4 bedroom detached house for sale

Dover Castle is a beautiful English country home situated along a quiet country lane in a peaceful and rural setting surrounded by attractive countryside and set within a plot of around an acre. The property retains a wealth of character features with exposed wall and ceiling timbers complimented by open fireplaces, solid pine and elm floors, and is believed to date back to the 16th century. The rooms are well proportioned and provide flexible accommodation with several staircases and a ground floor shower room enabling part of the house to be used as a separate annexe or useful office. The gardens surround the home providing a delightful and secluded setting, thoughtfully landscaped with mature trees, areas of lawn and several different seating areas. There is a heated swimming pool with changing room and barbecue area and to the side of the house is a detached double garage. The large gravel driveway provides ample parking and is enclosed through a private gated entrance.

Ground Floor
• Entrance hall with quarry tiled floor and latched doors to reception rooms
• Drawing room with large inglenook fireplace and wood burning stove
• Dining room with open fire place and charming bay window overlooking the garden
• Charming sitting room with traditional open fireplace and exposed ceiling timbers
• Kitchen with country style range of units, range cooker and quarry tiled floor
• Study
• Shower room
• Cloakroom

First Floor
• Master bedroom with exposed beams and stripped wooden floors and generous wardrobes
• Contemporary en-suite bathroom
• Three further characterful bedrooms with exposed wall beams and stripped wood floors
• Family bathroom with roll top bath and separate shower

Outside
• Stunning mature gardens set within an enclosed plot approaching an acre
• Heated swimming pool with changing room and barbecue area
• Double garage, gravel driveway and private gated entrance


"We'd always dreamt of living in a pretty 'chocolate box' country house, complete with thatched roof and a beautiful garden. So when we saw this we could hardly believe our luck!" say the owners.

During their first viewing, Ray and Margaret immediately felt their hunt for a new home was over. "We had been living in quite a busy area, " remembers Margaret, "so we were searching for somewhere really quiet where we could relax. It had everything we were looking for. It's so peaceful here - but at the same time we're just 15 minutes drive from Berkhamsted and five minutes into Tring, whilst Euston Station is 35 minutes from Tring Station."

The tranquillity combined with its proximity to two very popular towns which have excellent schools, shops, facilities and train services into London, gave the house a winning location. "However that's only part of what attracted us, " says Margaret. "The house itself is so pretty - something people often comment on when they first visit. Pulling into the carriage driveway and seeing the house surrounded by its beautiful garden is a stunning sight.

"The previous owners were talented gardeners and they designed the grounds with such wonderful attention to detail and colour. Throughout the year there is always colour from trees, shrubs and flowers. Clematis grows up one side of the house and honeysuckle on the other. The main lawn is not visible from the road and it is here you appreciate the full impact of the garden and, of course, the pool - one of our favourite parts!

"The pool can be heated which extends the time we can enjoy it from spring to October. It blends in well with the garden and is a fantastic place to sit and relax, maybe have a glass of wine.

Inside the house, Ray and Margaret have successfully created the relaxing home they were looking for. "We love to spend time in the lounge or the family room, " she says, "both rooms have great views of our beautiful garden. It's also a superb property for entertaining, there are about six different eating areas within the grounds which is perfect for social gatherings.

Another advantage for Ray and Margaret has been the character and period features of their home. "The house dates back to the 16th century, " explains Margaret, "and was originally a two-up, two-down cottage. It has been sympathetically extended over the last 30 years in keeping with its original style but its character is still very evident.

"All the original beams are intact, " she continues. "The house is called Dover Castle and it's rumoured that the beams used for building it were taken from the Dover Castle ship. There's another theory that it was owned by the captain of the Dover Castle - we don't know which story is correct, but the name is certainly a link to the ship!

"We have really enjoyed living here, " says Margaret. "It's such a contrast from the hustle and bustle of the town. We have peace and quiet, plenty of space and beautiful gardens but with the convenience of two main towns with excellent facilities nearby - a perfect combination."

"In addition, there are two local villages, each with a shop, restaurant, post office, school and church. They hold regular fetes and other events and both of these striving communities are within one mile of our home".