Oxfordshire architect Malcolm Brain has put his design skills into practice with a wonderful conversion of buildings at Bloxham Grove Farm. This former farm is on the edge of Bloxham, a large ironstone village just outside Banbury, and commands extensive rural views over North Oxfordshire.  On the market are four major farm buildings converted in to quality homes, as well as Bloxham Grove Farmhouse, which has scope for extension.

Malcolm Brain has years of experience in developments in sensitive rural locations, as well as barn conversions, and his work has won several accolades, including a Daily Mail New Home Design Award. At Bloxham Grove Farm, he has restored traditional farm structures dating back to the 17th century and converted them into modern, spacious homes with thoughtful attention to architectural detail. 

Each home is individual, with its own layout and period features such as exposed ancient beams and open fireplaces. There are handcrafted kitchens with granite worktops, stone flooring and quality kitchen appliances and bathroom suites. 

Arranged around a courtyard setting, each home has its front entrance outwards-facing, to take advantage of views over the surrounding countryside, and a south-facing walled garden.  All of the homes have large sitting/reception rooms, and vary in size. The Brew House has two bedrooms and a magnificent brick fireplace with original built-in bread oven.  The Laundry has four bedrooms, a large sitting room and a huge, 25-foot kitchen/dining room.  Next door, The Stables is a long building also on two floors.  Most of the ground floor is open plan living space, providing a spacious environment for modern family living. There are four bedrooms, including one ensuite and a large entrance hall.  The Coach House is a charming two-bedroom conversion with sitting room and kitchen/dining room. 

Bloxham Grove Farmhouse is stone-built and dates from the 17th & 18th Century. Renovation is required to bring it up to date as a modern family home, and there is planning permission for a two-storey extension.   The house is brimming with period features, including an inglenook fireplace, exposed beams and original architraves. A large entrance hall leads to a bright, spacious sitting room with a bay window and door overlooking the gardens.  There are six bedrooms in all, four on the first floor and a further two on the top. 

Bloxham Grove Farm was acquired with Listed Building Consent to convert the barns and extend the farmhouse.  Malcolm Brain says why he chose the site:  “The beauty of Bloxham Grove is that it is located on the edge of such a popular village, and surrounded by lovely countryside and even a small windmill. New-build homes would not be granted Planning Permission in such a location, so this makes the site unique, the like of which is in ever-decreasing supply.”

The historical nature of the buildings presented a design challenge for Malcolm:  “I have set out to strike a fine balance between providing comfortable, eco-friendly and well-insulated homes that are built to modern-day standards, whilst retaining and enhancing the charm and character features of such historic working buildings.” Anyone who takes a look around Bloxham Grove Farm will agree that he has clearly achieved this fine blend.

Prices start from £415,000.