01491) 874144.