Stepping out from their attractive home on a sunny day, the owners of the property at Beauchamps could walk or cycle for miles if they chose. The four-bedroom house nestles in a leafy position and backs on to parkland and the famous Cole Green Way, which joins up with other footpaths. “This goes all the way from Welwyn Garden City to Hertford, passing through ancient woodland along the way,” the current owner of the house explains. “It runs for four miles along the route of a former railway line and is a lovely place to walk, run or head off on a bicycle. We could simply open our back gate and go straight into the park or follow the path.”

GLORIOUS SUNSHINE

With a name meaning “beautiful fields” in French, it is easy to see why the location of the house was so appealing to the current owners. “We also loved the house itself, which is set at the end of the cul-de-sac,” she recalls. “It was built in 2004 and we moved in in 2005 – we were only the second people ever to live there. Everything was still brand new and we knew it would be low-maintenance and stress-free.” With accommodation arranged over three storeys, they also realised the layout could be perfect for their lifestyle. “We also liked the fact it was south-facing, with sun pouring in all through the day, which makes it really light and airy,” she remembers. “We loved the garden too: you can sit out at the back there sometimes and hear nothing but birdsong.”

FLEXIBLE HOME

The owners have enhanced the property over the years. Among other things, they replaced the boiler in 2019, upgraded fencing and trellising and converted three-quarters of the garage to create a home office. They also added lots more storage. “The study has been ideal for working from home for us but could have a range of uses, depending on your own personal requirements,” she observes. “Subject to the relevant planning permissions it could be possible to add doors from here on to the garden or even to extend this part of the house further to create an annexe or extra living space.” She adds: “The storage we have added in the former garage has been perfect for items like Christmas decorations and suitcases.”

OPEN-PLAN DESIGN

Situated on an exclusive development, the semi-detached Beauchamps house certainly has an abundance of kerb appeal. It is entered via a porch and front door that open into a hall, with access to a ground-floor cloakroom. To the front of the house is the very generous drawing room, which has a dual aspect. Double doors from here lead into the kitchen dining room, which in turn opens on to the garden. “This is an ideal layout for anyone with a family, especially if they have small children,” she says. “You can keep the doors open and watch them while they are playing while you are in the kitchen.” The layout could also suit owners who enjoy entertaining as there is plenty of space for welcoming friends. “In the summer, everyone can wander in and out from the garden,” she adds.

HEIGHT OF SOPHISTICATION

The first floor of the property encompasses three bedrooms and a family bathroom. “This was always where our children were – they could have their own rooms and then there was also lots of space for them to have their trainsets or other toys out on the landing too,” she says. More stairs then lead up to the second floor, where another enormous bedroom and its en suite shower room are situated. “This was always our room – it is a lovely, spacious, airy room, which always felt like something of a retreat,” she recalls. “It could have all sorts of uses, however. Someone else might like to work up here or have it as a teenagers’ space. One of my friends is an artist and she always said she would turn it into a studio.”

PERFECT BALANCE

The house, which has had planning permission for a conservatory in the past, has been a superb place to bring up a family. The owners have enjoyed being close to good schools and local amenities, as well as to the major shops, supermarkets and leisure facilities of Welwyn Garden City itself. “Everything we needed was within walking distance,” she says. “It was also always very easy to travel to other places from the house. I could be in Covent Garden in London within 50 minutes, for example.” Now having relocated abroad, the owner agrees they all miss their Beauchamps home. “We had great neighbours and it was such a beautiful place to live,” she adds. “Everything about living there was so easy – it gave us a really lovely life balance.”
SETTING THE SCENE
Beauchamps is a quiet development that backs on to parkland. This house has off-road parking to the front and a useful side gate round to the back of the house. To the rear, it opens on to an enclosed, south-facing garden, which offers great privacy. There is a terrace, lawn and children’s Wendy house.
“The path behind goes all the way from Welwyn Garden City to Hertford, passing through ancient woodland along the way.”

“The path close to us runs for four miles along the route of a former railway line and is a lovely place to walk, run or head off on a bicycle.”

“We could simply open our back gate and go straight into the park or follow the path.”

“Everything was still brand new and we knew it would be low-maintenance and stress-free.”

“We liked the fact it was south-facing, with sun pouring in all through the day, which makes it really light and airy.”

“We loved the garden too: you can sit out at the back there sometimes and hear nothing but birdsong.”

“The study has been ideal for working from home for us but could have a range of uses, depending on your own personal requirements.”

“Subject to the relevant planning permissions it could be possible to add doors from the study on to the garden or even to extend this part of the house further to create an annexe.”
“This is an ideal layout for anyone with a family, especially if they have small children.”

“You can keep the doors open and watch them while they are playing while you are in the kitchen.”

“In the summer, everyone can wander in and out from the garden.”

“The first floor was always where our children were – they could have their own rooms and then there was also lots of space for them to have their trainsets or other toys out.”

“The second floor was always our room – it is a lovely, spacious, airy room, which always felt like something of a retreat.”

“The top floor could have all sorts of uses. One of my friends is an artist and she always said she would turn it into a studio.”

“Everything about living there was so easy – it gave us a really lovely life balance.”