House For Sale £5,000,000
A delightful country residence with separate two bedroom cottage, swimming pool and extensive outbuildings set in about 4 acres on the rural outskirts of Harpenden.
Description
Beesonend House
A rare opportunity to own a stunning example of a Grade II listed house which has evolved over the centuries to become the most charming family home with accommodation extending to 4300 sq ft in the main house with a further 1600 sq ft in The Granary.
The house is approached along a quiet lane which eventually leads to a ford, and is surrounded by charming countryside providing far reaching panoramic views. Part of the original Childwickbury Estate the property faces south over the green pastures of the Childwickbury Stud and is located in a conservation area and whose name was originally derived from being a dairy farm providing milk for the young monks at the local monastery.
After extensive refurbishment, which included sympathetic and careful restoration of the house as well as the outbuildings, Beesonend House is a superb and well maintained family residence offering flexible accommodation for a family with their ever changing dynamics catered for.
The property is situated discretely behind two separate pairs of gates and is accessed via two driveways situated at each end of the property off Beesonend Lane.
The main house extends to 4300 sq ft and has well-arranged and flexible accommodation, perfect for a family requiring multiple and multi-purpose living spaces. The majority of the ground floor rooms have doors which lead out to a stunning sheltered courtyard area which is bounded by buildings on three sides. Perfect for outdoor living during the summer months where it is easy to wander in and out and enjoy the fresh air.
In both the reception hall and drawing room which, with the study form the oldest part of the house there is a wealth of traditional features including large inglenook fireplaces with salt/ spice shelves and a bread oven still evident, exposed timber frame detailing and superb elegant beams, likely from an earlier residence.
There is a bright and airy dining room with Victorian proportions which provide for large windows, tall ceilings and attractive wainscoting. A Nash style fireplace takes pride of place, perfect for taking the chill off during the cooler evenings.
The adjacent kitchen/breakfast room is well designed with traditional timber cabinets and inset quality appliances. An oil fire Aga is fitted and for more extensive cooking there are conventional appliances also. There is a large walk-in larder tucked away in one corner, ideal for storing produce at cooler temperature. There is access from the kitchen area to an east facing terrace ideal for breakfast and a west facing terrace ideal for evening meals.
There is a useful and very practical utility room next door with generous storage and access to both the inner courtyard and side gardens. The perfect place to bring in four legged friends after muddy walks.
With a woodburning stove the sitting room extends to over 23 feet and is a great casual room perfect for family down time. Electric doors open onto the courtyard providing a wonderful light and airy space in the summer. On the remainder of the ground floor there is a large office which could be a great games room. Leading off this room is a spacious billiards room which, again, could be put to other uses depending on family needs. Again, both of these rooms have electric doors opening onto the courtyard.
Upstairs there are five bedrooms, four of which are on the first floor. The principal suite comprises a dual aspect bedroom with views over the countryside in front and the courtyard garden behind. The en-suite bathroom has hints of Moroccan detailing with beautiful tiles in the large shower stall. There is a luxurious roll top bath with views across the courtyard.
Below the dining room there is a spacious wine cellar with a brick staircase leading down. There is natural light coming in from one side where the old coal chute would have originally been.
Location
Situation
Quietly located down a rural lane within a Conservation Area on the outskirts of Harpenden, Beesonend House is a rare find providing a slice of country living on the edge of a popular town with great transport links.
Harpenden with its village like vibe is under two miles away and provides the closest amenities with a wide range of shops, boutiques, pubs and eateries, as well as the mainline railway (Direct to St Pancras International in under 30 minutes). The M1 and A1M provide access to the motorway network and beyond.
Harpenden’s choice of schooling for all ages, both private and state, is very popular. Nearby schools include the new Katherine Warrington School, St Georges, Sir John Lawes, Roundwood Park, St Hilda’s and Aldwickbury Preparatory Schools. Further afield there are the independent options with both St Albans High School for Girls and St. Albans School in the cathedral city of St Albans. Buses for the independent schools pick up locally on the A1081 which just under 1 mile distant.
Square Footage: 4,295 sq ft
Acreage: 3.86 Acres
Directions
From Harpenden: Follow the A1081 out of town, signposted towards St. Albans. After about 2 miles, turn right onto Beesonend Lane. Continue for about 0.3 miles and the driveway to Beesonend House will be found on your left hand side.
Additional Info
The Granary
With accommodation extending to about 1600 sq ft, this is a valuable addition to the living element of the property. Arranged over two floors, The Granary has a kitchen/ breakfast room accessed via an inner lobby set off the driveway. With windows east and west, this is a cheerful bright room with generous accommodation. There are steps leading up to the first floor where there is an L-shaped sitting room with electric French doors opening out to a small balcony and a set of external stairs which lead back down to the ground floor. Perfect to open up on a summers day and enjoy the views over the fields beyond. A further electric door opens to reveal a Juliette balcony overlooking the courtyard. There are two bedrooms on this floor, one of which has an en suite shower room and the other which has access to the family bathroom.
There are two garages attached to The Granary and a boiler room with utility space. As a whole this could provide the perfect opportunity for independent living for returning off-spring or dependents.
Swimming pool and Gardens
The landscaped gardens are a real asset and surround the property; they are well maintained and contain a wide selection of shrubs and trees with lawned areas interspersed by meandering paths and attractive terracing. There is a delightful tiered kitchen garden featuring raised flower beds and a useful greenhouse.
Located behind high hedging and elegant metal fencing there is an in ground swimming pool with jacuzzi, summer house, pergola for al fresco dining and terracing.
Outbuildings
There is an extensive range of outbuildings which form part of the property. With the majority of the buildings bordering the boundary with Beesonend Lane they add to the very private feeling this property enjoys. There are three large barns. The first and second barns have electric doors, with the second barn having a mezzanine floor, cloakroom and shower room. The third barn is an original threshing barn which was built to take advantage of the prevailing winds at harvest time. Now fully refurbished, these outbuildings provide a whole host of opportunities, subject to the necessary planning consents.
Elsewhere, there is stabling and equestrian amenities and garden and other stores providing plenty of storage space and offering the potential for a variety of alternate uses.
Description
Beesonend House
A rare opportunity to own a stunning example of a Grade II listed house which has evolved over the centuries to become the most charming family home with accommodation extending to 4300 sq ft in the main house with a further 1600 sq ft in The Granary.
The house is approached along a quiet lane which eventually leads to a ford, and is surrounded by charming countryside providing far reaching panoramic views. Part of the original Childwickbury Estate the property faces south over the green pastures of the Childwickbury Stud and is located in a conservation area and whose name was originally derived from being a dairy farm providing milk for the young monks at the local monastery.
After extensive refurbishment, which included sympathetic and careful restoration of the house as well as the outbuildings, Beesonend House is a superb and well maintained family residence offering flexible accommodation for a family with their ever changing dynamics catered for.
The property is situated discretely behind two separate pairs of gates and is accessed via two driveways situated at each end of the property off Beesonend Lane.
The main house extends to 4300 sq ft and has well-arranged and flexible accommodation, perfect for a family requiring multiple and multi-purpose living spaces. The majority of the ground floor rooms have doors which lead out to a stunning sheltered courtyard area which is bounded by buildings on three sides. Perfect for outdoor living during the summer months where it is easy to wander in and out and enjoy the fresh air.
In both the reception hall and drawing room which, with the study form the oldest part of the house there is a wealth of traditional features including large inglenook fireplaces with salt/ spice shelves and a bread oven still evident, exposed timber frame detailing and superb elegant beams, likely from an earlier residence.
There is a bright and airy dining room with Victorian proportions which provide for large windows, tall ceilings and attractive wainscoting. A Nash style fireplace takes pride of place, perfect for taking the chill off during the cooler evenings.
The adjacent kitchen/breakfast room is well designed with traditional timber cabinets and inset quality appliances. An oil fire Aga is fitted and for more extensive cooking there are conventional appliances also. There is a large walk-in larder tucked away in one corner, ideal for storing produce at cooler temperature. There is access from the kitchen area to an east facing terrace ideal for breakfast and a west facing terrace ideal for evening meals.
There is a useful and very practical utility room next door with generous storage and access to both the inner courtyard and side gardens. The perfect place to bring in four legged friends after muddy walks.
With a woodburning stove the sitting room extends to over 23 feet and is a great casual room perfect for family down time. Electric doors open onto the courtyard providing a wonderful light and airy space in the summer. On the remainder of the ground floor there is a large office which could be a great games room. Leading off this room is a spacious billiards room which, again, could be put to other uses depending on family needs. Again, both of these rooms have electric doors opening onto the courtyard.
Upstairs there are five bedrooms, four of which are on the first floor. The principal suite comprises a dual aspect bedroom with views over the countryside in front and the courtyard garden behind. The en-suite bathroom has hints of Moroccan detailing with beautiful tiles in the large shower stall. There is a luxurious roll top bath with views across the courtyard.
Below the dining room there is a spacious wine cellar with a brick staircase leading down. There is natural light coming in from one side where the old coal chute would have originally been.
Location
Situation
Quietly located down a rural lane within a Conservation Area on the outskirts of Harpenden, Beesonend House is a rare find providing a slice of country living on the edge of a popular town with great transport links.
Harpenden with its village like vibe is under two miles away and provides the closest amenities with a wide range of shops, boutiques, pubs and eateries, as well as the mainline railway (Direct to St Pancras International in under 30 minutes). The M1 and A1M provide access to the motorway network and beyond.
Harpenden’s choice of schooling for all ages, both private and state, is very popular. Nearby schools include the new Katherine Warrington School, St Georges, Sir John Lawes, Roundwood Park, St Hilda’s and Aldwickbury Preparatory Schools. Further afield there are the independent options with both St Albans High School for Girls and St. Albans School in the cathedral city of St Albans. Buses for the independent schools pick up locally on the A1081 which just under 1 mile distant.
Square Footage: 4,295 sq ft
Acreage: 3.86 Acres
Directions
From Harpenden: Follow the A1081 out of town, signposted towards St. Albans. After about 2 miles, turn right onto Beesonend Lane. Continue for about 0.3 miles and the driveway to Beesonend House will be found on your left hand side.
Additional Info
The Granary
With accommodation extending to about 1600 sq ft, this is a valuable addition to the living element of the property. Arranged over two floors, The Granary has a kitchen/ breakfast room accessed via an inner lobby set off the driveway. With windows east and west, this is a cheerful bright room with generous accommodation. There are steps leading up to the first floor where there is an L-shaped sitting room with electric French doors opening out to a small balcony and a set of external stairs which lead back down to the ground floor. Perfect to open up on a summers day and enjoy the views over the fields beyond. A further electric door opens to reveal a Juliette balcony overlooking the courtyard. There are two bedrooms on this floor, one of which has an en suite shower room and the other which has access to the family bathroom.
There are two garages attached to The Granary and a boiler room with utility space. As a whole this could provide the perfect opportunity for independent living for returning off-spring or dependents.
Swimming pool and Gardens
The landscaped gardens are a real asset and surround the property; they are well maintained and contain a wide selection of shrubs and trees with lawned areas interspersed by meandering paths and attractive terracing. There is a delightful tiered kitchen garden featuring raised flower beds and a useful greenhouse.
Located behind high hedging and elegant metal fencing there is an in ground swimming pool with jacuzzi, summer house, pergola for al fresco dining and terracing.
Outbuildings
There is an extensive range of outbuildings which form part of the property. With the majority of the buildings bordering the boundary with Beesonend Lane they add to the very private feeling this property enjoys. There are three large barns. The first and second barns have electric doors, with the second barn having a mezzanine floor, cloakroom and shower room. The third barn is an original threshing barn which was built to take advantage of the prevailing winds at harvest time. Now fully refurbished, these outbuildings provide a whole host of opportunities, subject to the necessary planning consents.
Elsewhere, there is stabling and equestrian amenities and garden and other stores providing plenty of storage space and offering the potential for a variety of alternate uses.
