Maranbank, Digswell

DOWN MEMORY LANE/LIGHT FANTASTIC

Spacious, light-filled Maranbank nestles on a leafy lane in Digswell, where it offers very private living, scenic surroundings and great potential for possible future extension

Relaxing in their south-facing garden on Harmer Green Lane, in Digswell, the current owners of Maranbank can watch the squirrels in the trees and listen to the sound of the birds. The view from inside their three-bedroom home is also leafy and green, thanks to the abundance of windows and L-shape design of the property. “We walked in and immediately felt comfortable,” one of them recalls. “It was lovely and light; spacious and airy – we just fell in love with it. It had a nice cosy feeling and yet, at the same time, there were lots of windows that looked out over the sunny garden and it offered great privacy.”

A SCENIC SETTING

It was 26 years ago now that the couple bought Maranbank, which is nestled between fields and a small river. “We loved where it was when we first saw it, with lots of open space right next door to walk our dog. There is a bridleway which leads to Tewin and we can also stroll out over the fields to Burnham Green,” she explains. “It is a 20-minute walk into Welwyn Garden City town and an eight-minute walk to the train station. We can walk into old Welwyn, a lovely village with restaurants and pubs, in just 20 minutes too.” She adds: “It is also very near the best schools in the area, which was important for our children when we first moved here.”

SPACE AND LIGHT

Believed to date back to the 1960s, Maranbank still has its original cellar hidden away in the garden. Since moving in, the owners have reconfigured the layout of parts of the house. They have removed a wall between the kitchen and dining room to create one superb family space and made an inviting sitting room. They have fitted new windows, glass doors and a front door; the roof has been replaced and they have installed a new boiler; the whole house has been redecorated. “Over the years we have replaced windows, kitchen and bathrooms, roof, heating and electrics. We also replaced the windows along the front as they were very small and not at all in keeping with the large ones in the rest of the house,” she explains. “Inside, much of the decor is now fairly neutral.”

GLORIOUS SUNSHINE

Maranbank, which is well screened from the road and has off-street parking for up to five cars, is double storey in part, but only the upper level encompasses the accommodation. The ground floor currently houses a garage and workshop. The property is entered via a reception hall, which has access to a ground-floor cloakroom, as well as the bedroom and bathroom wing and the main living areas. “Because the garden is south-facing, the lounge and kitchen diner are always bright,” she observes. Light floods into the kitchen dining room from both sides, as well as from skylight windows above. There is a central island and ample space for a dining table and chairs. “This is a lovely room, especially in the summer when we can slide the doors on to the garden open,” she says. “The kitchen itself was replaced about eight or nine years ago.”

ALL SEASONS

At one end of the kitchen, a door opens into the utility room, while, at the other, there are double glass doors and steps into the sitting room. “We have lots of glass in the sitting room too, which makes it very light and gives us lovely views,” she explains. “Doors in here can also slide open on to the garden.” The generous space and easy flow between the house and garden, which has been landscaped, has made Maranbank a superb family home and a great place to entertain. “We often have 20 people round the table for Christmas lunch and have had some wonderful parties outside in the summertime.”

HAPPY DAYS

The three bedrooms are all a good size and also enjoy views out over the garden. Two guest rooms share the family shower room, while the large master bedroom, which features a bank of built-in wardrobes, benefits from an en suite bathroom. “We have happily brought up our family here, our children and grandchildren, with plenty of room for their friends too,” she says. “But it could hold scope for further enlargement, subject to the relevant planning permissions. It may be possible to extend outwards and there might be potential to convert the garage and workshop into additional accommodation.” The owners hope to stay in the Digswell area. “We have loved living here and shall be very sad to move, but it is now time for us to downsize,” she admits. “Everyone who comes to our home always comments on what a lovely feel it has and says it has such a comfortable vibe.”

SETTING THE SCENE

Maranbank sits comfortably in its leafy plot with ample off-road parking to the front. To the rear, it opens on to a beautifully landscaped garden. There is a generous garage and a workshop at the property.

“We walked in and immediately felt comfortable.”

“It was lovely and light; spacious and airy – we just fell in love with it.”

“It had a nice cosy feeling and yet, at the same time, there were lots of windows that looked out over the sunny garden and it offered great privacy.”

“We loved where the house was, nestled between fields and a small river, with lots of open space right next door to walk our dog.”

“There is a bridleway which leads to Tewin and we can also stroll out over the fields to Burnham Green.”

“It is a 20-minute walk into Welwyn Garden City town and an eight-minute walk to the train station.”

“We can walk into old Welwyn, a lovely village with restaurants and pubs, in just 20 minutes.”

“It is also very near the best schools in the area, which was important for our children when we first moved here.”

“Over the years we have replaced windows, kitchen and bathrooms, roof, heating and electrics.”

“The garden is south-facing so the lounge and kitchen diner are always bright.”

“We have lots of glass in the sitting room, which makes it very light and gives us lovely views.”

“We often have 20 people round the table for Christmas lunch and have had some wonderful parties outside in the summertime.”

“We have happily brought up our family here, our children and grandchildren, with plenty of room for their friends too

“We have loved living here and shall be very sad to move, but it is now time for us to downsize.”

“Everyone who comes to our home always comments on what a lovely feel it has and says it has such a comfortable vibe.”