Kings Road, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire HP4

Set well back from Kings Road behind a gated entrance shared by just four homes, Treetops is a substantial five bedroom house occupying a notably private position in Berkhamsted.

Extending to just over 3,200 sqft, the house is oriented towards a level south-westerly garden, with much of its living space and several of the bedrooms opening to the light and greenery behind.

The house has been extensively enlarged and remodelled over time, its present form bearing little resemblance to the original home from which it evolved. What has emerged is an expansive family house whose architecture is increasingly open as it moves towards the garden: rooms connect through wide openings, ceilings rise into the roofline and long runs of glazing dissolve much of the rear elevation.

This sense of scale is established on arrival. Two tall windows flank the entrance, drawing light into a generous central hall from which the ground-floor accommodation unfolds. A cloakroom sits to one side, with internal access to the integral garage to the other.

At the rear, the plan opens dramatically into a family and dining room extending to approximately 38ft. Oak runs underfoot and an almost continuous sequence of glazing faces south-west, with two sets of double doors and further bifold doors opening onto the terrace. Afternoon light moves across the full depth of the room, while the garden forms an ever-present backdrop.

The spaces around it are connected rather than entirely open plan. Wide, doorless openings lead into the sitting room, snug/music room and kitchen, allowing each to retain its own purpose while remaining visually connected to the larger space at the centre of the house.

The sitting room provides a more enclosed counterpoint, with a contemporary fireplace set against dark, richly patterned walls. The adjoining snug is smaller and more intimate again, lending itself equally well to music, reading or simply retreat from the principal living spaces.

The kitchen occupies one side of the plan and is fitted with traditionally detailed cabinetry, granite worktops and a stainless-steel range cooker, together with integrated appliances. A separate utility room sits immediately beyond.

A further room is currently used as a gym. Air-conditioned and finished with oak flooring, it could equally become a study, playroom or additional reception space.

The emphasis on light and volume continues upstairs. Of the five bedrooms, three generous doubles face south-west across the garden. The principal bedroom occupies one of two projecting gables, where glazing rises almost the full height of the elevation beneath a vaulted ceiling of more than 10ft. The effect is unusually open, with the garden filling much of the view from within. Fitted wardrobes, air conditioning and an en suite shower room complete the suite.

A second vaulted bedroom mirrors this arrangement at the opposite end of the elevation, again with a dramatic wall of glass and air conditioning. Another double bedroom has fitted wardrobes and air conditioning, while a fourth also incorporates built-in storage. Two contemporary bath and shower rooms serve the guest bedrooms.

The garden is unusually level for Berkhamsted, with a south-westerly orientation that makes the most of the afternoon and evening sun. A deep paved terrace runs along the rear of the house, effectively extending the principal living spaces outside, before giving way to lawn. Mature hedging, established trees and planting enclose the plot on all sides, creating a strong sense of privacy.

To the front, Treetops forms part of a discreet enclave of four individual homes approached through a shared gated entrance. Its own driveway provides parking for four cars in addition to the integral garage.

Despite its secluded position, the house remains closely connected to the town. Berkhamsted railway station is approximately one mile away, while local schools, the High Street and the town’s wider amenities are all within easy reach.

Treetops is a house conceived on a generous scale, but its success lies in more than square footage alone. Across the rear elevation, glass, volume and orientation work together: living spaces follow the garden, sunlight travels deep into the plan and the vaulted bedrooms above turn towards the same green outlook. Outside, the level lawn provides the breathing space for it all - a private, south-westerly setting that feels particularly prized in Berkhamsted.

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