Christchurch Hill, London, NW3

This is an architecturally designed, end of terrace former Victorian coach house located in one of the most serene streets in Hampstead.

Set-back from the hill, this is a wonderfully thought out residence with practicality and comfort at its core, and with a rare benefit, an off-street parking space. Stepping through from the street, you enter into a peaceful garden. With the secure main door shut behind you, you are undisturbed, making for a perfect relaxing outside space.

Through the front door and a porch for coats & shoes, you enter into a spacious reception room with distinct living, kitchen and dining areas, specifically devised by the current owner to ensure the space is cleverly utilised. Fully integrated appliances and a downstairs shower room & W/C, are intelligently tucked away.

Shadow gap skirting & recessed bannisters are just a few of the subtle engineered features added into this marvellous property. The ceiling heights are also much higher than in an equivalent property of this age, bringing a superb sense of space.

As you journey upstairs to the first floor, there are dedicated spots for pictures or art as you pass, a delightful addition! The generous second bedroom, currently arranged as a tv room, has a unique vaulted ceiling which catch the light from the velux windows at the top of the house, above the mezzanine.

The principal bedroom just across the hall also has vaulted ceilings, tall built-in wardrobes and velux windows throwing light from both sides of the roof. There is also a bright ensuite bathroom & a lovely leafy outlook over the street. Up to the second level, a mezzanine study finishes the home, creating a great space to work & play. There is also plenty of storage space.

Close by there are beautiful pubs (The Wells Tavern is a local's favourite), a mini-market for your last minute organic vegetables & pint of milk, and even a doggy day care. Burgh House, a beautiful historic early Georgian mansion, is near and features The Hampstead Museum as well as a restaurant & coffee shop. The heath is also less than 5 minutes walk away.

Less then 8 minutes walk away is bustling Hampstead high street, packed full of coffee shops, restaurants, independent shops and supermarkets. Personal recommendations include 'Ginger & White' (for coffee & brunch) on Perrin's Place & '28 Church Row', a great small plates restaurant and cellar wine bar.

Hampstead tube station, located on the apex of the high street, connects with the Northern Line straight into the city in under 20 minutes. Several regular 24 hr bus routes also connect to the city and surrounding areas such as Belsize Park, Camden and Highgate.

History
This former coach house was originally the stable block for the adjacent house, and did not exist until the late 1890s.

At one time the previous dwelling would have had a carriage entrance, stables for a horse and a small flat above for the workers. The current property was not built until the very late Victorian period.

Hampstead Heath is the starting point for any history pertaining to the area, as documentary evidence from 986 states that five 'hides of land at Hemstede' were granted to the Abbot of Westminster, and then noted in the Domesday Book as the 'Manor of Hampstead'. Throughout the centuries there has been numerous attempts to develop the heath for residential dwellings, but was officially given protected status in 1871 by the passing of the Hampstead Heath Act.

The immediate area around the property dates from the early 1700s when it was known as an area of healing, where much like at Bath Spa, people would 'take the waters'. Roads surrounding Christchurch Hill are aptly named 'Well Road' & 'Well Walk', and there is the protected Chalybeate Well from which healing waters flowed for free for the public to fill their flasks, all make reference to this interesting history.

After the decline of its reputation as an area of healing, it fell into decline for decades until the arrival of the 'North London Line', in 1860 which brought day-trippers to the Heath. This opened up the area to a wider public, bringing with it new wealth, construction of housing and more extensive public & private amenities.

The opening of Hampstead Underground station in 1907 opened up the neighbourhood even further, inviting a plethora of creative types to settle such as George & Daphne Du Maurier, D.H.Lawrence, H. G. Wells (to name but a few), making Hampstead what it is today.

Tenure: Freehold