Reynards Road, Welwyn, Hertfordshire

Built in the 1960s, this remarkable single-storey house lies in a leafy plot on the fringes of Welwyn, Hertfordshire. It was designed by the architect Ralph Baldwin as his own home and has been sympathetically updated by subsequent owners. Configured in an open-plan layout, the house is characterised by its wealth of preserved mid-century features, including boarded ceilings, floating walls and a liberal use of glazing. Inside is seamlessly integrated with a private, half-acre garden; there is also a garage/workshop and a self-contained one-bedroom annexe.

The Tour

The house is set back from a shared private approach road. Surrounded by established broad-leafed trees and grassy lawns, a short driveway bounds the front garden. This culminates at the paved walkway/terrace, lined with well-maintained shrubs and perennials, leading to the front of the house.

The building's flat-roofed, white façade is defined by crisp angles and a charcoal-painted fascia board that stretches along the roofline. The glazed front door is recessed between two lateral wings, allowing for unobstructed lines of sight through the entrance hall to the rear garden beyond.

Flooded with natural light care of floor-to-ceiling glazing, the generous hall visually connects both front and back gardens. Crisp white walls, white-washed shiplap ceilings and terracotta-tiled floors combine to create a welcoming space.

On the left is a generous and airy reception room with access to a south-facing terrace through sliding glass doors. On the right is an enclosed U-shaped kitchen, with contemporary white units and views over the front garden. Dual-aspect, the dining room has delightful views of the garden. Bounding glazed screens meld this area with the sunken west-facing patio - an ideal spot for late afternoon barbeques.

Something of a suntrap, the bright conservatory is an inviting retreat for reading or relaxing year-round and gives way to an adjacent study, cinema or games room. There is also a study, a utility room and a shower room on the other side of the hall.

There are three well-proportioned bedrooms: the spacious principal is at the front, with built-in wardrobes on two sides, a compact en suite shower room and uplifting views of the garden.

Two additional bedrooms lie at the rear, with large openings that afford leafy views of the secluded back garden. A shared bathroom is accessible from the hallway and has a bathtub and white mosaic tiles.

The rear section of the garage has been converted into a self-contained one-bedroom studio/annexe with a generous kitchen, shower room, and sitting, dining, and sleeping areas.

Outside Spaces

The house sits immersed in a plot of around half an acre, overlooking green belt land. Secluded and quiet, with a rural ambience, the garden is bounded by an impressive array of mature trees, shrubbery and, in late spring, swathes of cow parsley.

Several rooms have direct access to the paved terrace that extends along the back of the house, with areas for outdoor dining and lounging on warmer days. Banks of glazed doors in the living room also slide open to the south-facing patio - perfect for starting the day with a coffee, basking in the morning sunshine.

The generous grassy lawns, front and back, provide space for a game of football or cricket.

Originally the home of Baldwin’s collection of classic cars, the garage/workshop is unusually large, with high ceilings and an EV charger. It is partly used by the current owner as a workshop.

The Area

The house is located on Reynards Road, a private street just 15 minutes' walk from the village centre of Welwyn, also known as Old Welwyn. The village hub is well-served with a good selection of shops, pubs, and excellent dining options, alongside GPs, a dentist and other amenities.

Welwyn Garden City is approximately five miles south, offering a wider range of facilities, including a large shopping centre with a John Lewis department store and Waitrose supermarket.

St Albans is a 30-minute drive away and renowned for its thriving centre, dotted with enticing cafés, restaurants, independent shops and weekly markets - including the oldest street market in England. It is characterised by its historic architecture and many listed buildings, as well as St Albans Cathedral, Roman Verulamium Park and Museum and the River Ver.

There are many country parks and woodlands nearby, including Heartwood Forest, the site of England's largest new native woodland, Hatfield House and Tring Park.

Welwyn has a well-regarded primary school, and many more options are available in nearby villages and towns.

Welwyn North train station is less than three miles away and runs services to London King’s Cross in 19 minutes in one direction, or to Cambridge in 52 minutes in the other. Luton Airport is less than 30 minutes away by car.

Council Tax Band: G