West Hill Park, London, N6

Minutes from the greenery of Hampstead Heath, this wonderful two-bedroom house lies within Highgate’s West Hill Park estate. It was built in the 1970s and retains a series of characterful features from this time, including timber-framed windows, original doors and a spiral staircase. Its living spaces and bedrooms are above a private garage on the ground-floor level, an elevated configuration that draws in plenty of natural light and captures leafy treetop views.

The Architect

West Hill Park is a private gated estate built in the 1970s to a design by Ted Levy Benjamin and Partners.

The practice designed a number of developments and one-off houses in north London throughout the 1970s and early 1980s. Usually built in red brick, with timber-framed windows and pitched roofs, they are notable for their clever use of natural light.

The Estate

Part of the Highgate conservation area, the original character and appearance of the estate has been well preserved since it was built. Rendered near invisible from the surrounding public spaces, the estate was thoughtfully designed in such a way that it is screened by the adjacent terrain and greenery. A private pathway from West Hill Park winds down to Hampstead Heath, solidifying the connection between the two.

The Tour

There are two points of entry to the house: via the ground-floor, which passes a WC and a door to the garage, or directly to the first-floor living space.

The latter is a beautifully lit and dynamic room. An angular skylight on entry casts shards of light through the room; a timber-framed window on one side adds to this brightness. The room is predominantly occupied by a sitting area orientated towards a log-burning stove and a wall of open shelves.

Timber floors spread out underfoot and continue into the rear kitchen, neatly tucked behind a sliding door. U-shaped cabinetry has plenty of storage space along with an oven and a four-ring hob. Above, a wonderful ribbon window allows light to seep in.

A sculptural staircase winds up to the first-floor landing, from which a bathroom with original timber panelling extends.

There are two bedrooms on this level. The larger is divided between two elevations, with a short run of steps connecting both spaces. The design is ripe to delineate the sleeping space from a study or a sitting area. A bank of beautiful timber-framed windows spread up the far wall onto the ceiling, washing the room with natural light.

The second bedroom also has timber-framed windows that overlook the leafy estate.

The Area

West Hill Park occupies a fantastic position on the edge of Hampstead Heath. The Heath offers freshwater swimming year-round in the nearby men’s and ladies' Bathing Ponds and some of London’s most beautiful woodland walks. In addition to elevated views of the city from Parliament Hill, there are tennis courts, cafés and Kenwood House, a wonderful 17th-century country house and gallery. Highgate Cemetery, one of London's 'Magnificent Seven', is also a short walk away.

Highgate village is nearby and has a wide variety of shops, cafés, pubs and restaurants. The area is home to some of London’s best independent schools, including Highgate School and Channing School, along with St Michael’s Primary.

Swain’s Lane and its wonderful array of shops are also easily reached, including Bourne’s Fishmongers, Fam Greengrocers and Gail’s.

The Northern line at Highgate and Archway provides direct access to King’s Cross, the West End and the City, and there are convenient road links to the A1, leading to the M1, A406 and M25. There are also plenty of bus routes in the local area.

Council Tax Band: F