As the setting for popular TV drama Downton Abbey, Bampton has become one of the best-known villages in Britain.

A character property near its centre is The Hermitage, an 18th-century Grade-II listed house, believed to have once been a public house.

The stone-built property includes a sitting room, dining room with inglenook fireplace, snug and kitchen/breakfast room/ conservatory.

There are five bedrooms, including two en-suite plus a recently refurbished family bathroom.

The walled garden includes apple, cherry and plum trees and a summerhouse with patio doors leading to a decked sunbathing area and spa.

Other character features include a gargoyle on one outside wall, a mural in the porch, a stained glass window, open fireplaces, exposed timbers and a gas-fired Aga in the kitchen.

Owners Andrew and Lesley Campbell have lived there for 11 years, but now that their three children have left home they plan to move to Devon.

The Hermitage is on the market for £765,000. For more information, or to arrange a viewing, contact agents Breckon & Breckon on 01993 776775 or visit breckon.co.uk Another property in a picturesque village is Workman’s Cottage. in Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, near Wallingford.

The house has views over open fields and includes a kitchen/breakfast room with a range oven and slate floor, dining room, conservatory, study and sitting room with open fireplaces.

There are three bedrooms, the master with an ensuite plus a family bathroom with roll-top bath.

Set in landscaped gardens, the property comes with a double garage and a studio, which agents say could be used as a workshop or home office.

Workman’s Cottage is on the market for £750,000.

For more information, or to arrange a viewing, contact agents Lesters on 01491 824000 or visit lestersonline.com