Property description
A charming Grade II Listed 17th Century house set in beautiful gardens with a contemporary conversion of the former coach house, in a delightfully rural yet accessible location.
Bedwell Lodge has close associations with Beatrix Potter, the celebrated author of childrens books. It is understood, during the summer of 1891, she stayed at the property where she sketched a number of pen and ink drawings including 'The mice in their storeroom' and 'The rabbit's potting shed' which inspired the famous Peter Rabbit stories, the first of which was written in 1893. In more detail the accommodation comprises: Steps up to porch with glazed and panelled front door. Timber garden studio with double doors and decking overlooking the garden. There are both traditional and modern greenhouses and garden sheds. Two ponds, one flanked by an area of decorative brickwork. Viewing Strictly by prior appointment with the selling agents. We strongly recommend you discuss any particular points which are likely to affect your interest in the property with a member of our staff who has seen the property in order that you do not make a wasted journey. Utility Room Timber drainer with twin china sinks, cupboards under. Laminated worktop with inset electric hob and neff electric oven under. Plumbing for washing machines, further worktop with drawers under. Tenure The property is offered for sale Freehold with vacant possession upon completion. Study Part panelled with a range of fitted bookshelves, glazed double doors to garden and fireplace with carved surround, tiled inset and hearth. Exposed ceiling beams. Studio Room Featuring an extensive range of cupboards, shelves and worktops, Daikin air conditioning unit. Studio A contemporary conversion of the former coach house with striking glazed frontage to the ground floor. Staircase Hall With fine period staircase to upper floors, exposed timber, exposed brick arch to garden hall, door to cellar. Sitting Room Four wall light points. Built in kitchen with granite worktop, inset stainless steel sink, inset neff four ring electric hob with extractor over, built in fridge, wall cupboards and drawers under. Sitting Room A similar room with elegant marble fireplace with tiled hearth and jotul wood burning stove. Bay window with deep sash windows and shutters. Exposed ceiling beam. Services Mains water and electricity. Oil fired central heating to house. Electric heating to Studio. Private drainage to septic tank system shared with Bedwell Lodge Farmhouse. Separate WC second floor Rear Hall Stable type door to outside. Separate WC. Outside To the rear of the house approached by the side drive is a gravelled parking area, outside store, log store, range of former stables providing workshop, garden store and oil tank. Further log store. Location Bedwell Lodge occupies a rural location surrounded by open countryside and is approached from Cucumber Lane to the south of the picturesque village of Essendon. The village is almost mid way between Welwyn Garden City to the North and Potters Bar to the South, both offering a range of shopping and recreational facilities. Rail travel to London from Potters Bar takes 25 minutes to King's Cross or alternatively from Hatfield to King's Cross in 32 minutes. Junction 4 of the A1(M) is reached at Hatfield and access to the M25 is provided at Potters Bar (junction 24). Central London is approximately 25 miles. Local airports are London Luton and London Stansted. Schools in the area include Stormont, Queenswood, Lochinver House and Haileybury. Local Authority Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council Larder With slate and timber shelving. Landing Eaves cupboard. Landing Three wall light points, wardrobe cupboard, door to secondary staircase with stained glass panels. Linen cupboard, staircase to second floor. Kitchen/Breakfast Room With exposed beams and roof timbers, two oven Aga, range of worktops with double china sink, inset Hotpoint four ring electric hob, Siemens electric oven, range of cupboards and drawers, built in Siemens dishwasher, window shutters. Kitchen Lobby With space for deep freeze and plumbing for washing machine. Inner Hall Coat hanging space, range of built in cupboards. Ground floor general remarks and stipulations Garden Hall With panelled and glazed garden door incorporating stained glass motif. Garden and grounds The delightful gardens lie to the south of the house being mainly laid to lawn with a range of flower and shrub beds and borders. A fine herbaceous border is flanked by an old brick wall behind which is a formal herb garden with raised beds and brick surround. Fruit trees lead to an area of kitchen garden. Garage Double doors, brick floor, exposed timber work. Fixtures and Fittings Any fitted carpets, curtains and light fittings are specifically excluded from the sale but may be available by separate negotiation. First floor flat Entrance Hall Part cantilevered oak staircase. Entrance Hall Shuttering to front door. Wide exposed wooden floor boards. Drawing Room Fireplace with brick slips and hearth, timber mantle. Wide bay window with built in window seats and a delightful aspect over the garden. Four wall light points, exposed ceiling beam. Dining Room Window shutters, deep fireplace recess with herringbone brick hearth, fitted cupboards and drawers to one side. Fitted shelved cupboards. Three wall light points, exposed ceiling beam. Secondary staircase to first floor, door to kitchen. Description Bedwell Lodge is Listed Grade II as dating from the early 17th Century having been refronted in the 19th Century, built on the site of an earlier house believed to date from 1540. The property has attractive mellow red brick elevations to the entrance front with a bracketed porch and sash and casement windows. The garden elevations have painted weather boarding to the upper floors, the whole being under a slate tile roof. Period features internally include the fine 17th Century staircase rising the height of the house with elegantly carved Newel posts. The first floor landing has a wooden door arch of the same date. More recently the coach house was converted to the designs of Robert Harwood Architects to provide a modern studio/office with a self contained flat over. The gardens are a particular feature of the property and have previously been open to the public, they include areas of formal gardens, kitchen and herb gardens, light woodland and paddock, the whole totalling about 4.5 acres. Council Tax Band H Cloakroom Washbasin, WC and boiler cupboard with Heatrae Sadia electric combi boiler for heating and hot water. Cellar Ideal Falcon gte oil fired boiler. Twin Ariston hot water cylinders, cold water tank, electricity fuses. Wine cellar with brick and timber bins. Butler's Pantry With fitted cupboards, window shutters, separate WC with washbasin. Bedroom Two Window shutters, fireplace with painted surround, tiled inset and hearth, exposed ceiling timbers. Bedroom Three Window shutters, exposed ceiling beams. Bedroom Six Exposed timbers in pitch of roof., dressing area with clothes hanging space. Bedroom Seven In pitch of roof. Bedroom One Shutters to one window, wardrobe/cupboard, fireplace with painted and tiled surround. Exposed ceiling timbers. Bedroom Four Exposed ceiling timbers, built in desk unit with shelves above and cupboard under. Further fitted shelves and built in wardrobe with shelves and drawers. Fireplace with painted surround and tiled inset. Washbasin. Bedroom Five Painted surround fireplace, corner book shelf, exposed ceiling timbers. Bedroom Eight In pitch of roof. Bedroom Walk in wardrobe, wall light point. Bathroom Bath in tiled surround with mixer taps and shower attachment, wash basin, WC, heated towel rail. Bathroom Bath in tiled recess with shower over, washbasin, WC, painted surround fireplace with mirror over and cupboards either side. vi) all measurements are approximate. v) nothing in these particulars shall be deemed a statement that the property is in good condition or otherwise, nor that any services or facilities are in good working order; . Iv) the descriptions provided therein represent the opinion of the author and whilst given in good faith should not be construed as statements of fact; . Iii) the particulars including text, photographs and plans are for the guidance only of prospective purchasers and must not be relied upon as statements of fact; . Ii) the particulars do not constitute part of an offer or contract; . I) this material is protected by the laws of copyright. The owner of the copyright is John D Wood & Co. This property forms part of our database, and is protected by the database rights and copyright laws. No unauthorised copying or distribution without permission; . John D Wood & Co. Give notice that:- . The swimming pool is concealed by low hedging with a chalet style pool house and chalet style pump room for swimming pool plant. Hard tennis court built recently to a professional standard with chalet style pavilion. To the south is an area of light woodland in one corner of which is a raised modern folly built in 2004 to the designs of architect Geoff Shearcroft of aoc providing a 'lookout' over the woodland and surrounding countryside. Beyond is the paddock area with old shelter and separate access to the lane. In all about 4.5 acres.