Cloisters Court, London N6

This one-bedroom apartment in Highgate occupies a peaceful position on the ground floor of Cloisters Court, a converted Gothic revival church that dates to the late-19th century. Lofty ceiling heights and a palette of deep greens characterise the interior spaces of the apartment, which spreads across more than 650 sq ft, and light pours through original stained glass windows to fall in soft shades of red and yellow. Cloisters Court is within walking distance of Hampstead Heath, Highgate Woods and Waterlow Park, as well as the many independent restaurants, cafes and shops Highgate has to offer.



Setting the Scene



In the late 1800s, the population of Highgate grew rapidly as city dwellers sought refuge from the smoke of central London and relocated to this village nestled in the woods. This prompted a flurry of development in the area, of which Cloisters Court was part. The Gothic revival Presbyterian church was designed by architects Potts, Sulman and Hennings and constructed in 1887. The building's original features were wonderfully maintained when the church was converted to apartments in the 1970s. For more information, please see the History section.



The Grand Tour



From the side of the building, which is draped in wisteria and David Austin climbing roses, a small path lined with blue geraniums and foxgloves leads to the private entrance of the apartment. The front door opens to a hallway painted in 'Pale Powder' by Farrow and Ball, and impressive monochromatic marble tiles laid in a harlequin pattern run underfoot. From the hallway, a set of double-glazed doors open to the reception room. The high ceilings in this room evoke the original proportions of the building as a church, and the thoughtful approach to transforming the building into apartments makes a space perfectly suited for modern living.



One end of the reception room is currently arranged as a living space, and here a bay of casement windows acts as a focal point. The dappled textures of the original stained glass windows allow light to pour into the room, creating a beautiful play of soft shades. These shades create a striking contrast with the deep-green-painted walls. At the other end of the reception room is the kitchen with painted cabinetry and Apollo Quartz worksurfaces, and a butler sink. There is ample space for a dining table in this room, too, making it an ideal space for entertaining.



The bedroom leads from the hallway. Here, William Morris printed 'Pimpernel' wallpaper adorns one wall, a pattern originally hanging in the dining room of Morris’s home in Kelmscott House. There are two more casement windows topped with original stained glass. Their splayed reveals allow light to fill the room, and the deep sills make an ideal place for a bunch of flowers or a favourite piece of art. Built-in wardrobes provide excellent storage, a cast-iron radiator, and brass door furniture chime with the building’s historic origins.



At the end of the hallway is a handy cloakroom. Beyond this is the bathroom, where bottle green tiles echo the apartment's colour palette. It has a spacious monsoon shower and pedimented Bayswater sink.



Out and About



This apartment is perfectly positioned for some of London’s best green spaces. Waterlow Park is just across the road and provides a vantage point for taking far-reaching views over the City and walks wake one past a pond fed from natural springs and both native and exotic species (be sure to see the rare fruiting Strawberry tree at Lauderdale House). Hampstead Heath is less than a 20-minute walk away, where the men’s and women’s swimming ponds offer year-round freshwater swimming. Further aquatic pleasures can also be found at nearby Hampstead Heath Lido. The Heath is home to Kenwood House, Robert Adam’s masterpiece stately home, now open to the public, housing a renowned collection of artworks and a charming café. The ancient woodlands of Highgate Wood and the Parkland Walk are also nearby.



Highgate Village can be reached in 10 minutes by foot; here, there is a plethora of independent shops, cafes, pubs, and restaurants. There is an excellent fruit and vegetable shop, Greens of Highgate, as well as a Bottle for cellar provisions. Also in Highgate is The Flask pub in a building that dates to the 17th century, pouring an excellent selection of cask ales and serving a changing menu of seasonal fare. Further local pubs of note include The Bull and Last and The Red Lion.



Swain’s Lane, running between Waterlow Park and Highgate Cemetery, is another local hub. Electric Daisy Flower Farm, Kalendar coffee shop, Roni’s Deli, Superette, and Bourne’s fishmongers are all local favourites, as is London stalwart Gail's Bakery.



Cloisters Court is a 10-minute walk from Archway underground station (Northern line) and a fifteen-minute walk from Upper Holloway station for overground travel.



Tenure: Share of Freehold

Lease Length: approx. 985 years remaining

Service Charge: approx. £4,347 per annum

Ground Rent: n/a

Council Tax Band: D