St Nicholas Close, Elstree, Hertfordshire

Authentic and characterful, this spacious 1960s house in Elstree, Hertfordshire, was purpose-built for family living, and has been with the same owners ever since. It takes an upside-down layout, placing the living spaces on the upper level, where bespoke joinery and swathes of glazing uphold an unmistakably mid-century air. There are five bedrooms in total, all with restorative views of the verdant, tree-filled garden that wraps around the house.



The Tour



Set down quiet St Nicholas Close, this house sits in a private position, immersed in nature thanks to the verdant garden that wraps around each side. At the front, a gravel-laid driveway extends towards the entrance, providing space for cars and giving access to a large double garage.



Each aspect of the house is unique in design, creating a singular, dynamic home. Entry is from the side, to a beautiful hallway where an original open-tread staircase in a scissor shape extends up to the upper level.



On the first floor are the living spaces, arranged in an open plan that facilitates an easy sense of flow. Fine panelling extends overhead, and wall-to-wall glazing allows light to flood in from opposite sides. Versatile in nature, the room has ample space for distinct dining and sitting areas. On one side, a door opens to a peaceful study or playroom, where a wide window with a deep sill provides space to place ceramics and/or photographs.



With a clear line of sight to the rest of the room, the kitchen sits tucked around one corner. Carefully looked after period cabinetry provides plenty of storage space, and appliances include ovens and a gas hob. The units are arranged to create an opening that looks out to a thick oak breakfast bar beneath windows overlooking the garden.



The largest bedroom is on the upper floor, with a large sliding door that opens to the balcony at the front of the house. This is a charming space with built-in wardrobes and a neat bathroom with a bath and a shower.



The remaining five bedrooms are all downstairs and have a flexible feel. One was designed as a playroom for the owners in the 1960s and has double doors to the garden, while another has a whimsical 1960s wallpaper. There is a second bathroom down here, as well as a capacious utility room.



Outdoor Space



An enchanting garden surrounds the house, studded with a variety of mature trees, including silver birch, acer, copper beech and apple. Generous lawns provide space for picnicking and playing in the summer, and sequestered pockets are perfect for quiet reading.



The balcony at the front of the house can be accessed from the first floor, from either the living space or the bedroom, or via a striking spiral staircase leading from the garden. South-facing, it receives a day-long light and has space for hosting and/or dining outdoors. Below the balcony is an established wisteria that blooms purple in the spring.



The Area



Elstree is a large village on the north-western fringes of London. There are plenty of green spaces nearby, including Aldenham Country Park and Stanmore Country Park, while the open greenery of Hampstead Heath is less than 30 minutes’ drive away. The National Trust’s Morvern Park in Potters Bar is also easily reached by car.



A comprehensive range of supermarkets lies within easy reach, including a branch of Waitrose. There are some delightful towns to visit nearby, including Radlett, home to Shenley Park, which has a delightful café in an orchard and is host to a variety of summertime concerts, plays and other events. Battlers Green Farm, a working farm and shopping village home to a range of highly distinctive shops, including a butcher's, fishmongers and a florist, is around eight minutes outside of Elstree.



The area is known for its excellent schools: Haberdashers’ boys and girls are both nearby, along with St Albans School. State options include Queens’ School, Stanborough Secondary School, and Summerswood Primary School.



Regular and swift Thameslink services run from Elstree & Borehamwood station (a five-minute drive away) to St Pancras in as little as 22 minutes; the same service proceeds to Farringdon and Blackfriars. Stanmore Station and Edgeware stations are both an eight-minute drive away, being on the Jubilee and Northern lines respectively. By car, central London is accessible via the A1/M1.



Council Tax Band: G