Description
A detached former Vicarage with 4017 sq. ft. of versatile accommodation, extensive gated parking, an integral double garage, and a plot of just over 0.84 acres of mature landscaped gardens with countryside views. The house was built in the 1930s and was once the vicarage for the village church. It is located on Sperberry Hill which is a country road with widely spaced houses and open countryside views. (Agent's note: the land opposite the property is currently the subject of a planning application for a solar farm but previous similar applications have been rejected).
The location is semi rural but the property has the benefit of being within walking distance of amenities in St Ippolyts and is about 2 miles, or 10 minutes' drive, from all the amenities in the market town of Hitchin.
The house itself has an excellent flow through the internal and external space for modern family life and entertaining with double doors linking many of the rooms and access to the entertaining terrace in the garden from the sitting room and the kitchen/breakfast room.
Over view continued There are four double bedrooms on the first floor which all have en suite facilities with an en suite bathroom, an en suite shower room and a Jack and Jill en suite bathroom. The second floor has a further double bedroom and a bathroom.
A particular feature of the property is the garden which wraps around the house and extends to approximately 0.84 acres. It has been landscaped by the owners and includes a kitchen garden, extensive parking, and a formal garden with a terrace for entertaining.
Ground Floor The front door is sheltered by a balcony on the first floor creating a loggia next to the entrance which is used for log storage. The door opens into a wide hall which has plenty of natural light from a part glazed door with wing windows, a window to the rear and dual aspect windows on the half landing. There is a patterned tiled floor, high skirting boards and ceiling coving, and stairs to the first floor with iron balustrades and an under stair cupboard which houses the smart meter and has space for coats. There is a two piece cloakroom with La Chapelle sanitaryware.
Ground Floor Continued For day to day access the owners use the side door which leads into a boot/utility room with a door to the garage, a door to the rear, and space for coats and shoes. There is a built-in unit with a Belfast sink and shelves above, and the utility area has a range of wall cabinets, and a worksurface with the condensing boiler beneath and space and plumbing for a washing machine and tumble dryer. The utility area also has a tiled shower cubicle.
Reception Rooms There are two reception rooms either side of the main entrance hall which both have exposed parquet flooring, high skirting boards and coving. The sitting room has a working open fire with a stone surround, and is triple aspect including part glazed doors to the entertaining terrace in the garden. The other room has dual aspect windows to the front and is currently used as a study for working from home. It has ample space for two desks as well as book shelves and other storage. The property has a fibre to cabinet Wi Fi connection with speeds of 20-30 mps. The third reception room is currently used as a family room. It has dual aspect windows and an exposed wood floor.
Kitchen/Breakfast Room and Conservatory The hub of the house is the open plan kitchen/breakfast room which is linked by double doors to the hall and boot/utility room and has two sets of bi-fold doors into the adjoining conservatory and double doors to the entertaining terrace in the garden. The kitchen has inset spot lights, and a comprehensive range of bespoke high gloss full height, wall and base units including wine storage and larder cupboards, with pink granite work surfaces which incorporate two separate sinks, one with a water filter, and a breakfast bar with space to seat four. There is a Britannia range cooker which is available by separate negotiation if desired, space for an American style fridge/freezer, and an integrated dishwasher. Patterned tiled flooring with electric underfloor heating continues into the adjoining conservatory which has windows overlooking the rear garden and a high vaulted ceiling with fitted blinds. There is space for a dining table and chairs as well as a soft seating area.
First Floor Principal Bedroom Suite The principal bedroom is dual aspect with a window overlooking the drive, and glazed double doors to a balcony with space for seating overlooking the rear garden and countryside beyond. There is exposed wood flooring with electric underfloor heating, two sets of bespoke wardrobes and two electric panel radiators. The en suite has underfloor heating, a bath with a shower attachment, a WC, a Vernon Tutbury bidet and twin Laufen vanity washbasins with Chartley taps.
Other First Floor Bedrooms and Bathrooms There are three further double bedrooms on the first floor. One has an en suite shower room with underfloor heating and a newly refitted shower cubicle. The other two bedrooms share a Jack and Jill bathroom which has a bath with a shower over, a vanity washbasin and a WC. One of these bedrooms has doors to the balcony at the front which has space for seating and far reaching countryside views.
Second Floor The second floor has a landing which is lit by a tall arched window on the half landing, and has space for gym equipment and access to a bedroom and bathroom. The bedroom has a vaulted ceiling with exposed A frames, a window with far reaching countryside views to the front, and a built-in double wardrobe which has access to loft storage. The bathroom has a bath with a shower attachment, a door to the eaves, and a Niagara washbasin and WC.
Garden & Grounds Electric gates open to a gravel drive and parking area with space for up to eight cars in addition to the attached double garage which has doors to the front and rear, a water softener, and an electric vehicle charge point. The front garden also has a lawned area with established borders and a mature hedge which screens the property from the road.
Graden and Grounds Continued The property has a mature and private plot, landscaped by the current owners and including an extensive paved patio with space for outdoor dining and entertaining around an ornamental pond which has a feature fountain and goldfish.
Outside the boot room there is a screened area housing the 2,400 litre oil tank, and a paved area with a pergola which supports a vine and raspberry bushes, and leads to a large bespoke greenhouse with a brick base and two attached cold frames. There are several raised beds which could be used for a kitchen garden and these have an automated irrigation system. A timber built shed and workshop has power connected, and there is also power in place for lights on the pergola.
Garden and Grounds Continued Next to the kitchen garden, there is a gravel seating area with a box hedge knot garden, and apple and plum trees. A gravel path meanders round the house to an opening to the drive, passing through archways with wisteria and clematis en route, and there is a further wisteria growing across the front of the house. The rest of the garden is laid to lawn with established herbaceous borders, and provides ample space for children to play or for relaxing in a hammock. Numerous mature trees include Japanese Acers, "blushing bride" flowering Cherry trees, Horse Chestnuts, and a tall conifer which is lit at Christmas.
Situation and Schools Situation and Schooling
The village of St. Ippolyts has a convenience store, a church, a village hall, and a primary school which is rated good by Ofsted. The traditional date for the church's foundation is 1087 and this is borne out by architectural evidence that includes a blocked Norman window. There are some legends about the church including the mounted Knights Templar visiting the church before riding to battle to have their horses blessed. As they left, they took out their swords and carved crosses on the stonework. Local activities include a Bridge Club, a Baby & Toddler Group, a Football Club, a Bowls Club, Women's Institute and a School of Dance. The market town of Hitchin is approximately 2 miles away and has a wide range of shops, a theatre, and a swimming centre. The property is also in catchment for Hitchin Boys' School and Hitchin Girls' School which are both rated as outstanding by Ofsted, and is within reach of several independent schools.
Situation and Schooling Continued Commuters will appreciate the excellent transport links, with easy access to the A1(M), airports and mainline train services to London from Hitchin station.
Notices The field behind/adjacent to the property may be sold for development, such sale would be subject to planning consent being granted. No such application has yet been made.
There is a proposal for a solar farm on land opposite the house. The planning application has been turned down twice before. The current application is yet to be determined.
