Hampstead is one of London’s most beautiful neighbourhoods. A charming village with cobbled streets, traditional pubs and small boutiques, the area is well known for its literary history and wild meadows that overlook central London.
Once home to famous writers such as John Keats, Robert Louis Stevenson and D.H Lawrence, the borough has kept its artistic tradition alive with lots of independent bookshops, galleries and museums. Kenwood House, a large stately home on the border of Hampstead Heath, is famous for its breathtaking interiors and varied art collection, while the local Freud museum is filled with antiques and collectables.
For those interested in joining this historic community, a substantial family home built in the 1860s has just hit the market with Dexters. Designed by renowned architect C.H Quennell and built by his brother Walter Quennell, the property is located at the end of a quiet and discreet cul-de-sac that backs onto Hampstead Heath. Surrounded by greenery and trees, the house has extensive gardens that make it feel more like a country retreat than a London home.
The first thing you see when you enter, is a grand hallway with a sweeping staircase. To the left, heavy wooden double doors take you through to one of the home’s three reception rooms, which has maintained many of its period features including an ornate marble fireplace, pillar columns and Georgian coving.
This room opens onto a newly refurbished conservatory with a beamed ceiling that overlooks the outdoor space and has sofas and chairs. It would be perfect for enjoying a cup of coffee and a book on a Sunday morning. For workout enthusiasts, there’s a private gym on this level as well as a utility room and bathroom.
Downstairs, a second living space features floor-to-ceiling latticed windows that provide plenty of natural light. The adjoining kitchen and dining room has bespoke tulipwood doors, a white island and integrated cabinets that give it a clean and contemporary feel. The space is illuminated by a pair of skylights, and there’s an additional patio terrace that could be used for drinks and entertaining during the summer.
The house is an ideal family home, as it has five bedrooms and three bathrooms that are split over the top two levels. The principal bedroom suite has high ceilings, a balcony and an en suite bathroom that comes complete with a shower and bathtub.
‘Located just 10 minutes from Golders Green Station and a 16 minute journey to Waterloo, this property offers the rare combination of a large and tranquil family home, with great connections to the city,’ says Jon Hughes, Director of Dexters Hampstead.
‘Crafted to an extremely high standard in the 19th century, the house has been recently renovated by its current owners, and would be perfect for a growing family.'
