6 bedroom detached house for sale

An idyllic Grade II* listed Georgian house situated in charming gardens and grounds, with a separate two bedroom cottage.

Description

Lynch House is a beautiful Grade II* listed classic Georgian house, situated within attractive and mature gardens and grounds. The house dates to the early 18th century was awarded its listed status in February 1967 as an important building of special interest. The house was originally part of Benjamin Bennett’s Kensworth Estate and there have been some notable tenants over the years. Sir Walter Beaupre Townley, who was British Ambassador in Romania, Iran and the Netherlands lived there from 1928-1931 and Brendan Brakan, the larger than life Irishman who was a Privy Councillor during World War Two serving as Churchills Minister of Information lived at Lynch House from 1931-1936. The Kensworth Estate was split and auctioned in 1943. Lynch House has remained in the same family since then and this is the first time it has been on the market for nearly 80 years. The house boasts a wealth of period features including original fireplaces, sash windows and decorative panelling with accommodation flowing well across three floors.

The house is entered into a reception hall from where the main reception rooms flow. The drawing room has a double aspect with sash windows that have seats beneath and French doors opening to the rose garden. The dining room leads into the garden room which has a WC off. Both the drawing and dining room have ornate Oregon pine panelling. There is also a study and sitting room.

The traditional style kitchen/ breakfast room has tiled flooring, an electric Aga and a large utility room off which provides access to the courtyard. There is also a walk in butlers pantry from where the cellars can be accessed.

The principal staircase rises to the first floor where there are six bedrooms, one that is en suite and three bathrooms. Four of the rooms enjoy a fine outlook across the front southern lawn and mature trees beyond. The remaining two bedrooms and bathroom are to the back of the house overlooking the rose garden where there is a secondary staircase descending to the kitchen.

There are three versatile attic rooms on the second floor, currently used as two games rooms and a library which could be utilised as a playroom or further accommodation.

THE COTTAGE
Lynch House Cottage is situated in the courtyard behind the main house. The cottage comprises a kitchen/ breakfast room, sitting room, utility room, two double bedrooms with built in storage and a bathroom.

OUTSIDE
Lynch House is approached through electric gates down a private driveway flanked by mature trees that sweeps to reveal the beautiful façade and continues to a courtyard behind the main house.

The front garden is south facing and is mainly laid to lawn with herbaceous borders, well stocked flower beds, a water Lily pond and fine mature trees. There is a beautiful, partly walled rose garden to the west that leads to the walled kitchen garden with an orchard, various raised beds with three greenhouses and a workshop. There are paved paths through that lead to a wildflower area and a pétanque pitch.

The outbuildings in the courtyard include a double garage
with sliding doors, a small room to keep garden furniture and a large barn for garden equipment with exposed timbers and a mezzanine floor. The barn has the potential to be converted into a games or entertaining area, subject to the correct planning permissions.

Location

Lynch House is situated Kensworth, a desirable village within a conservation area and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the Bedfordshire countryside. The village centre is less than half a mile distant and has a village hall, a primary school, two shops (one with a post office) and a public house. A more comprehensive range of amenities are to be found in nearby Harpenden, with a number of supermarkets, independent shops, boutiques, cafes, wine bars and restaurants. Berkhamsted, Woburn and St Albans and central London, all within easy reach.

Close by are the renowned Dunstable Downs, which is a National Trust site with stunning far reaching views over Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire. The world renowned Whipsnade Park Zoo and the National Trust Ashridge Estate with its four thousand acres of wonderful woodlands and downland are both within easy reach.

There are a number of excellent educational opportunities in the locality including Beechwood Park Preparatory School and St Albans Schools for Boys and Girls. Markyate has a highly regarded nursery and prep-school and there is a further superb choice of both private and state schools in Harpenden and Berkhamstead.

The property is well placed for commuters. The M1 (junction 9) is about a 7 minute drive away providing the motorist with a direct link to the M25. Rail links to London are excellent, with regular services to London St Pancras International from nearby Harpenden, St Albans & Luton Parkway stations, and to London Euston from Berkhamsted. London Luton Airport and Heathrow International Airport are both nearby.

Square Footage: 6,072 sq ft


Acreage: 3.3 Acres

Directions

From M1 northbound: Leave the motorway at junction 9 and follow the A5183 towards Redbourn. At the roundabout, take the second exit, sign posted towards Dunstable. Continue for about 3 miles and then take the left hand turning onto Lynch Hill towards Kensworth. After about 300 yards, bear right onto The Lynch and after about 300 yards, the driveway to Lynch House will be on your right hand side.

Postcode: LU6 3QZ