House for horse lovers has 14 acres, six paddocks and two stable blocks

The village of Barlow is just a few miles south of Sheffield but surrounded as it is beneath the hills of the Peak District National Park, it is a world away from the hustle of the city.
Oxton Rakes Hall FarmOxton Rakes Hall Farm
Oxton Rakes Hall Farm

The village’s first recorded history dates back to the time of William the Conqueror, who gave it to one of his barons so there’s plenty of history to be discovered:  a 900-year-old church and some lovely old houses.

At  the time of the 2011 census there were just 920 folk living there - up from 884 from 2001 - but they don’t let that stop them from organising a fabulous carnival in August each year - complete with a well dressing competition.

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The three wells are beautifully decorated in the form of colourful triptych pictures composed of flower-heads, bark and grasses and are blessed on the Wednesday after the second Sunday in August

Oxton Rakes Hall FarmOxton Rakes Hall Farm
Oxton Rakes Hall Farm

If you’ve an interest in horses then Oxton Rakes Hall Farm, which is on the market for £1,350,000 with Blenheim Park Estates, is certainly worth looking at. It has superb  equestrian facilities and extensive gardens, grounds and paddocks totalling approximately 14 acres and including a one- bedroom lodge.

The house name has historical connections. According to an entry in the Barlow Parish newsletter of 1964 there was reference to Oxrakes de Barley in 1330 and Oxenrakes in 1609 which refers to the practice of driving oxen to the moorland pastures in summertime.

The main house has four reception rooms, a fabulously appointed breakfast kitchen, four double bedrooms and a  family bathroom. 

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It has bags of character with exposed beams and magnificent fireplaces and briefly comprises on the ground floor of an entrance porch, entrance hall, breakfast kitchen, utility room, pantry, WC, boot room, dining/sitting room, office, study and a lounge.

Oxton Rakes Hall FarmOxton Rakes Hall Farm
Oxton Rakes Hall Farm

On the first floor are the master bedroom, a balcony with views over the grounds, master en-suite with underfloor heating, three further bedrooms and the family shower room.

The dining room has a wealth of period features and has ample space for a full-sized dining table. The focal point of the room is the open fireplace with a cast iron surround and brick mantel and hearth.

This room leads on to the sitting with its log burning stove in an ornate sandstone mantel, surround and hearth. 

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The spacious lounge is also fitted with a log burning stove with a timber mantel, stone surround and tiled hearth.

In the breakfast kitchen are a fitted base/wall and drawer units with matching granite work surfaces which extends to provide breakfast seating for two. Appliances are all by Siemens and include a five-ring induction hob, extractor fan, two fan assisted ovens, integrated microwave/grill, integrated full-height fridge/freezer, integrated dishwasher and a CDA wine cooler.

One of the stable blocks consists of four good sized stables, a tack room, feed room and a useful covered open storage area and the second incorporates a large yard with parking for several vehicles. There are six paddocks in total including one with a cross country riding course and another with a good-sized grass menage

Immediately to the rear of the property, there’s a garden being mainly laid to lawn with mature trees/shrubs, planted borders and several stone flagged seating terraces. One of the seating terraces gives access to steps leading down to the equestrian facilities and a useful store.  The grounds also have the benefit of a woodland area and a picturesque natural lake, creating a haven for wildlife.