Set in the heart of the Derngate Conservation Area and Northampton’s Cultural Quarter, this handsome Grade II-listed Regency townhouse was constructed around 1816. The home has wonderful Georgian proportions and a variety of original architectural features including decorative plasterwork and significant joinery throughout. Unfolding over almost 3,000 sq ft, the house has five generous bedrooms, a voluminous open-plan living space, and a kitchen which opens straight onto a picturesque walled courtyard. Beyond is a flexible rear area that is currently used for off-street parking. The house is a short walk from Northampton's train station, with direct trains to London Euston in under an hour.

Setting the Scene

The grandeur of this house reflects the prosperity of Northampton at the beginning of the 19th century, generated by its historic shoemaking and brewing industries. In the late 1950s, this terrace of houses was donated to the Northampton High School for Girls, with this house becoming its art and music department. The street, which comprises mostly Georgian and Victorian houses, is also home to Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s only domestic interior in England, now a museum.

The house itself has a grand Georgian façade with a stucco front; a panelled door with a fanlight is framed by fluted pilasters below a decorative cornice. Due to the Great Fire of 1675, there aren't any buildings of great antiquity in the conservation area. Instead, most of the characterful buildings were built by the Georgians and Victorians, resulting in elegant homes with impressive proportions. The house has been carefully restored by the current owners, who did as much work behind the scenes as they did cosmetically. A refined palette of materials and colour has been employed, lending it a sense of calm. For more information, please see the History section.

The Grand Tour

The front door opens to a wide hallway, with a useful coat cupboard to one side. A tall arch leads through, framing a view of the house's sculptural staircase, complete with restored spindles and mahogany handrail. To one side is a double living room; with tall ceilings and large windows at each end, the room is lovely and light-filled. Original floorboards, now painted, are found underfoot, and a refined marble fireplace completes the space. There is a large storage area on this floor, perfect for keeping coats and wellies. A door opens from the hallway onto a small balcony.

From here, stairs lead down to the kitchen, where original Victorian cabinets chime with a new kitchen island with Corian worktops. Fitted with useful cupboards, they have deep drawers perfect for storing pots, pans and crockery. The original kitchen fireplace now houses a self-cleaning electric range, and a warming drawer has been incorporated into the kitchen, perfect for home bakers. Tiles laid in a herringbone pattern line the floor, and lead into a separate dining area – currently used as a gym – tucked behind smart Crittall-style doors. There is also a brilliant separate pantry complete with original food hooks, further food preparation areas and a stone floor. A utility room with a Victorian-tiled checkerboard floor provides an additional sink and space for both a washer and dryer. This room has hardwearing oak worktops. There is an additional walk-in cupboard off the kitchen. Doors from both the kitchen and utility room open onto a private walled patio garden.

The staircase leads to the first floor, where there are two similar-sized rooms with original timber floorboards. Both could be brilliant bedrooms, but are currently used as a fantastic study and another lovely living space. Slightly smaller in size, the latter room serves as a brilliant snug for the winter months, alongside a working fire surrounded by glazed Delft-like tiles, and alcoves fitted with original glazed cupboards made of ebonized wood with gilt decorations.

The second floor is home to two generous double bedrooms, one of which is currently being used as a dressing room. The principal bedroom is wonderfully light thanks to a large bay window, whilst original cupboards frame an original marble mantlepiece, perfect for displaying art. The dressing room has an original Georgian iron fireplace. A fifth bedroom can be found on the top floor, alongside an en suite bathroom.

Throughout the house, the bathrooms have been updated by the current owners, using heritage bathroom fittings and tiled herringbone floors. In one there is a unique original art deco window, which echoes Mackintosh's work further along the street.

The Great Outdoors 

To the rear of the house is a secluded walled courtyard, paved with herringbone brick, mirroring the tiling pattern found in the kitchen. A pergola has been planted with wisteria, which is particularly fragrant in the early summer. There is ample space for a large dining table and chairs, making a perfect place to enjoy a peaceful evening meal. Beyond is a gravelled area with beautifully planted borders. Set behind electric gates with direct access from the road, the current owners use this area, which has a fast charger for electric vehicles, for parking; this area could easily be used as another courtyard garden, and has space for vegetable patches or more raised beds.

Out and About

Derngate is a conservation area at the heart of Northampton’s Cultural Quarter. Originally set within the town walls that survived until 1660, Derngate is the only road in Northampton to retain its original historic gate name. The Cultural Quarter is a regional arts hub and home to many fantastic amenities such as the Royal and Derngate theatre complex, an independent cinema, Northampton Film House, Northampton Museum and Art Gallery and NN Contemporary Art gallery.

Northampton is also home to a variety of independent restaurants, bars and coffee shops, both on Derngate and surrounding streets; V and B is a wine bar and merchant; Pala serves great ciccetti and pizza, and Yellow Bourbon Coffee Roasters provides good coffee.

The house is a short walk from Northampton's train station, which offers direct trains to London Euston in under an hour.

Council Tax Band: E