A passion for gardening

Mme Guilhon and husband Alain swapped their chic Paris apartment for a rambling house and extensive grounds in Burcot, near Abingdon, 13 years ago.

The gardens include lawns, flower beds, borders and trees and a mooring on the River Thames.

Mme Guilhon said: “We were living in the centre of Paris for 20 years before we came here, so this was a complete change.

“Our apartment was beautiful but we didn’t have a garden of our own, so I have discovered gardening since we have been here.

“The garden was already very nice but some parts were a bit wild.

“I have introduced a lot of changes over the years. I am very keen on roses so I have planted many rose borders.

“I love gardening because it is very creative and the garden is always changing.

“It is not only about technique, it’s about having an eye for the garden.”

The grounds include lawns, flower borders, trees and an open timber carport with storage area above.

At the front of the house is a terrace with a rose garden and arbour, while at the back is another rose garden with raised circular beds.

There are also fruit plants and a timber shed.

The house includes a drawing room, library, conservatory, dining room, kitchen and garden room plus two garages.

There is also an annex with a second kitchen, utility and shower room.

Tanglewood has six bedrooms, three with ensuite facilities.

Mme Guilhon and her husband, a telecommunications consultant, have two children aged 20 and 23, who have both left home.

Mme Guilhon added: “We are leaving the country because for the past two years I have had one foot in England and the other in France.

“We love Tanglewood, it is a fantastic house and I will miss my garden so much.”

Tanglewood is on the market for £1.8m.

For more information, or to arrange a viewing, contact agents John D Wood on 01865 311522 or visit the website johndwood.co.uk