Great Nast Hyde House

great nast hyde house

Nast Hyde hertfordshire

Hatfield 1.5 miles St Albans 4 miles Kings Cross/Moorgate 20 minutes Blackfriars 28 minutes A1(M) J3 1 mile M1/M25 7 miles Central London 20 miles (Distances and times approximate)

A historic grade II listed 17th century house in immaculate condition

Reception hall Library Sitting room Dining room Kitchen/Breakfast room Study Utility room 2 cloakrooms Cellar. Master bedroom suite with en suite bathroom and dressing room. 2 further bedroom suites 4th bedroom/dressing room with en suite bathroom Further dressing room. Second floor with 3 bedroom suites Further bedroom Family bathroom Games/playroom Integrated one bedroom staff flat. Outbuildings 2 bedroom cottage Large tithe barn with cinema room Machinery store Further storage Garaging for 3 cars Driver’s/gardener’s kitchen and shower room. Gardens and grounds Mature gardens and grounds with sunken knot garden Walled kitchen garden Lake Wooded walks and paddocks Planning permission for underground indoor swimming pool. +44 (0)20 7629 8171 55 Baker Street In all about 10.42 acres. London W1U 8AN [email protected] For sale freehold. [email protected] [email protected] www.knightfrank.com

Viewing by appointment only. These particulars are intended only as a guide and must not be relied upon as statements of fact. Your attention is drawn to the Important Notice on the last page of the brochure. Hertfordshire Trains - An excellent train service runs from St Albans City Station (around 10 minutes by car) to Kings Cross Great Nast Hyde House is situated in the small hamlet of Nast Hyde, taking only around 18 minutes. From the same station which is well positioned for communications, local amenities and trains can reach Moorgate/Farringdon in around 22 facilities, as well as schools. minutes and Blackfriars/City Thameslink in around 28 There are a number of highly respected schools in the area, minutes. including Edge Grove, Heath Mount and Beechwood Park, as well as Haberdashers’ Aske’s, Aldenham, Queenswood for girls, Haileybury, Motorways - The A1(M) is within 1 mile and provides St Albans School for boys and St Albans High School for girls. fast access to Central London (about 20 miles), the M25, as well as the North.

Airports - Luton Airport is 15 miles away, with Heathrow within 30 miles and Stansted around 40 miles.

Shopping - Comprehensive shopping and leisure facilities can be found in Hatfield and St Albans, which both provide shopping centres, retail parks, sports and leisure facilities.

Sporting - There are a number of golf courses in the area, including Gustard Wood, Harpenden, Brocket Hall, Albrook Park, Hanbury Manor, Moor Park and Batchwood Hall. The beautiful countryside park of Stanborough Park is also nearby and covers an area of 126 acres.

Restaurants - The renowned Auberge du Lac at Brocket Hall is nearby, as well as a Touch of Novellis at Hatching Green.

History The actual date of construction for the present house at Great Nast Hyde House is unknown. However, it is understood that it is likely to have been built in the early 17th century though the earliest record of a house on the site dates back to 1337 when the first recorded resident, Richard atte Roth de Esthide, was probably a tenant of the land on which the house now stands. Before the dissolution of the monasteries, it was understood that the property was controlled by the Abbotts of St Albans and there are tales of underground tunnels leading from Great Nast Hyde House to the Old Palace at Hatfield. Following the dissolution of the monasteries in 1539 the property was then acquired by the Grubbe family, who built the existing house. The house was built around about the same time as the local Hatfield House and it is likely that the craftsmen used to build Hatfield were taken advantage of to assist in the construction of Great Nast Hyde House. Whilst there are stories that the principal staircase at Great Nast Hyde House is the starboard companion way and bridge deck of a Royal Galleon, with the portside forming the staircase at Hatfield House, the more likely story is that both staircases were made by the same craftsman due to the similar detail of the moulded banisters and finials. Another feature, of particular historic note, is the hand painted glass figures, which are shown on the glass panes of the leaded light windows in the library. There is reference to Nast Hyde in Charles Dickens’ novel Oliver Twist, and it is believed that the property was the model for Bleak House. Records show that the house was occupied between 1920-1940 by Major Burton, whose daughter Christabel married Peter von Bielenberg, who was the Nazi dissident, associated with the Stauffenberg bomb plot against Hitler in 1944. Following this she was interrogated by the Gestapo, and later revealed that she survived the ordeal by dreaming of the gardens at Nast Hyde: “…indefinable horrors seemed too close to be dealt with. Think of something else. Come now, it is easy, the garden at Nast Hyde and the path through the orchard… it is spring and the orchard is carpeted with daffodils, let’s watch them nod and bend in the wind…” (The Past is Myself, 1988). During the Second World War the house was used as a military hospital and after the war it was acquired by the de Havillands, aircraft manufacturers, which after the war became part of British Aerospace. The house was used as a corporate guest house for long term visitors and was also used to entertain visiting heads of state, as well as foreign ministers. In 2001 the house was repurchased by a descendant of the de Havilland family when it was reinstated as a manor house. Since then there have been 2 owners.

Great Nast Hyde House Great Nast Hyde House is an exceptional example of a Grade II listed The main reception rooms to the house are of good proportions from the kitchen to the outside terrace, as well as a further door house, being of architectural and historical importance. Constructed and are well lit with natural light. The house is entered through which goes into a rear lobby where there is a utility room. in the typical H-plan style of the Jacobean period, the house is built the stone porch into the large welcoming reception hall with its There is also a cellar which is accessed from the outside and houses of mellow red brick under a clay tile roof and has undergone a recent impressive open fireplace. Doors lead through to the staircase hall, the boilers, which have all recently been renewed. extensive program of renovation by the current owners. The house with original oak panelling. The library is accessed from both the On the first floor there is a magnificent master bedroom suite with is presented to an exceptional standard and has been beautifully reception hall and staircase hall with its wonderful hand built oak dressing room and en suite bathroom. A second bedroom has finished. It works extremely well for family living and entertaining, bookcases, new panelling and hand painted characters from the been converted to a dressing room with its own en suite bathroom whilst retaining many original character features. novels of Charles Dickens on the leaded light windows. Doors from and there are 2 further bedrooms both having en suites, one with the reception hall lead through to the rear hallway, where there is Architectural features include stone mullioned and transomed a bathroom and one with a shower room. There is also a further another entrance from the other principal elevation of the building. windows, a two storey porch and lantern turret, which originally bedroom used as a clothes/shoe store. had been used to guide travellers across the nearby Colney Heath. Further reception rooms include the drawing room and dining On the second floor there are 3 further bedrooms with en suite Also of particular note are the Jacobean chimneys which retain their room, with their ornate fireplaces and on the ceiling of the dining bathrooms, a large games/playroom, family bathroom and further classical appearance. room there is great detail in the cornice work, with gold leaf detail bedroom. There is also a self-contained staff/guest apartment with throughout. Inside the house character features include the magnificent oak bedroom, shower room and kitchen/living room. staircase, ornate cornicing and strap work to the ceilings, as well The kitchen/breakfast room is well laid out and comprises a Clive as carved fireplaces. Modern features include under floor heating Christian kitchen with gas AGA and fitted Aquavision TV over. There under all stone floors and a SONOS audio system throughout the are fully fitted wall and floor kitchen units with granite worktops and house. an adjoining breakfast room, as well as sitting area. A door leads

Main House

Reception room/General living area/Circulation area Work room, i.e. Kitchen/Workshop/Utility Bedroom/Dressing room Bathroom Vestibule Stair Hall Outside space Up Vaults/Storage Up

Reception Hall 6.06 x 5.58 Kitchen 19'11" x 18'4" Dining Room Library 6.52 x 5.61 Drawing Room 7.00 x 5.51 7.11 x 5.75 21'5" x 18'5" Office 23'0" x 18'1" 23'4" x 18'10" Breakfast Room S 4.94 x 3.92 15'11" x 12'10" E 9.54 x 5.66 31'3" x 18'7" In E

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LobbyN Dn SittingN Area Boot Utility W Room 3.04 x 2.96 Room 10'0" x 9'9"

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Ground Floor Cellar S

N S 6.09 x 5.64 N 20'0" x 18'6"

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Approximate Gross Internal Floor Area: Up House - 947.4 sq m (10,198 sq ft - including Cellar) For identification only, not to scale Main House

Bedroom 6.15 x 3.52 20'2" x 11'7" Bedroom Dn 5.20 x 4.09 17'1" x 13'5"

Living Room Games Room 7.40 x 4.19 Kitchen 6.65 x 5.81 21'10" x 19'1" 24'3" x 13'9" Bedroom Bedroom 6.18 x 5.11 6.22 x 5.58 20'3" x 16'9" 20'5" x 18'4" Bedroom 3.71 x 2.71 12'2" x 8'11"

Second Floor Dn Shoe Wardrobe Up Dn

Up Dressing Room

Dressing Room Bedroom/ 4.68 x 3.27 Master Bedroom Bedroom Dressing Room 15'4" x 10'9" 5.73 x 5.55 5.94 x 4.05 5.44 x 5.44 18'10" x 18'2" Bedroom 17'10" x 17'0" 4.30 x 4.03 19'6" x 13'3" 14'1" x 13'3"

First Floor Gardens and grounds The gardens surrounding the house are immaculately presented and beautifully landscaped. The main drive leads up to the side of the house passing through wooded areas and the lake. To the south of the house is a walled garden with lawned areas, surrounded by box hedging with a central water feature, and paving up to the front door. This is separated by a yew hedge from an informal family area, which is accessed from the kitchen. To the north of the house the drive leads up past the house and wraps around the outbuildings leading to the second drive. The lawns to the north of the house border a path which leads to an ornate pergola and on to a sunken knot garden, with clipped dwarf box hedging and conifers, surrounded by lavender beds. The lake has a small jetty and a footbridge over to an island. There is also a wooded walk with glimpses through to the lake. There are a number of mature trees throughout the gardens, including oak, ash, lime, cedar, birch, cherry and an Indian Beam tree, as well as Dawn Redwood. An open sided garden pavilion provides ideal space for outdoor entertaining. There is also a partly walled former kitchen garden which opens out to the paddock land beyond. Planning permission exists for a subterranean swimming pool within this formal walled garden.

The Cottage Garage Cottage 4.70 x 2.87 Up 15'5" x 9'5" Dn

Bedroom Dn 5.60 x 3.23 18'4" x 10'7" Bedroom Attic 3.57 x 3.39 Storage 11'9" x 11'1" (max height 1.7m)

First Floor Garage 9.93 x 6.24 32'7" x 20'6" Attic Storage Kitchen/ (max height Sitting Room Breakfast Room Bedroom 1.7m) 5.33 x 5.12 5.50 x 3.17 5.49 x 3.27 17'6" x 16'10" 18'0" x 10'5" 18'0" x 10'9"

Up Tithe Barn

Ground Floor First Floor Ground Floor In

Barn 15.43 x 7.61 50'7" x 25'0" Outbuildings Cinema 9.36 x 4.49 Open Store There is a large secure garage building for 3 cars, along with a 30'8" x 14'9" 5.03 x 4.50 16'6" x 14'9" staff kitchen with steps up to attic storage which could be used for Office/ staff accommodation, subject to obtaining the necessary planning Workshop consent. The large tithe barn is principally used for the storage of garden machinery; however, part of the barn has been converted into a state of the art cinema room. There is also further storage within this range of buildings. Reception room/General living area/Circulation area Approximate Gross Internal Floor Area: Cottage - 114.0 sq m (1,227 sq ft) The Cottage Work room, i.e. Kitchen/Workshop/Utility The cottage at Great Nast Hyde House is also Grade II listed and was Garage - 88.4 sq m (952 sq ft) constructed, in the 17th century, of timber frame and is now part tile Bedroom/Dressing room Cinema - 42.0 sq m (452 sq ft) hung under a clay tile roof. Bathroom Barn - 117.4 sq m (1,264 sq ft) The accommodation has been recently renovated and comprises a (not including reduced height area, below 1.5m - sitting room, kitchen/breakfast room, bedroom with en suite shower Outside space denoted with dashed line) room on the ground floor and 2 further bedrooms, along with a bathroom on the first floor. The cottage has a small private garden Vaults/Storage Total - 361.80 sq m (3,895 sq ft) to the rear overlooking the grounds of the main house. For identification only, not to scale

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E E S

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past thelake andbears right towards thehouse. at thefork, bear left. on theleft hand side. Proceed down themain drive and, mile theentrance to Great Nast Hyde House will befound University ontheright hand side. Afterapproximately 1 Proceed alongthis road passing theentrance to the on theA1507. you may look at alist of members’ names. number OC305934. Ourregistered office is 55 Baker Street, London, W1U8AN,where Knight F rank LLPis alimited liability partnership registered inEngland with registered fied with theappropriate Local Education Authority. catchment area should not berelied uponas astatement of fact andshould be veri- Grammar School catchment areas: Any reference to apropertybeinginspecific Particulars dated: May 2014. Photographs dated: F 4. V these matters have beenproperly dealt with andthat all information is correct. has beenobtained. Abuyer orlessee must findout by inspection orinother ways that does not mean that any necessary planning, building regulations orotherconsent 3. R approximate only. peared at thetimethey were taken. Areas, measurements anddistances given are 2. Photos etc: the partof theagents,seller(s) orlessor(s). property, andaccordingly any information given is entirely without responsibility on or its value. Knight Frank LLPhas noauthority to make any representations about the writing (“information”) as beingfactually accurate about theproperty, its condition not rely onstatements by Knight Frank LLPintheparticulars orby word of mouthorin 1. Particulars: These particulars are not anofferor contract, norofpart one. You should important notice LLP, Viewing is strictly by appointment only via Knight Frank Viewing Welywn &Hatfield District Council. Tel: 01707 357000. Hertfordshire County Council. L they are specifically referred to ornot. easements, wayleaves andotherrights of way whether benefits of any rights of way, either public orprivate, all The propertyis offered for sale subject to and with the Easements, wayleavesofrights and way separate negotiation. specifically excluded but may be made available by curtains, light fittings andgarden ornaments, are included inthesale. All others, such as fitted carpets, Only those mentionedinthese sales particulars are Fixtures and fittings irrigation system. provides water to thelake which is used for thegarden electricity, gas anddrainage. Aseparate bore hole The house andcottage are connected to mains water, Services at thenext roundabout turn left signposted for From J3of theA1(M)take thesecond exit onto Comet Way Directions (AL109RB) ocal authority egulations etc: Any reference to alterations to, oruse of, any partof theproperty AT: Strutt &Parker and The V AT position relating to thepropertymay change without notice. The photographs show only certain partsof thepropertyas they ap- The principal drive will thentake you Statons. T el: 01992 555555. ebruary 2014. St A lbans M40 M4 A413 A41 M25 M25 M25 Hempstead Hemel HEATHROW AIRPORT Watford M4 A40 M1 St Albans Wembley A414 M1 A406 A1 A205 A1(M) A41 Hyde House Great Nast A414 M25 A406 LONDON Enfield A10 A2 A10 A406 A12 M25 Note: Foridentificationpurposesonly.NottoScale A414 A406 Harlow M11 A12 M11