Endymion Road, Hatfield

It has been almost four decades now since the current owners of the three-bedroom house on Endymion Road moved in. Today they have nothing but fond memories of the time they have spent here and are sad to be leaving. “We were initially drawn to it because it was such a pretty house, with lots of character,” one of them recalls. “The garden was south-west facing and we knew could be a lovely place to spend time out in the sun and the house itself held great potential to be modernised to become the home we were looking for.” She adds: “It was also in a very peaceful location in Hatfield, very close to Hatfield House and its park and gardens, yet also within easy reach of the A1 and the centre of town.”

A PERFECT HOME

Built in 1939, the two-storey house is a place people tend to stay. “Over its lifetime, the property has only had three sets of owners – those who live here seem to love it and stay for a long time,” she observes. After moving in, the couple worked their way through the house, improving and extending it, her husband remembers. “We added the conservatory, which is a good size, and converted the former garage into a wonderful new kitchen breakfast room. We also removed the wall between the sitting room and dining room to create one large room. This is now a lovely, light place to spend time as it has windows on three sides.” The couple also replaced the bathrooms and had a new brick-built garage, which blends beautifully with the original property, constructed to one side of the house.

FAMILY KITCHEN

The house is entered from the front via a covered porch and then a central hall. The new kitchen breakfast room is to the right and spans almost the entire depth of the building. Here cream units offer ample storage and there is a double, range-style oven and underfloor heating. “There is space at one end for a breakfast table or comfortable seating, depending on the requirements of the next owners.” A useful door from the kitchen leads outside. There is also a family bathroom downstairs.

GARDEN VIEWS

The gorgeous sitting room is opposite the kitchen and runs from the front to the back of the house; this has a bay window and French windows. To the rear, it opens into the generous conservatory. “We really love the sitting room because it is triple-aspect and is always so full of light,” she admits. “We can look out through the windows in here and watch the blue tits in their nesting box.” The capacious reception room is ideal for both entertaining and quiet relaxation. There is an open fire, which serves to make it cosy and welcoming in the autumn and winter months. “The conservatory is also a very nice place to relax,” the other owner adds. “We use it as our dining room now and like to sit in there and look out over the garden as we eat or have a cup of tea.”

PRETTY BEDROOMS

All three bedrooms are on the first floor of the house, together with the family shower room. The master bedroom sits to the front, where it benefits from a bay window and ample built-in storage. “This is a very pretty bedroom, with a vaulted ceiling and deep window sill,” he says. “I also like the blue bedroom, which I use as an office and has wonderful views out over the gardens and park behind the house.” The third bedroom is also a good size and has room for a double bed. “The space here has suited us well,” they add.

HAPPY TIMES

The location of the house has also been perfect for the couple. “This really is an enviable place to live,” he admits. “It is lovely and tranquil and yet it takes less than five minutes to walk to the station, where we can catch trains to Cambridge or London. We can be on the A1 in five minutes and can stroll into the town centre in 10 minutes.” There are excellent schools in the area, as well as pubs, parks and, of course, magnificent Hatfield House. “We are only moving now because we are downsizing,” she explains. “This has been such an easy and comfortable house to live in. 'We have been very happy here'


SETTING THE SCENE

The house on Endymion Road is set back from the road by a lovely front garden and driveway with off-road parking and access to the detached garage. The exquisite garden has been beautifully landscaped and features mature trees and shrubs. There is a terrace for outside entertaining and dining, as well as a lawn. There is also a vegetable garden and useful storage shed.