A riverside home with an annexe that once served as the beetroot shed in a market garden complex is on the market for £1m.

Talbot Cottage, near Drayton St Leonard, is set in two-and-quarter acres of grounds, including a portion along the banks of the River Thames.

Owner Alan Johns, who acquired the property nine years ago, said: “When we bought the house there was an old barn in the grounds that used to be a beetroot shed.

“It was single storey and quite utilitarian but we had the idea of creating some extra living accommodation by adding a pitched roof.”

The self-contained annexe has an open-plan style living space with vaulted ceiling and one double bedroom.

Mr Johns added: “In homage to its origins we were tempted to paint the walls beetroot red but resisted.”

The Johns also made major improvements to the main house, which has a master bedroom with ensuite and three more double bedrooms, including replacing all doors and windows with double-glazed ones.

They also added ground source heating via 800 metres of buried pipes that collect and deliver heat to a central pump.

Mr Johns explained: “It provides heating and hot water for the house, the annexe and even heats the swimming pool.

“It costs a good deal less than the previous oil system and is better for the environment too.”

The Johns, who are moving because they want to downsize, have transformed the area where the pipes are buried into a wildflower meadow which they hope will become a haven for local wildlife.

In the main cottage, the kitchen/breakfast room has a tiled floor with fitted cupboards, Belfast sink and Stanley range and leads to a boot room with matching tiled floor.

The sitting room and separate dining room are both dual aspect and have exposed ceiling beams, while the sitting room has a wood-burning stove and doors leading to the patio at the rear.

In the grounds is a detached brick building housing a double garage and home office suite which includes two connecting work spaces, kitchenette and shower room.

The property comes with landing stage, mooring and fishing rights to the stretch of the Thames it borders. Approached via a gravel drive, the gardens at the back are mainly laid to lawn but include a brick patio and recently installed swimming pool.

Juliana Markeson of agents Carter Jonas said: “This is a delightful property with the added bonus of having water frontage, a swimming pool and a self-contained annexe with an interesting history. The owners have rennovated it to a high standard and it has plenty of environmentally friendly aspects such as the heating system and water meadow.”

For more information about the property or to view, contact Carter Jonas on 01865 511444 or visit www.carterjonas.co.uk