Rooms

HISTORY
"Dickens House" forms a substantial wing of an original 16th Century Coaching Inn, first recorded as "The Swann Inn" in 1530 under the reign of Elizabeth I. It is believed that Charles I was led through the Old Town back to London under arrest by the parliamentarian soldiers during the Civil War years. The famous diarist, Samuel Pepys, recorded a journey through Stevenage on 5 August 1664 and again in 1667, staying at "The Swann Inn" and playing bowls on the Green opposite. It is further believed that Charles Dickens himself would of frequented the Inn whilst waiting for a carriage to take him the visit the fellow writer and politician Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton at Knebworth House. More recently, "The Swann Inn" was renamed "The Grange" in the 1840's by Reverend John Osborne Seager who converted the building into a boys school. Of late, "The Grange" was used as council offices incorporating the Town's Registry Office. "The Grange" comprises a group of Grade II and Grade II* (truncated)

LOCATION
Stevenage comprises both the New and Old Towns and is conveniently situated within easy access of the A1M. The Historic High Street in the Old Town offers a good selection of shops, cafés/restaurants, public houses and Doctors' surgeries. In addition, the area is well served by Lister Hospital and a good selection of local primary and secondary schools. The New Town provides a large pedestrianised shopping centre and retail parks together with the Gordon Craig Theatre, David Lloyd Health Club, the Leisure Park with its restaurants, bars and night club, bowling alley and 16-screen Cineworld complex. Fairlands Valley Park and lakes are nearby. Stevenage mainline railway station offers a fast and frequent rail service into London Kings Cross (23 mins) and the St Pancras International rail link to Europe. Both Luton and Stansted Airports are approximately 20 miles away.

THE ACCOMMODATION COMPRISES
Detailed pediment supported by two scrolled corbels with Georgian front door opening to:

DINING HALL 4.89m x 4.07m
A fantastic introduction to this period home featuring exposed ceiling timbers with original wooden panelled walls to dado rail height, a most impressive feature fireplace with a substantial wooden surround and mantel, slate hearth and open grate, recessed shelved cupboard, radiator, secondary glazed window to the front elevation, glazed door to the sun room, door to the kitchen/breakfast room. Concealed trap door providing access to the cellar with power and light and fitted sump pump. Further door to:

INNER HALLWAY 2.7m x 1.64m
Featuring a fine, wide turning staircase rising to the first floor with a deep half landing featuring the original handrails, balustrades with a original arched leaded portcullis window to the rear elevation. Door to the sitting room with doorway and step down to the rear lobby.

REAR LOBBY 3.06m x 1.71m
Understairs storage space, radiator, sheelved cupboard, exposed timbers, part-glazed door to the rear garden, coir matting over flagstone floor and door to:

DOWNSTAIRS CLOAKROOM/WC 1.71m x 1.39m
Fitted with a low level wc and pedestal hand wash basin, tiled splashbacks, downlighters, extractor fan.

SITTING ROOM 6.09m x 4.45m
An elegant, well proportioned room with original wooden panelled walls, feature brick built open fireplace with brick hearth, wooden surround and mantle. Built in corner media storage and book shelves. two radiators, window to the side elevation and wide part-glazed door opening to the side terrace.

KITCHEN/BREAKFAST ROOM 4.47m x 3.4m
Fitted with a comprehensive range of oak base and eye level units and drawers finished with mottled granite bevelled edge work surfaces with matching upstands extending to a wooden effect peninsular breakfast bar. Inset twin stainless steel sink unit with carved drainer and mixer tap. A range of integrated appliances include a Neff dishwasher, Neff double oven and gas hob, stainless steel splashback, extractor fan and fridge/freezer. Radiator, downlighters, exposed timbers and brickwork, window to the rear elevation and secondary glazed window to the front elevation. Door to:

UTILITY ROOM 1.56m x 1.35m
Base and eye level units, work surfaces with space and plumbing for a washing machine and tumble dryer and window to the front elevation.

SUN ROOM 3.94m x 2.82m
Added by teh current owner in keeping with the property whilst featuring four sealed unit double glazed sash windows and sealed unit double glazed double doors opening to the garden. Radiator with decorative period style cover.

FIRST FLOOR LANDING 2.81m x 1.67m
The original staircase continues to the second floor. a second original arched leaded portcullis window to the rear elevation radiator and doors to:

BEDROOM ONE 4.11m x 3.81m
Measurements exclude the door recess of 1.84m x 1.24m. A visually striking room featuring a full-height vaulted heavily beamed ceiling whilst measurements exclude a range of built-in wardrobes across the width of the room, sash window with shutters and box window seat overlooking the communal gardens, Radiator and door to:

EN-SUITE SHOWER ROOM 3.23m x 1.66m
Recently refitted by the current owner with a modern white three-piece suite comprising a vanity hand wash basin with chrome mixer tap set to a mosaic vanity shelf, low level wc to one side with a range of white gloss vanity cupboards and drawers. Double walk-in shower cubicle with thermostatic shower, stone effect light grey tiled walls and contrasting flooring, vanity mirror, chrome towel radiator, extractor fan and window to the rear elevation.

INNER LANDING
Secondary glazed window to the front elevation with door to:

FAMILY BATHROOM 3.35m x 2.71m
Of excellent proportions featuring a low level wc, pedestal hand wash basin, panelled bath with chrome mixer tap and shower attachment, radiator, white tiled walls to half-height with contrasting border tile, tiled effect flooring, downlighters, shaver point, extractor fan and window to the rear elevation.

BEDROOM TWO 4.7m x 3.38m
Measurements exclude the door recess of 1.55m x 1.25m. A further double bedroom featuring a corner fireplace, radiator, secondary glazed window to the front elevation and window to the rear elevation, radiator. Door to:

WALK-IN WARDROBE 2.4m x 1.27m
A generous walk-in wardrobe with downlighters and fitted hanging rails.

SECOND FLOOR LANDING 9.15m x 1.82m
Extensive second floor landing with measurements excluding the airing cupboard housing the wall mounted gas fired boiler and hot water cylinder. Secondary glazed window to the side elevation, access to the loft space, radiator, secondary glazed window to the front elevation and doors to:

BEDROOM THREE 4.33m x 3.42m
A pretty twin room with a feature corner fireplace, radiator and window to the rear elevation.

BEDROOM FOUR 4.84m x 3.32m
A further generous bedroom currently used as a study with a feature fireplace, radiator and window to the front elevation.

PARKING
Extensive shingled residents parking area with one allocated space with further designated visitors parking.

REAR GARDEN
The property enjoys the advantage of a wrap-around southerly facing landscaped rear garden designed around a central well-tended lawn with sun dial with limestone paving, sunken terrace enclosed by a combination of mature boundary hedging and attractive brick walls interspersed with deep well stocked borders and a number of mature specimen trees creating a private aspect. The garden extends to an enclosed side terrace accessible from the sitting room providing a further attractive seating area. Beyond there are well tended communal gardens with attractive lawns and a central courtyard situated opposite the entrance to the property with an abundance of mature shrubbery enclosed by attractive wrought iron railings.

LEASEHOLD GARAGE
Single garage conveniently situated opposite the development, being the second garage from the end of the row with electric remote up and over door, power and light. The garage is leasehold, held on a 125 year lease from 1999 with 101 years remaining with a yearly ground rent charge of £25.00.

MANAGEMENT CHARGES
Whilst Dickens House is freehold there is a management charge for the maintenance and upkeep of the development and the communal areas including the garage payable at 11% of the total communal costs. (aprox £2,000 for the last 12 months)

TENURE AND COUNCIL TAX
The Tenure of this property is FREEHOLD. The Council Tax Band is G. The amount payable for the year 2023-24 is £3459.90.

VIEWING INFORMATION
Viewing is strictly by appointment only through Putterills of Hertfordshire, through whom all negotiations should be conducted.

DISCLAIMER
Putterills endeavour to maintain accurate depictions of properties in virtual tours, floor plans and descriptions, however, these are intended only as a guide and intended purchasers must satisfy themselves by personal inspection. MONEY LAUNDERING REGULATIONS: Prior to a sale being agreed, prospective purchasers will be required to produce identification documents. Your co-operation with this, in order to comply with Money Laundering regulations, will be appreciated and assist with the smooth progression of the sale. FIXTURES & FITTINGS: All items in the written text of these particulars are included in the sale. All others are expressly excluded regardless of inclusion in any photographs. Purchasers must satisfy themselves that any equipment included in the sale of the property is in satisfactory order.

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