British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, may currently reside at 11 Downing Street but the politician also has an idyllic cottage in the English countryside. With the demand for rural homes quickly rising, the PM just put his beautiful bolthole on the rental market for £4,250 ($5,944) per month. Let's take a look at this home, and the rest of the PM's enviable property portfolio...
According to Mansion Global, the demand for country homes skyrocketed during coronavirus, with city dwellers keen to escape the crowds, so it's no wonder the PM has decided to rent out his dreamy holiday home. Located in the quiet hamlet of North Weston, Oxfordshire, the house is a classic chocolate box cottage, offering space, character and stunning vistas in abundance.
The property is located on the outskirts of the town of Thame, roughly 13 miles east of Oxford, and has belonged to Johnson since 2003. The PM paid £640,000 ($895k) for the Grade II-listed pad and we can definitely understand why. Situated at the end of a single track lane, it's nice and secluded and is surrounded by open fields.
Boris was based at the property when he launched his leadership bid to become head of the conservative party in 2018. Here he is seen bringing tea to photographers who had been camped outside the house all day in what he called "a humanitarian mission", according to the Evening Standard.
Known as The Old Farm House, the fairytale cottage comes equipped with 2,659 square feet of inside space. Every single room is chic and light-filled, blending simple whitewashed walls with natural timber floors and roaring fireplaces for a warm and cosy finish.
There's a large sitting room, a dining area and a spacious galley kitchen with a tiled stone floor, crisp cream units and wooden counters. There's even a small breakfast zone at one end, where the new tenant could create a cool coffee station or at-home bar.
Many of the ground floor rooms open straight onto the leafy garden, thanks to French doors. The property also comes unfurnished, so the new occupant will be able to put their own stamp on the place using carefully chosen pieces. This is the family room but it could also be turned into an office or playroom.
Spread over two floors, the house comes with four bedrooms and two bathrooms. The upstairs rooms not only boast exposed beams and natural timber floors but also attractive views across the garden and the fields beyond.
The master suite is one of the home's most enticing areas, thanks to its decorative wood accents and adjoining bathroom. Imagine waking up in this bright and beautiful space each and every morning! According to Mansion Global, the cottage has an estimated value of £1.2 million ($1.7m), which doesn't surprise us one bit!
The house is being offered as a long-term let, so it seems Johnson is in no hurry to return to the pad and he is likely to find a tenant very soon. Alice Prothero of Strutt & Parker commented on the listing: "Its availability is rare because demand for country houses to rent has never been so high, leading to a widespread shortage of good quality stock."
As well as all this inside space, the home boasts a spacious garden and the well-known Phoenix Trail footpath begins just moments from the front door, leading directly to the market town of Thame. The ideal rural retreat, the secluded spread would be perfect for anyone looking to escape the rat race.
The beautiful backyard not only boasts unobstructed views of the surrounding countryside, but also comes kitted out with a swimming pool and a large lawn where sunbathing and family barbecues can be enjoyed. There's even a tennis court, where Johnson no doubt played plenty of games over the years.
What's more, it offers quick and easy access to the M40 motorway, as well as the national railway line that can reach the central London station in Marylebone in approximately 35 minutes, making it perfect for commuters.
The property also comes with a sweet garden room that Johnson currently uses as a home office but it could easily be turned into an awesome playroom or a guest suite.
Inside, the annexe is light-filled and spacious, thanks to its vaulted ceiling and open-plan layout. There's a living area, a dining space and a small kitchenette. Now that £4,250 ($5,944) a month isn't sounding so steep, is it? If you're interested in renting the place, Rightmove has all the details.
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