Kirtlington Park

Kirtlington Park is one of England’s finest Palladian country houses of exceptional architectural and historic importance, a magnificent Grade I listed principal house designed by James Gibbs and refined by John Sanderson. It stands within a Capability Brown parkland setting with expansive views towards the Chiltern Hills. The estate is an exceptional Grade I listed property of national architectural significance, set within glorious parkland and enjoying far reaching views.

Built in 1742 for Sir James Dashwood, the house combines magnificent classical reception rooms with extensive secondary accommodation, cottages and beautifully curated gardens and grounds extending to approximately 29 acres. Over recent years, Kirtlington Park has been the subject of a thorough programme of restoration and enhancement, including works to the roof, stonework, windows and interiors, together with upgrades to plumbing, electrical and WiFi infrastructure and the installation of new kitchens and bathrooms.

The house is approached via a long sweeping drive from the edge of the village and is classically composed with a central block flanked by two wings, entered via a grand external staircase rising to the piano nobile. The principal floor is centred around a magnificent hall with fine plasterwork, a spectacular coffered apse and a grand fireplace. At the heart of the house lies the exceptional Saloon with its remarkable 36 foot ceiling, creating a spectacular focal point for both formal entertaining and family life. Leading from the Saloon are a series of elegant reception rooms including the Drawing Room, Monkey Room, Library, Dining Room and Morning Room, enriched by fine chimney pieces, intricate plasterwork and tall sash windows.

The Library has an outstanding Rococo interior with an exquisite plasterwork ceiling formed of lavish arrays of fruit, flowers and foliage. The celebrated Monkey Room features a decorative ceiling painted in 1760 by the French artist Andien de Clermont, depicting monkeys engaged in human pursuits in the mid 18th century style known as singerie. The house also includes two principal oak staircases and two stone spiral staircases rising through the building from top to bottom.

The ground floor provides extensive secondary and leisure accommodation including a billiards room, gym, butler’s pantry, wine cellars, stores, plant rooms and a catering kitchen. The former Servants’ Hall operates as a relaxing games and cinema room with a large OLED TV and multi speaker system. Bedroom accommodation is arranged across the upper floors with a series of principal bedroom suites, dressing rooms, en suite bathrooms, additional bedrooms, guest or staff accommodation, linen rooms and service areas.

The estate includes The Dairy, a charming one bedroom cottage set in its own garden with a woodland view, and the Stone Barn Cottages, comprising a studio or one bedroom cottage and a further two bedroom cottage. A substantial barn, formerly the indoor tennis court and extending to approximately 2,970 sq ft, provides excellent storage for vehicles, machinery or wider amenity purposes. The East and West Wings adjoin the principal house and provide six apartments held on long leasehold interests, with the freeholder retaining pre emption rights.

The gardens and pleasure grounds extend to approximately 29 acres and form an enchanting setting to the house, combining historic landscape design with sensitive contemporary enhancement. Broad south facing lawns fall away into meadows, parkland and woodland rides, creating a seamless connection between the formal gardens and the wider estate. Herbaceous borders, ornamental planting and seasonal displays provide colour and structure, while mature trees and sheltered glades lend privacy and tranquillity. The grounds enjoy exceptional far reaching views across the Oxfordshire countryside towards the Chiltern Hills. The landscape includes the celebrated Capability Brown lake positioned in the far distance to create a masterful sense of perspective.