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The Oast Barn became a house in its own right in the 1950s. Previously it was the grooms' cottages, a coach house and stables which was part of a large house and estate known as The Oast House owned by the Doulton (Pottery) family. Up until the eighteenth century part of it was a Public House called "The Hope and Despair" and some of the roof struts are obviously Elizabethan.
The house is set side on to the road with its own gated car parking and just over an acre of grounds down to a river which feeds into the Thames. Ducks, swans, and a heron are regularly to be seen and in Summer House Martins nest on the eaves of the house. Organic vegetables and fruits are grown in the grounds and used for breakfast in Summer. A range of organic home-made preserves is provided for breakfast.
