The Property:

A very special and unique opportunity to acquire a fabulous Grade II listed residence which has been sympathetically refurbished throughout to the highest specifications. Situated in the heart of the sought after historic Old Hatfield close to the park and mainline station with fast and direct links into central London. Offered to the market chain free.

Description:

This delightful, seventeenth-century house has been immaculately restored and updated to create a very special six bedroom home bursting with character. The current owners have commissioned the very best craftsmen to fulfil the house's potential while protecting and enhancing the historic charms of this Grade II-listed building in the Old Hatfield conservation area. Heritage windows have been restored, the house has been completely rewired and replastered including lath and lime where appropriate, new flooring has been laid, the kitchen has been modernised and two new bathrooms installed with app-controlled smart underfloor heating.

The house is set over three floors, with the four ground floor rooms opening into one another to create a sociable space ideal for both family and entertaining, while also allowing for the snug at the rear of the house to be used as a cosy hideaway. At the front of the house large windows flood light into the sitting-room, which has a log burner, and dining-room, which has extensive exposed brickwork and beams. The bespoke kitchen and breakfast room has a glazed door to the rear courtyard garden, while a separate utility room incorporates the downstairs cloakroom.

On the first floor are three large bedrooms, one with a dressing-room attached, and a sleek modern bathroom with a double sink and walk-in shower. The three bedrooms on the second floor, two of which are currently used as home offices, are a similar spacious size, while the bathroom has both an elegant free-standing bath and a separate shower. The house also has a useful cellar for storage and a loft which could be converted if required and subject to the relevant permissions.

THE OWNERS' STORY

'We found this house because we fell in love with Hatfield House, the wonderful, historic stately home and grounds which is just at the top of our street. We were ready to move out of London, so decided this was an ideal place for us to settle with our two children, especially as the station is a short walk with such a fast train link to London. When we saw this house was available we wanted it straight away, it needed a lot of work but it's so quaint and quirky – if you want a home full of history and character this is it!

It's such a special house, it's like a tardis with much more space inside than you would guess from the outside. It's full of cosy nooks and even had a secret staircase which was closed off when we bought it, but we've opened it up so now have two staircases. We love the beams and exposed brickwork, which we've carefully restored like so much of the house. It's a lovely home for entertaining because it's so open-plan downstairs, with the elegant sitting-room, dining-room, kitchen and snug all linking together. We both work from home but there's plenty of room for us to have a spacious home office each on the top floor and still have space for a spare room for guests. We love having pilates and acupuncture on our doorstep through the Oak House Studio and popping to the top of the road for lunch at the Coach House or grabbing a panini from the Wild Alban delicatessen - it is easy to slot into a lovely rhythm with the various offerings feet away from the house.

We thought this would be our forever home so we've put a huge amount of effort into restoring it, working with heritage experts and updating the kitchen and bathrooms to a very high standard. It's very sad to leave but we need to relocate to a different part of the country to be nearer to family. We will miss the house terribly, as well as this unusual location, the friendly neighbours and the fun of attending the special events at Hatfield House.'

Location:
Fore Street is one of the oldest and prettiest streets in Hatfield, in the centre of the picturesque Old Town. A short walk up the street from the house brings you to Hatfield House, the magnificent Jacobean mansion built in 1611 by Robert Cecil, Earl of Salisbury and still home to the Cecil family today. Local residents are invited to become Friends of Hatfield Park and enjoy access to the extensive parkland and woodland walks throughout the year. Hatfield House hosts regular events such as concerts and festivals, and The Stableyard, just at the top of Fore Street, has artisan shops and the excellent Coach House Kitchen.

Hatfield town has every modern amenity including the Galleria shopping centre and cinema complex, with the station just a few minutes' walk from the house, from where you can reach London King's Cross in 26 minutes. The town is on the A1(M), providing a direct road link south to London, while Luton Airport is just a 30 minute drive north. There is an Ofsted rated Outstanding primary school just a few minutes’ walk from the house, with Chancellor's a highly rated secondary academy in nearby Brookmans Park. Independent schools close to Hatfield include Sherrardswood and Haileybury, both co-ed schools with excellent reputations. Hatfield is surrounded by beautiful Hertfordshire countryside, with plenty of opportunities for sport including several golf courses, cycle trails, horse riding and boating on Stanborough lakes.

The property is situated next to Salisbury Square, a £20m transformation project of a critical historic centre which got underway in May. The redesign includes new retail and residential opportunities to bring together the heart of the community.