Life on the waterfront

Number 1 Fellows Close has been the home of Brian and Jan Ulyatt, pictured right, for the last five years. They have decided to move to the north of England to live closer to their children and grandchildren.

The property is on the market with Savills in Oxford at a guide price of £850,000.

Tucked away off East St Helen Street, the house is part of a listed building which belonged to Abingdon Abbey until its dissolution in 1538.

Some of the windows still have 15th-century leaded lights and there are some ancient tie beams in the roof.

In 1748 Joseph Tompkins, a businessman whose family supported the town for some 200 years, re-built the property as a dwelling house and business centre.

A malt house, granary, stabling, four tenements and a wharf had been added by 1899, when it was sold to a local solicitor for £822.

He imported from Flanders the oak panelling which graces the drawing room and installed the large ornate safe in what is now the kitchen The safe is now used as a wine cupboard.

Mrs Ulyatt said: “Two things in particular attracted us to the house. Firstly, the size and height of the rooms meant we had no difficulty fitting in some pretty large items of furniture Secondly, it was so quiet and private.”

Behind the handsome riverside façade is a spacious interior with many original features.

The panelling of the Flanders Room is enhanced by a carved-stone fireplace.

Mrs Ulyatt designed the kitchen/dining room, adding modern fully-fitted units and integral appliances to complement the old oak ceiling beams and tiled floor.

The house has four bedrooms – two with en-suite facilities – and a family bathroom.

The double-aspect master bedroom, which has steps leading down to the unusual ‘sunken’ bathroom, boasts lovely views over the river.

The rear landscaped gardens include an al fresco dining area.steps leading down to the river and a private mooring.

To arrange a viewing, call Savills Oxford on 01865 339705