8 bedroom house for sale

Tenure: Freehold

Situation

Dancers Hill House stands in an elevated rural position within the Metropolitan Green Belt. The property is 2 miles equidistant from Potters Bar and Barnet, which provide a comprehensive range of shopping and other facilities, whilst the cathedral city of St Albans is just 7 miles distant. Central London is 17 miles to the South.

Transport links are excellent with the A1/M25 interchange 2 miles away. Fast and frequent trains leave Potters Bar and Hadley Wood, reaching Kings Cross in around 20 minutes or Moorgate in around 30 minutes. Alternatively, the Thameslink service from Radlett and St Albans offers an excellent service into Blackfriars/City Thameslink. The London underground service runs from both Cockfosters (Piccadilly line) and High Barnet (Northern Line). There is also good access to national airports with a direct train link to Gatwick from St Albans, taking approximately 70 minutes. Heathrow is within 25 miles, Luton airport 20 miles and Stansted is 36 miles distant.

The district is renowned for its strong selection of schools in both the private and state sectors. Prep schools include Norfolk Lodge (prep and nursery) Lochinver and Stormont, nearby public schools include Haberdashers' Aske's, Haileybury, Aldenham, Queenswood (for girls) St Albans school for boys and St Albans High School for Girls. State schools include Queen Elizabeth's Boys, Queen Elizabeth's Girls and Dame Alice Owens.

There are also a number of golf courses in the vicinity including Beech Hill, Old Fold, Dyrham Park and South Herts.

Description

Geoffrey de Mandeville, the earl of Essex, is assumed to have built a Motte and Bailey castle on the site of Dancers Hill House in the early 12th Century. Despite excavations in 1960, there is no further supporting evidence, although it became known as Mandeville Hill.

A manor house is the first recorded building on the site in 1558. Prior to becoming Queen, Princess Elizabeth would stay at this home to break the insufferable carriage journey between Hatfield House and London. It is thought that the princess took her afternoon tea under the old yew tree, which still stands at the front of the house.

Until Thomas Telford made the new straight road from Barnet to St Albans, the old coaching route was by Kitts End, Dancers Hill and Wash Lane (now known as Dancers Lane). The house was inhabited in turn by the Kettericks and by the Harrisons (the latter of whom added a bowling green), until 1768 when the property was acquired by George Byng of Wrotham Park, Later to become Admiral of the Fleet.

The core of the existing house is attributed to Charles Ross who rented the house from the mid 18th Century, although extensive alterations were made to the building by John Chapman in the 19th Century.
An avenue of Limes was planted along the western boundary during the reign of Queen Anne, who is also reputed to have stayed at the Old Manor House. This avenue remains today.

Listed Grade II, being of architectural importance, Dancers Hill House is described as a Palladian Villa, which has been significantly extended. The front elevation has the classical proportions of the period, constructed in brick, finished in render under a slate roof. A Modillion eaves cornice lies below the parapet.
Internally the house combines light and spacious reception rooms with comfortable bedroom accommodation. A particular feature is the excellent proportions of the principle reception rooms, which includes a drawing room, dining room and library. The drawing room opens through to the "viewing gallery", which overlooks the formal gardens to the rear of the house.
At lower ground floor level is the original kitchen with a magnificent old range and adjoining is the wine room and a traditional cellar. A single bedroom self contained apartment has been incorporated into the East Wing.
Outside, situated to the northeast of the house, is Ivy Mantle, a charming three bedroom cottage. With two reception rooms, and a fitted kitchen/dining room. Ivy Mantle is ideal as secondary accommodation for guests, staff or relatives or as a home office.

The gardens and grounds provide a magnificent setting for the house. The informal lawns and parkland to the south include a charming lake, stocked with a selection of fish. To the rear are the formal gardens with rose beds set within walled areas, creating peace and tranquillity. The gardens include a magnificent selection of mature trees including Cedar, Limes and Yew, whilst in the spring the grounds are carpeted in daffodils and bluebells.

Accommodation

Reception hall, drawing room, dining room, library, games room, conservatory, kitchen/breakfast room, second kitchen, 7 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms (3 en suite), utility room, laundry room, cloakroom, wine store, wine cellar, self contained annexe with sitting room, kitchen, bedroom & bathroom, 3 bedroom, 2 reception cottage linked by pergola to the main house, mature gardens and grounds of about 6.5 acres, adjoining 9 acres of paddocks

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