Fish Street, Redbourn, St. Albans, Hertfordshire

A magnificent Grade II Listed house with splendid original features and a storied history.

Sitting room | Drawing room | Dining room | Snug/study | Kitchen | Cloakroom | Principal bedroom with en suite bathroom | 4 Further bedrooms | Family bathroom | Further study | cellar | Pool house | Summer house | Walled garden

Launay House is a delightful Grade II Listed property located in the heart of the desirable village of Redbourn, close to the beautiful Common and within the village conservation area. The house was formerly a farmhouse, and is thought to date from the 17th century, built on the site of a chapel dedicated to St Amphibalus part of a medieval Priory and its history is on display at the Redbourn Village Museum. The house has been meticulously restored, retaining many original features including beams, original brick and oak floors, sash windows and shutters, fireplaces, Georgian doors and panelling. Conservation work has included specialist repointing in lime mortar, relaying the roof with reclaimed clay peg tiles, renewing lead roofs, and conservation and repairs to the windows and shutters. Launay House features a welcoming reception hall leading into a light-filled, comfortable sitting room with painted panelling and a grand inglenook fireplace. The elegant dual aspect drawing room has original oak flooring, attractive brick fireplace, period panelling, gas Jotul stove, and a large sash window with recessed shutters.

There is also a cosy snug/ study with painted cupboards, fireplace, and delightful views of the garden from the bay window. The dining room has beamed walls, an original brick floor and an old bread oven and leads though to the kitchen. The kitchen has an impressive vaulted ceiling and is fitted with handmade cabinets and larder cupboards, with granite worktops and a butler’s sink. There are four well presented first-floor double bedrooms, all with period features and builtin cupboards. The principal bedroom has original oak floorboards, a large Georgian sash window overlooking the garden, and an ensuite bathroom. The first floor also includes a large family bathroom. The second floor has an additional double bedroom and an adjoining study, which is ideal for peaceful, private home working.

Launay House has a splendid walled garden, ideal for family games, with well-maintained lawns, box hedging and established borders. Mature trees throughout the garden include Scots pine, weeping variegated holly, beech, quince, medlar, lime and a large mulberry tree providing good coverage and privacy. There is an outdoor swimming pool, heated by air source heat pump, with an oak framed pool house/games room and its own sun terrace with palm trees and bamboo. The grounds also include a double-glazed summer house/workshop and a timber playhouse. The large cellar provides useful additional storage space. The front of the house has a decorative ironwork porch, and
borders planted with box hedges, roses, and grapevines.

A driveway off Fish Street Farm leads to a fivebar wooden gate providing access to the front of Launay House with a private parking area for multiple vehicles and a turning circle, and views over the lawned garden of Fish Street Farm. There is also a separate gravel driveway from Fish Street giving rear access to Launay House. The house is attached to a neighbouring cottage via the single-storey kitchen end of the house

M1 (Jct 9) 2.6 miles, Harpenden town centre 3.1 miles, Harpenden mainline station 3.3 miles (19 minutes to London St Pancras), St. Albans 4.0 miles, Welwyn Garden City 9.5 miles