Flat to rent in Middleton Park, Middleton Stoney, Bicester OX25

A large (c.1,400 sq ft) South-facing ground floor apartment overlooking open countryside, in a Lutyens-designed Grade 1 listed mansion set in magnificent parkland. Garage, tennis court & a pool included, as is hot water, heating and laundry room. Unfurnished. Available Immediately

Middleton Stoney is a small village set between Bicester to the East and Lower Heyford to the West. It has history dating back to at least the 13th century, a fact confirmed by the age of the Jersey Arms hotel/ restaurant. The access to both towns and arterial routes is excellent, with Bicester a short drive away (from where London Marylebone is as little as a 42 minute journey by rail) and Oxford a straight run to the South. Surrounding the village is wonderful open countryside and farmland with some delightful established walks including at least one tree lined avenue that was once a Roman road.

There really is nowhere quite like Middleton Park. Originating from a place called Home Wood in the early 13th century, the park was established and landscaped in the early 18th century, gradually evolving to what we see today. Owned by the Earls of Jersey for many generations, the mansion house from the 1750s was demolished in 1935 to be replaced "no expense spared" by a new design by Edwin Lutyens. Everywhere the design is consummate in its expression of sublime architecture, but it is also practical with lifts, shallow stairs and vast windows. To live in such a place is a privilege.

"Number One" occupies a brilliant position on the ground floor, with its own large, paved terrace plus uninterrupted views across the Park. The approach via a grand, communal marble hallway leads to an ornate oak entrance door to the apartment which, in turn, leads into a long and elegant hallway. To the left the apartment centres around a sublime, wood panelled state room with high ceilings and equally tall sash windows on two sides, large by almost any standards but also deliciously warm and inviting. And as it faces South and West, this is a bright room. A door on the North edge also opens onto the terrace. Next door is a modern kitchen with a comprehensive suite, coloured cream to maximise the light, and including a stainless oven plus dishwasher, and next door to which is a utility room - with a further door out to the terrace.

The two bedrooms are pleasingly separate from the living space. The first is an ample double by modern standards. Adjacent to it the en-suite is very attractive, fitted with a high quality white suite that includes a shower. Next door, the master bedroom is much larger, simple and elegant and including a generous range of store cupboards fitted across the side wall. The en-suite that accompanies it is similarly amply proportioned, so much so that a large shower pan and a separate bath are fitted with a large floor area to spare. As with the smaller ensuite, this is well-fitted to a high standard.

Outside, the house sits in extensive grounds. The formal lawn is reminiscent of a Regency palace and throughout the grounds the many mature trees frame large grass areas, landscaped but appearing naturally placed. The entrance to the park is via imposing gates just off the centre of Middleton Stoney village, past the gatehouse and through trees. At the family church public access ceases and beyond it a long drive runs through beautiful scenery and past four lodges before it turns a full circle in front of the house.

This apartment comes with a single garage and also communal parking situated to the right just before the lodges. And here there is a swimming pool in a walled area for communal use. At the other side of the driveway there is also a tennis court, again available for all residents. And the apartment itself looks out across fields to the South and its own wonderful large terrace to the West.