AN historic house has won a bed and breakfast gold award, just three years after its owner took it over as “a complete wreck”.

Hope House, in Woodstock, had been in owner Paul Hageman’s family since at least the 18th century, but was in disrepair when he took it over from his mother in January 2007.

The gold award came from the Beautiful South’s Awards for Excellence Mr Hageman, who started his catering career at 14 in the kitchens of Woodstock’s Bear Hotel, said: “I am thrilled and delighted to have been awarded a gold award, having opened Hope House only a year ago. My aim was to offer the finest boutique B&B accommodation in Oxfordshire and we have attracted guests from all over the world.”

A Grade II-listed building, it was built in about 1708, at the same time as Blenheim Palace, and was converted with the help of interior designer Jill Treloggen.

He said: “The house had fallen into disrepair. It was in a terrible state in places, so my brothers and I decided to restore it.”

Blenheim Palace, The Bay Tree in Burford and The Chestnuts, near Burford also won awards.