John O’Gaddesden’s House Little Gaddesden, Hertfordshire, HP4 1PF John O’Gaddesden’s House Little Gaddesden, Hertfordshire, HP4 1PF A historical family home with beautifully presented Berkhamsted 5 miles (London Euston 35 minutes) gardens set centrally in the village of Little Gaddesden Central London (Baker Street) 33 miles u Hemel Hempstead 7 miles u M1 (J8) 9 ½ miles u M25 (J20) 13 miles u Luton Airport 12 miles u Heathrow Airport 33 miles (Distances and times are approximate) Accommodation and amenities Reception hall u drawing room u morning room Historical Note family room u dining room u John O’Gaddesden room John O’Gaddesden was born in 1280 and was probably kitchen/breakfast room u wine cellar u utility room the son or relative of the John O’Gaddesden who was cloakroom one of the original sponsors of the College of Bonhomes, at Ashridge established in 1286 and now the renowned Master bedroom with en-suite shower room Ashridge Management Collage. He studied at Merton 5 further bedrooms u solar u study u 2 further College, Oxford and graduated a Bachelor of Medicine in bathrooms u shower room 1307, later becoming court Physician to Kings Edward I, II Driveway parking u formal gardens and III. He completed his Rosa Angelica, a treatise on the Approximately one acre in all practise of medicine which was a major reference book and used throughout Europe for over 300 years. He went Situation on to take Holy Orders, and was appointed ‘Kings Clerk’ in John O’Gaddesden’s House is set in the heart of the the service of the King and later joined the entourage of sought after village of Little Gaddesden just off The Green the Black Prince at the Battle of Crecy. with views towards the Ashridge Estate. This picturesque village is situated approximately 5 miles north of the It has been said that Chaucer, a contemporary of popular market town of Berkhamsted. Parts of the O’Gaddesden at court, used him as the model for the village of Little Gaddesden and the surrounding area ‘Doctour of Physick’ character in ‘The Doctors Tale’ and also of the Ashridge Estate are owned by the National Trust referred to his work in the prologue to the Canterbury Tales. and the location has been used in many well known TV The historic link between John O’Gaddesden and the programmes and films including ‘Midsomer Murders’ house has never been proven, but the association with his and more recently ‘Harry Potter’, ‘Stardust’ and ‘Son of name and Ashridge has existed for centuries. There is also Ranbow’. Of notable historical interest Little Gaddesden is an ancient reference to ‘Gaddesden where Lord of Darbye part of the parish of St Peter and St Paul, a section of which has a pretty manor house of timber’. Darbye was Henry was formerly a part of Buckinghamshire. Bolinbroke, a close relative of the Black Prince, and who Amenities within the village include a local shop, later became Henry IV in 1399. Bridgewater Arms public house and The Little Gaddesden The House Church of England School. The town of Berkhamsted John O’Gaddesden’s House is Grade II* listed, being of provides varied shopping and leisure facilities, excellent particular architectural and historical importance. Part of transport links and a variety of both state and private the house is thought to date back to the 13th century and schools. to have been substantially remodelled in the 15th century. It is timber framed, with an over-sailing upper storey with exposed timbers and pargetry infilling. In the late 1940’s the west and south wings were throughout the house there are fine exposed timbers, and character, with elegant parterres at the front, lawns constructed, skillfully blending with the original, using oak doors in the 16th century style and original oak and both formal and informal shaded by trees and interposed material from three fine 16th to 18th century houses which stone flooring. The windows, with leaded lights (some with with flowerbeds with masses of flowering shrubs and were being demolished. original fastenings) are set in oak mullions. bulbs, and arbours and pergolas bedecked by roses and clematis. Tall hedges screen the boundaries and the The house has a wealth of splendid features of great Despite its historical and architectural significance, John gardens form a secluded setting for the house. To the east interest, including the magnificent first floor Solar or Great O’Gaddesden’s House forms a delightful family home, its of the house is a discreetly sited hard tennis court. Chamber, thirty feet in length, with a lofty vaulted ceiling extensive accommodation having great charm, coupled with king post and moulded oak beams, with intricate with all modern facilities, including a well fitted kitchen/ The house is approached on foot from the front through carvings. It has a stone fireplace, which is surrounded by breakfast room, modern bathroom suites and oil fired three wrought iron gates and brick and flagstone paths, Jacobean panelling. The dining room is panelled in early central heating. whilst at the side of the property with access through Georgian pine and has a formal Tudor fireplace believed electric gates from Church Road, a drive leads to the rear to be from Ashridge House following the dissolution Gardens of the house terminating in a large turning circle and of the monasteries. Both the sitting room and John The house sits within delightful private gardens, which providing access to the integral double garage. O’Gaddesden’s room have deep inglenook fireplaces, and have been beautifully landscaped to complement its age Services Mains water, electricity. Oil fired central heating. Private drainage. Fixtures and fittings Only those mentioned in these sales particulars are included in the sale. All others such as fitted carpets, curtains, light fittings and garden ornaments are specifically excluded but may be available by separate negotiation. Directions From the High Street in Berkhamsted turn into Ravens Lane and proceed over the cross roads into Gravel Path. At the crossroads at the top of the hill proceed straight across through Nettleden and into Little Gaddesden. As The Green end turn right onto Church Road and the driveway to John O’Gaddesden’s House is immediately on the right hand side. Agents note The Lordship of the Manor of Little Gaddesden is available for acquisition by the purchaser of the property by separate negotiation. Terms Tenure: Freehold Local Authority: Dacorum Borough Council, Civic Centre, Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead HP1 1HH 01442 228000 Viewing: Strictly by appointment with the sole selling agents Knight Frank Berkhamsted 01442 861610 Wood Store Approximate Gross Internal Area = 424 sq m / 4564 sq ft Cellar = 21 sq m / 226 sq ft Garage = 35 sq m / 377 sq ft Total = 480 sq m / 5167 sq ft Office / Play Room 3.80 x 1.90 12'6 x 6'3 Utility N Room S = Reduced headroom below 1.5 m / 5'0 B Attic/ Bedroom 6 Bedroom 2 3.60 x 3.00 4.60 x 3.10 11'10 x 9'10 15'1 x 10'2 Dn Kitchen 6.90 x 4.60 Up Sitting Room 22'8 x 15'1 5.90 x 4.90 Bedroom 1 SECOND FLOOR 19'4 x 16'1 6.00 x 5.40 19'8 x 17'9 Dn Hall Up Up In Bedroom 5 4.70 x 2.50 John Gaddesden Room Bedroom 3 Dn Garage 15'5 x 8'2 GROUND FLOOR 6.30 x 3.30 5.40 x 3.30 6.90 x 5.10 20'8 x 10'10 Up 17'9 x 10'10 22'8 x 16'9 Bedroom 4 Up 4.70 x 2.50 15'5 x 8'2 Dn Dining Room FIRST FLOOR 5.70 x 4.00 18'8 x 13'1 CELLAR Solar 9.00 x 5.40 Up 29'6 x 17'9 Up Study 4.40 x 3.50 4.70 x 4.00 Dn 14'5 x 11'6 15'5 x 13'1 Dn These plans are for guidance only and must not be relied upon as a statement of fact. Attention is drawn to the Important Notice. Important Notice 1. Particulars: These particulars are not an offer or contract, nor part of one. You should not rely on statements by Knight Frank LLP in the particulars or by 01442 861610 020 7629 8171 word of mouth or in writing (“information”) as being factually accurate about the property, its condition or its value. Neither Knight Frank LLP nor any joint 136 High Street, Berkhamsted, 55 Baker Street, London agent has any authority to make any representations about the property, and accordingly any information given is entirely without responsibility on the part of the agents, seller(s) or lessor(s). 2. Photos etc: The photographs show only certain parts of the property as they appeared at the time they were taken. Hertfordshire HP4 3AT W1U 8AN Areas, measurements and distances given are approximate only. 3. Regulations etc: Any reference to alterations to, or use of, any part of the property does [email protected] [email protected] not mean that any necessary planning, building regulations or other consent has been obtained. A buyer or lessee must find out by inspection or in other ways that these matters have been properly dealt with and that all information is correct. 4. VAT: The VAT position relating to the property may change without notice. 5. Grammar School catchment areas: Any reference to a property being in a specific catchment area should not be relied upon as a statement of fact and should be verified with the appropriate Local Education Authority.