Set in the pretty Wood Green Common conservation area is this lovely Edwardian house, which has been lovingly and recently restored. The house lies next to a private woodland area full of bluebells, accessed only by the avenue's fellow residents, meaning it has a beautiful green outlook unusual for London. Extending over 1,400 sq ft, it has three good-sized bedrooms and a voluminous, light-filled open-plan dining and living room. The owner, an interior designer, has celebrated pattern and colour throughout the house.

Setting the Scene 

The settlement of Wood Green is thought to be of Saxon origin, its name deriving from 'Woodleigh', meaning forest clearing, likely relating to an opening in Tottenham Wood. Throughout the early years of the community, it was connected to London by tracks, which now broadly reflect the contemporary roads Green Lanes and Mayes Road.

Barratt Avenue was developed by the Barratt Company to house workers for their sweet factory nearby. The avenue is made up of handsome uniform terraces of rich red brick Edwardian properties with well-planted gardens. They would have lined the former railway line, now a brilliant, private wooded area, fantastic for children to play in.

The Grand Tour

Entry is into a hallway lined with patterned wallpaper by House of Hackney, announcing the wonderful palette of colours and patterns used throughout the house. From here, a door opens into the open-plan living and dining area with matching marble fireplaces and original floorboards underfoot. Sash windows sit at the front of the room, allowing light to bathe the room.

At the rear of the house is a contemporary kitchen comprising pastel pink plywood cabinetry and white brick tiles, all set against a cork floor and arsenic green walls by Farrow & Ball. Grey aluminium-framed windows frame views over the garden and the woodland beyond, while a Crittall-style door opens into the garden.

Upstairs are three wonderful double bedrooms, each with its own smart colour scheme. The principal bedroom has been painted a calming plaster pink by Little Greene, which chimes well with the original floorboards found underfoot; fitted cupboards have been painted a complementary pillar-box red. The bedrooms located in the middle and front of the plan have their original fireplace surrounds, further useful fitted storage and seagrass carpet. Smart column radiators have been installed throughout the house.

A good-sized family bathroom has a walk-in shower as well as a separate bath, both with elegant brass fittings.

The Great Outdoors

The garden to the rear of the house is mainly laid to lawn, bordered on one side by a planted flower bed. A terrace leads immediately from the house, creating plenty of space to eat outside. Most incredibly, a magical private conservation area sits behind the house, only accessible by the houses backing onto it. It is perfect for those with young families.

Out and About

Barratt Avenue is in a fantastic location, a short walk from the expansive Alexandra Park and Palace, which hosts its own farmers market every Sunday and is just a 15-minute stroll away from the house through the park. The park also boasts its own boating lake with ducks, a true sanctuary in the middle of London.

Other green spaces include Highgate Wood, an ancient woodland comprising numerous conservation areas with oak, hornbeam and beech trees. There is also a brilliant playground for children. Local schools in the area that are highly regarded at St Pauls and Alexandra Park.

The area has many popular pubs, including The Starting Gate - a lovely place, perfect for a Sunday roast, and The Prince, a cool eatery with interesting, unique ales and delicious pop-up food. The Goodness Brewing Company is a five-minute walk from the house and is a fantastic cultural, food and drink enterprise, serving locally brewed beer and stone-baked pizza. It often hosts pop-ups for clothes designers and artists, too.

Restaurants and cafes include The Yard which is a sweet coffee shop in Alexandra Palace train station, and Ludos, a fun coffee shop and bar on a bus, which also hosts comedy nights. Oita is a beautiful Japanese restaurant. All are within five minutes walk from Barratt Avenue.

Alexandra Palace station is around the corner, from which the Thameslink train runs to Finsbury Park, King's Cross and Blackfriars. Nearby Wood Green station (Piccadilly Line) has trains into central London, including King's Cross and Covent Garden.

Council Tax Band: F