Detached house for sale in Hangmans Lane, Welwyn, Hertfordshire AL6

Winding through a forest track just outside Welwyn, this unexpected 1960s four-bedroom house creeps into view through the dappled light of the trees. Expansive panes of glazing on the first floor and a front balcony announce the inverted configuration of this cleverly conceived design that utilises all the virtues of its woodland plot. Bright living spaces, their volume enhanced by pitched roofs and clerestory windows, stretch across the first floor. The garden wraps entirely around the house with a grand circular trellis suspended from the house, covered in vines at its centre. Welwyn is a five-minute drive, and the nearby station runs services into London in half an hour.

The Tour

The house is approached along Hangmans Lane, a secluded road weaving through the edges of Mardley Woods. This wonderfully secluded location hides the house until the final approach, when its sweeping panes of glazing stretching the width of the oversailing first floor come into view. A mono-pitched roof slopes from the centre of the house towards the front elevation, hinting at the volumes inside. An overhang is created to shade the balcony to the front. Designed in 1964 for the architect's own use, this sleek, unadorned façade is reminiscent of the clean lines and curtain glazing that characterise California’s Case Study Houses.

The wide entrance on the ground floor opens to a generous lobby with plenty of storage. Herringbone parquet stretches from here to the top floor, where the main living spaces are perched amongst the treetops. These three distinct rooms are illuminated by full-width glazing at the front and clerestory windows at the rear; the light amplifies the sense of volume established by the sweeping pitch of the roof.

The dining room sits at the centre of the plan, connecting the kitchen on the left and the living room on the right, establishing a wonderful sense of flow. The oak windows and doorframes contrast warmly against the evergreen leaves in view. On one side, a door opens from the dining room to the balcony, a peaceful spot overlooking the woodland, perfect for bird watchers. An archetypal mid-century hatch leads to the kitchen.

In the kitchen, blue cabinetry is topped with quartz, which wraps around the room, culminating in a peninsula. This is a spacious room with plenty of storage and workspace. The sink overlooks the balcony and the forest. At the side, the back door opens to a small flight of steps which run down to the garden terrace.

In the large living room, an original mid-century stone hearth sits in the fireplace at the centre. The space shares the same beautiful quality of light and volume which define the top floor of the house.

Three of the four bedrooms share one-half level, accessed by the pine staircase. Connected by a long hallway bordered by linen cupboards and storage, the two largest rooms sit at opposite ends of the house. Both rooms have plentiful built-in storage and overlook the luscious garden with its tendrils of climbing ivy and specimen acers. The smallest of the four bedrooms sits in between, currently used as a study with beautifully preserved pine ceilings stretching overhead. The main bathroom sits next door. It has a deep bathtub and is finished in rich blue tiles.

Overlooking the tree-bordered driveway is the generous fourth bedroom on the ground floor. Built-in storage is set around a brick hearth with a working, but currently unused, fireplace. The adjacent shower room is finished in bright blue mosaic tiles.

Access to the garage is across the hallway. The house has just been fitted with a new boiler for gas-fired warm air heating which is A rated for environment performance. The windows are triple-glazed to the front and double-glazed to the rear, making it highly efficient to run.

Outdoor Space

The house is positioned in the centre of its plot, with the garden wrapping around all sides. Set in the woodlands, the garden feels private and quiet, interrupted only by birdsong.

The generous front driveway, bordered by mature trees and shrubs, has space for several cars. On the right of the entrance, stone steps lead up to an impressive terrace shaded by a bespoke trellis, which curves out from the house, rounding its corner in a 270-degree sweep. Beautiful established vines tumble over this unusual frame, heavy with fruit in the late summer. A decked area stretches out beneath. Connected to the kitchen by a flight of stairs, it is perfect for barbecues and outdoor dining.

From here, the lawn is bordered by angled brick beds, home to a series of mature plants, including an acer, euonymus, and cherry laurel. There is a shed in one corner of the garden. The shaded side return back of the front driveway has a woodland feel with abundant bulbs and hellebores.

The Area

Set within the rambling woodlands of Mardley Heath, Hangmans Lane is wonderfully poised between the local pubs, schools and cafes of Woolmer Green and Welwyn. A short walk from the house is the Mardley Hill Deli, perfect for a morning coffee and pastry. In the other direction lies The North Star pub, one of a collection of local favourites, which include The Chequers and The Red Lion.

The Tilbuy at Datchworth is a beautiful eitheenth-century gastro-pub is easy walking distance, or five minutes by car.

Welwyn, sometimes called Old Welwyn, is a five-minute drive away. In the centre can be found a good selection of shops, pubs and places to eat out as well as doctors, dentists and other amenities. For special occasions Auberge du Lac in Brocket Hall offers a beautiful menu inspired sustainably sourced local produce.

There are three notable schools in the village all of which are Ofsted rated "Good" or "Outstanding". Local secondary schools are equally well rated and in easy reach in Welwyn Garden City, Hertford, Hatfield and St Albans.

Welwyn Garden City is approximately five miles south and has a broader range of facilities, including a shopping centre with a John Lewis department store and Waitrose supermarket.

The surrounding countryside is peppered with beautiful walks and historic houses, including Knebworth, Hatfield House and Shaw’s Corner.

Welwyn North train station is approximately three miles away and runs services to London King’s Cross in 30 minutes in one direction and Cambridge in 55 minutes in the other. Stevenage is a 15-minute drive and runs Thameslink services to Farringdon and London Bridge in 30 minutes.

Council Tax Band: G