Whichford House

Whichford House is a grade II* listed house situated in the Cotswolds, on the Oxfordshire / Warwickshire border in the sought after village of Whichford. The house is regarded as the finest rectory in the Cotswolds.^[1]

Dating from the medieval times, Whichford House was the Rectory until 1954.

Architecturally the house evolved through the medieval period and 17th and 18th centuries. During the English Civil War, the house was damaged by the Roundheads after the incumbent recruit preached against Cromwell. The house was repaired, enlarged and given high status during the 17th century. A date stone over the west doorway bears the date 1662. The classical frontage of the house was commenced in 1740 but not completed until 2006 with the addition of the West Wing. Of particular note are the fireplaces, the principal Georgian stairwell and the wood paneling in the principal rooms.^[2] In the medieval dining room, above the inglenook, is a Schist carving which dates from the time of Christ and originates from west India.

In the 1950s, it ceased to be used as the Rectory, and the Church of England sold it to the publisher George Rainbird, for £1,400.^[3] In the 1980s, it was sold to Major and High Sheriff of Warwickshire (1996) John Waddington Oakes and his wife, who lived there with their family, including sons Nigel Oakes and Alexander Waddington Oakes, and added a tennis court, swimming pool and a coach house at the entrance gate.^{[citation needed]}

The property includes five acres of gardens and a 70 acre farm.^[4]