Wonderful country house in private setting boasting far reaching views.

Description

Set in an idyllic spot nestled in beautiful rolling countryside, the property is approached along a private driveway set behind tall iron gates. With delightful woodland walks, manicured lawns and fabulous views, the property enjoys a high degree of privacy. Designed with a gentle nod to the Arts & Crafts style with exquisite detailing, this is a handsome home with accommodation approaching 9,000 sq ft including the superb leisure complex.

This is an impressive and welcoming home featuring flexible accommodation arranged over two floors. Perfect to suit a variety of family dynamics whether a growing family seeking a forever home or for those who are looking for accommodation to suit multi-generational living.

Double doors open into a lengthy and bright entrance hall which spans the front of the building leading to the two wings of the house and makes for a fine warm welcome for guests and family. Overlooking a pretty courtyard there is a most impressive vaulted grand hall which measures over 34 feet and provides a stunning backdrop for elegant entertaining on a majestic scale. An inner hallway opens onto a bright and airy drawing room with a fabulous feature fireplace; an ideal venue for cosy winter gatherings or relaxed family get togethers.
Set quietly away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the house is a generous sized gentleman’s club style study with a wall of fitted library shelves and tall windows providing a bright and cheery working environment. There is a charming country kitchen with a comprehensive range of cabinets arranged around an island unit. Adjacent the breakfast room has a four oven Aga which is complemented by independent cooking facilities for the summertime in the kitchen. Leading from the kitchen is one of the two utility rooms which features a useful walk-in larder. Easy stepped access leads down to the cellar which has ample storage for the largest of wine collections.
The games room, which is currently used as a snooker room, is a well-proportioned room which could be put to alternative uses to suit one’s own needs. With doors leading into the grand hall this adds to the superb entertaining space this home has to offer.

At the rear of the property is a ground floor bedroom suite with sitting area and dressing room with separate bathroom. This could be used for a privately situated guest suite or simply a teenager’s den with space to have friends stay over.

First Floor
On the first floor there are four bedroom suites with an additional guest bedroom with a range of fitted cupboards.
The principal bedroom suite is an indulgent space with windows on three sides and has the benefit of two separate en-suites, each with their own dressing areas. There is a further bedroom suite with its own sitting room and bathroom which has independent access from the breakfast room via a spiral staircase. Overlooking the grand hall from an internal balcony is another suite which has a dressing room and vaulted ceiling with roof lights making for a bright and airy haven.

Gardens, Land and outbuildings

Leisure complex
This superbly appointed space consists of an indoor heated pool which has two sets of steps and a Jacuzzi, steam room/shower and a separate sauna. French doors lead out to the gardens making this an ideal setting for a summer party.
The landscaped gardens and grounds are a striking feature to the property and include a small mature woodland which provides a perfect play area for a game of hide and seek. There are rolling lawns and several seating areas including a substantial sheltered gated courtyard which is bordered by the grand hall. With a pair of verandahs this makes for a perfect place to host casual suppers and summer lunches.

There is a fenced paddock set to the south of the gardens with a useful gated access onto Pickford Road, ideal for bringing in agricultural machinery and horse boxes. There is also a manege with lapsed planning permission to convert into a tennis court.
Set slightly further afield meadowland meanders from the gardens towards the east down to a lightly wooded copse in a shallow valley.

Services
Mains electricity and water. Oil fired central heating and private drainage system.

Easements, Wayleaves and Rights of Way
The property is offered for sale subject to any public or private rights of way and all easements and wayleaves, referred to in these particulars or not.

Location

Mileages Approx: Luton Parkway Station 6.7 miles (St Pancras from 25 minutes), Harpenden 7.3 miles (St Pancras from 26 minutes), St Albans 9.6 miles, M1 Junction 9 – 2.8 miles, London Luton Airport 9 miles, London Heathrow Airport 29 miles.

The nearby village of Markyate is a delightful Hertfordshire village with a strong community spirit enjoying local conveniences such as day to day shops including a pharmacy, post office, bakery, and a well-stocked village store. There is a newsagent, two restaurants and hairdressers and beauty parlor. For larger shops including Waitrose, Marks and Spencer Simply Food and Sainsburys, Harpenden is just under 7.5 miles away and education is well provided for with a local village school and nursery, and the ever-popular Beechwood Park school is located just under one mile away. Buses for schools in the surrounding area pick up from both the high street and the A5. There are a multitude of leisure facilities close at hand with numerous country walks and bridle paths on the doorstep, and a great choice of golf clubs at Harpenden and Redbourn. A branch of David Lloyd Health Club is a 7.5 miles drive away at nearby Capability Green and there are additional comprehensive sports facilities available in Harpenden at the newly refurbished centre at Rothamstead Park. For the commuter, the closest railway station is at Luton Parkway with a fast train into St Pancras running every quarter of an hour. Junction 9 of the M1 is just under 3 miles away providing prompt access onto the motorway network and the M25.

Square Footage: 8,990 sq ft


Acreage: 14.74 Acres