High Chase Rise, Little Hayward, Staffordshire

Designed by architect Harry Weedon in 1965, this four-bedroom mid-century house is tucked away in a quiet cul-de-sac in Little Haywood, a bucolic village next to the Cannock Chase National Landscape. Exposed painted brickwork, original internal doors and a double-height atrium speak to its period, and a tumbling lawned garden unfolds at the rear. Stafford is a short drive away and has direct rail links to London and Birmingham.

The Architect

The Weedon Partnership, founded by Harry Weedon, became renowned in the 1930s - a golden age for cinema-building in the UK - for designing iconic art deco buildings for Odeon. Under Weedon's leadership, the firm developed a sleek, modernist style that became synonymous with the chain. Today, the firm continues as Weedon Architects, involved in diverse commercial and public projects.

The Building

Recently updated with render and clad in cedar, the house cuts a striking profile in the centre of the cul-du-sac. Named ‘The Beverly’ and inspired by Californian residential architecture, it was originally designed as the show home for a development designed to relocate the directors of a large company. Its flat roof and compact presence caused much consternation at the time - as a result, it's the only dwelling within the cluster to not be crowned with a pitch.

The Tour

A double garage and a driveway provide parking for several cars. Lawned wraparound gardens planted with magnolia and pear trees, fir and topiary buxus extend a warm welcome in front of a lime-coloured front door sheltered by an overhead storm porch.

The crisp white interiors have been interspersed with playful pops of modernist-inspired colour. Welcoming light flows around the plan and the original herringbone parquet flooring unfolds underfoot. Exposed structural brickwork elements are beautifully maintained and the double-height volumes from the atrium adds an unexpected loftiness.

From the spacious entrance lobby is a large carpeted study overlooking the garden; there is also a downstairs cloakroom with WC.

Wide double doors reveal the main living space, where a Morso log burner acts as a central focal point. The creative heart of the home, this space is designed for sociable gatherings.

A set of wide teak-framed double doors reveal a formal dining room, before a wide door reveals the generous kitchen. Here, colour is added to the otherwise pared-back scheme: turquoise-blue wall tiles are paired against white kitchen cabinetry arranged in an L-shape. Integrated appliances include a Smeg hob and Zanussi oven. There is also plenty of room for an informal dining set-up.

High windows draw light across the carpeted staircase that ascends from the central living space. Upstairs are four bedrooms, all of a good size and with carpeted floors and original built-in wardrobes finished in Bauhaus-inspired primary colours. The principal room has rejuvenating views over towards Cannock Chase.

Set centrally, the shared bathroom sports wonderfully sunny egg-yolk coloured tiles.

Outdoor Space

A dramatic lawned garden wraps around the house. To the front, a host of pretty trees and mature hydrangea border the driveway. At the rear is a sheltered brick-walled patio area, ideal for outside entertaining. Steps leading up to a sprawling lawn with ample space to kick a ball or relax on sun loungers.

There is a double garage and ample space for several cars in front of the house.

The Area

Little Haywood is a picturesque village bordering Cannock Chase in the middle of Staffordshire. Local amenities include two pubs, the Lamb and Flag, and the Red Lion. Canalside is wonderful farm shop and café next to the historic Trent and Mersey canals at Great Haywood.

On the doorstep is Cannock Chase, a National Landscape (formerly known as an AONB). The magnificent Grade I-listed landscape and parkland forms part of the National Trust-owned Shugborough Estate. There are over 900 acres of rambling forest walks, cycling and horse riding. These woods are considered JRR Tolkien’s inspiration for Hobbiton - the established 'Tolkien Trail' is a brilliant way to while away an afternoon. In summer, magical outdoor concerts are held against a canopy of backlit trees.

Nearby is the medieval market town Stafford, defined by the winding curves of the River Sow. This well-served town has a wide variety of shops and supermarkets, café, restaurants and traditional pubs. Notably, the Spittal Brook holds regular events and quiz nights, the Swan Coaching House is a terrific dining spot to enjoy live music, and the 16th Century Soup Kitchen is a lovely place for homemade tea and cakes.

To the south is the historic city of Lichfield, under 20 minutes away by car and has good theatre, independent shops and wonderful restaurants including Larder. Stone, just to the north, is renowned for its food and drink festivals and farmers' markets.

Nearby schools include Stafford Grammar School, as well as many well-regarded primary schools.

There are good transport links to Sheffield, Liverpool and Manchester to the north and Wolverhampton and Birmingham to the south. Direct trains to London Euston take an hour and 20 minutes.

Council Tax Band: E