A charming Grade II listed house in Southmoor, which was once home to a famous Oxford science fiction writer, is on the market.

Heath House was built in 1837 for a local landowner and staunch Methodist, aptly named Richard Church and in the 1940s it was used by the forestry division of the Women’s Land Army.

About 30 years later the property was bought by author Brian Aldiss OBE and one of his popular works, The Comic Inferno, carries a foreward which indicates that it was written at Heath House in 1972.

He lived in Heath House with his wife Margaret and their two children and sold the property in 1981.

The house is now the home of Melissa Ali, her husband Zafar and their two young daughters Since moving in three years ago, the couple have completely renovated the handsome, five-bedroomed property.

They have restored original floors, enlarged and completely re-fitted the kitchen, installed new bathrooms and replaced fireplaces to create a charming family home Much of the original internal joinery survives, including sash windows, panelled shutters, wide floor boards and an open-well staircase rising the full height of the three-storey house.

Heath House has a tree-lined drive, leading to a double garage, gravelled parking area and pretty gardens on all sides of the property.

On one side there is a stable block with a courtyard which has planning consent for a two-bedroomed cottage.

Mrs Ali said: “We have loved giving Heath House a new lease of life and are very sad to be leaving. My husband’s work means that we need to buy two smaller properties, one in Europe and another in Oxfordshire.

“We shall also miss the strong community that exists in Southmoor and its neighbour, Kingston Bagpuize.”

She added: “I hope to leave behind a little legacy for future owners so I am trying to collect some of Brian Aldiss’ novels, especially those that he wrote when he lived here.”

Giles Lawton, of selling agents Savills, said: “Heath House is a lovely property and is tucked away out of sight of the road.

The house has real style and a wonderfully light and airy feel.”

Heath House is on the market with Savills (01865 339700) at a guide price of £1.05m.