The 10 most expensive houses EVER sold in South Oxfordshire

In fact, it regularly pops up on national lists of best places to live for quality of life. 

And the district is home to its fair share of luxury mansions.

But how much so the most expensive ones cost?

We have delved into data held by the Land Registry to compile a list of the 10 most expensive houses ever sold in the area.

When we say ever, we mean since Land Registry data began being charted digitally in 1999. Therefore, there is a chance that sales pre-dating this time may have topped the list.

But with house prices rising as rapidly as they have over the past 20 years, it's unlikely. 

Here are the 10 most expensive houses sold, according to land registry data. 

For this data, we searched all single detached, semi-detached, terraced and flat/maisonette properties purchased since data was compiled on the Land Registry site since 1999.

The list does not include commercial property, and all are freeholds. 

Some of these houses have been sold multiple times, but those sales featured on this list are the costliest. 

TO SEE THE 20 MOST EXPENSIVE HOUSES SOLD IN OXFORD, CLICK HERE

THE TOP 5 IN SOUTH OXFORDSHIRE

(pictures - Google unless stated)

1. Highwood Cottage, Harpsden, near Henley.

Sold for £5,260,000 in July 2013

High Wood sits on the edge of the bluebell woods High Wood, between Henley and Shiplake. 

Pic. Andrew Smith

Council planning documents show the house has at least six bedrooms, and in recent years has had a new swimming pool, guest wing and orangery built. 

This is the most recent view of the property from Google satellite imagery.

2. Larkstoke Manor, Ipsden, near Wallingford

Sold for £4,500,00 in May 2015.

The entrance to the (very) long drive

Larkstoke Manor is stately, to say the least. 

According to the agents, these are the main features, along with 24 acres of land:

• 6 bedrooms
• 5 reception rooms
• 6 bathrooms
• Outbuildings
• Period
• Garden
• Land
• Secondary accommodation
• Swimming Pool
• Tennis Court

It was bought in 2015 by Grant Rogan, founder of the Blenheim Capital Group.

In 2018, a High Court judge told the specialist financial adviser and businessman that he faced jail if he did not pay his ex-wife tens of thousands of pounds of owed alimony.

Pic. Zoopla/Knight Frank

What the agent said: "A substantial period property believed to date from 1895 situated in an attractive location in mature gardens and grounds.

"There is a detached coach house comprising store room, barn and stable and new swimming pool. 

"Believed to date back to 1895, Larkstoke Manor is a striking country house set beautifully in its grounds.

"The principal reception rooms are all of generous proportions with elegant, beautifully plastered ceilings and large bay windows, creating a light and airy space which takes advantage of the beautiful outlook."

In 2015, an application was made to turn an old coach house on the estate into a 'staff cottage'.

See more incredible pictures of Larkstoke Manor HERE

SODC planning portal

3. Upper Grange, Newington (between Chalgrove and Berinsfield).

Sold for £4,200,000 in July 2014.

Located halfway between the villages of Drayton St Leanard and Newington, by the River Thames, sits Upper Grange. 

The large, sprawling property boasts a long drive, swimming pool and tennis court and a landscaped garden.

The pool can be seen on this video from Oyster Diving. 

According to British Listed buildings, the house was Grade II listed in 1963. 

And according to British History Online, Upper Grange Farm is "basically a 17th-century building, and has a 17th-century panelled hall. Until it was recently covered there was a dated stone visible bearing the date 1668."

4. High Leas, Rotherfield Road, Henley

Sold for £4,112,500 in May 2019

High Leas is positioned along a quiet, leafy street to the east of Henley-On-Thames.

The large detached property sits behind metal gates and features a swimming pool and tennis court.

Last year, planning permission was granted for a house to be built in place of the tennis court. 

The house due to be built is three-storeys high and has five bedrooms. 

5. Bay Tree House, Lower Shiplake

Sold for £4,000,000 in October 2015

Bay Tree House sits on banks of the River Thames in Lower Shiplake, has five bedrooms and comes with its own boat house and slipway to the water.

What the agent said when it came up for sale in 2012: "It sits in an enviable position on this highly regarded riverside road in the village of Lower Shiplake.

"A substantial detached property thought to date from the Edwardian period that has been in the same family for over 50 years.

"There are an abundance of period features, with well proportioned rooms, grand ceiling heights throughout as well as several large bay windows. Many of the principal rooms enjoy fabulous views of the River Thames and surrounding countryside.

"The mature gardens have been beautifully landscaped with an ornate pond, sweeping lawns bordered by mature beech hedges and interspersed with flower and herbaceous borders.

"The rear of the house enjoys the very best view, with well kept lawns leading down to the banks of the River Thames. There is ample mooring available with several mooring poles and a good sized wet dock."

The rest of the top 10 

6. QUERNS, COLLINS END, GORING HEATH,

Sold for £3,950,000 on 27/11/2014

7. 12 LAMBRIDGE WOOD ROAD, HENLEY-ON-THAMES

Sold for £3,900,000 on 09/12/2016

8. RED CEDARS, HARPSDEN WAY, HENLEY-ON-THAMES

Sold for £3,800,000 on 13/11/2014

9. RECTORY FARM HOUSE, CHURCH LANE, NORTH STOKE, WALLINGFORD

Sold for £3,750,000 - Sold on 03/12/2001

10. SAGAMORE, BOLNEY ROAD, LOWER SHIPLAKE, HENLEY-ON-THAMES 

Sold for £3,600,000 on 06/01/2012