Telegraph House, West Square, Kennington, , SE11 £3,000,000 Freehold Winkworth present to the market a unique house in West Square, which has not been on the market for over 30 years. Steeped in history, this Georgian house is arranged over 5 floors and located on one of South London's premier squares. George Carter designed the garden, which is the largest gardens on the square and extends all the way to Hayles Street.

winkworth.co.uk See things differently LOCATION West Square is situated within a conservation area just off St Georges Road. The property is also is situated in the Congestion Zone.

THE HISTORY The Square is named after the West family who owned the land. The first houses were built in 1791-2; and from at least 1795 number 36 was owned by the Admiralty, becoming the headquarters of the shutter telegraph system, which sent visual signals using a form of semaphore. From the roof, the Admiralty in Whitehall was visible and the house was the residence of the Superintendent of the Telegraph. Lines ran from here to the naval ports of Chatham, Portsmouth and Plymouth. In 1812 the construction of the new Bethlehem Hospital (Bedlam), now the , obstructed the view from the house to the Admiralty, so it was proposed to move the telegraph into the dome of the new building. However, it was argued that the noise of the shutter system would terrify the insane inmates and permission was refused. Consequently a high wooden tower was erected on the house, allowing the line of sight to be retained. The tower was demolished in the 1840s, when the electric telegraph arrived. The top storey of number 36 is formed from the brick base of the lost wooden tower. Over the years successive Superintendents made further changes to the house, adding the bow window at the front and extending it at the rear. The last Commander, Charles Jay was allowed to stay here when the telegraph closed and his descendants lived in the house until the early 20th century.

DESCRIPTION Lower Ground Floor - To the rear of the building there is a modern fully fitted kitchen with plenty of storage and work surfaces. There is a small sash window by the sink, which overlooks the large garden. To the front, there is a large dining room, with built in storage either side of the chimney breast. There is also additional storage under the front steps and a door, which leads to the coal store outside the building.

The half landing between the lower ground floor and raised ground floor provides access to the stunning garden. The garden extends all the way to Hayles Street and is also accessible from this street, via a door at the end of the garden.

Raised Ground Floor - To the front of the building there is a spectacular reception room, which enjoys views over the square through the bow windows in the curved bay at the front of the house. A door conveniently connects the front reception room with a second reception room to the rear. This room has views over the garden through the sash window at the back of the house. Both reception rooms include open fireplaces and original mantlepieces.

The half landing between the raised ground floor and the first floor provides a W.C.

First Floor - The master bedroom is at the front of the building and has two sash windows overlooking the square and plenty of storage in the built in wardrobes. The master bedroom further benefits from a fully tiled en-suite bathroom with a shower, separate bath, sink and a W.C. There is another double bedroom to the rear of the building with a sash window overlooking the garden; this is currently being used as a study.

Second Floor - There are two double bedrooms to the front and one to the rear of the building. There is also a family bathroom with shower, bath, sink and W.C.

Third Floor - This is a self contained flat with a bedroom to the rear and a reception room to the front. There is also a small fully fitted modern kitchen and a shower room.

DIRECTIONS Station (National Rail, Northern & Bakerloo Lines) is only 400 metres walk. North (Bakerloo Line) is 650 metres walk. Westminster Bridge is nearby with easy access into Westminster by foot.

LOCAL AUTHORITY Southwark Council, London

TENURE Freehold

This floorplan is for illustration purposes only and is not to scale. The position and size of doors, windows, appliances and other features are approximate.

Kennington | 020 7587 0600 | [email protected] winkworth.co.ukwinkworth.co.uk See things differently Under the Property Misdescriptions Act 1991, these Particulars are a guide and act as information only. All details are given in good faith and are believed to be correct at time of printing. Winkworth give no representation as to their accuracy and potential purchasers or tenants must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise as to their correctness. No employee of Winkworth has authority to make or give any representation or warranty in relation to this property.