Kiln House

History and Specification

The original Kiln House cottage was demolished and rebuilt to provide modern foundations when the property was extended.The current owners have extended further, adding two additional bedrooms with en suites above the garage. They have completed a comprehensive refurbishment and remodelling of the entire house to create a contemporary open plan layout on the ground floor with bi-fold doors from the dining room and sitting room to the garden. The vendors also replaced the roof, re plumbed, and re wired including hardwired internet connections with superfast fibre broadband throughout the property.

Ground Floor

The front door opens into a hall which has built-in cupboards spanning one wall, an oak and glass staircase to the first floor, and a porcelain tiled floor with water underfloor heating which continues into the adjoining kitchen/breakfast and dining rooms. The rear hall has a door to the garden, a door to the integral double garage, and a spiral staircase to the first floor. Both hallways have a cloakroom, the one off the main hall has a Roca WC, and a range of vanity storage cupboards and shelves with a wash basin and an LED mirror.

Reception Rooms

The triple aspect sitting room has engineered oak flooring and an impressive inglenook fireplace housing a log burning stove. Two sets of bi-fold doors give direct access to the paved terrace in the garden. The dining room also has two sets of bi-fold doors to the terrace giving an excellent flow through the internal and external space for modern family life and entertaining. The dining room has a high vaulted ceiling with double Velux windows, and is open plan to the kitchen/breakfast room.The snug, located in the original cottage, has engineered oak flooring, and an Inglenook fireplace and provides a cosy refuge. There is also a study for working from home.

Kitchen/Breakfast Area

The dual aspect kitchen/breakfast room is a particular feature of the property and has dual aspct windows, and a feature slip brick wall. It is fitted in a comprehensive range of two tone full height, wall and base units, including glazed display cabinets with lights, display shelves, larder cupboards, and pan drawers. The granite work surfaces incorporate a double sink with a Franke boiling water tap, and an induction hob set under a decorative mantel. The central island has a breakfast bar and there is also space for a breakfast table and chairs. Appliances by Neff include two ovens with “slide and hide” doors, a microwave, a warming drawer, and a dishwasher and there is space for an American style fridge/freezer.

Utility Room and Dog/Boot Room

The utility room and dog/boot room are both accessed via the rear hall. The utility room has a window to the rear and an extensive range of wooden full height, wall and base storage units with wood block work surfaces incorporating a sink and drainer with metro tiled splashbacks. There is a water softener, space and plumbing for a washing machine and tumble dryer and space for an additional fridge/freezer. It also has a second integrated dishwasher, giving extra capacity when entertaining. The airing cupboard is shelved for easy drying of clothes. The dog/boot room has a door and window to the rear garden. The vendors use this room for their dogs and it has space for their beds and a shower to wash them.

First Floor

The stairs from the main hall lead up to a galleried landing which overlooks the dining room. The landing has a window to the front and access to three bedrooms including the principal suite.

Principal Bedroom Suite

The principal bedroom has dual aspect windows to the sides and glazed bi-fold doors to a decked balcony with space for seating to enjoy the views over the rear garden and woods and countryside beyond. The dressing room has a range of built-in wardrobes and drawers, and access to the fully tiled en suite which has a free standing bath, a Roca WC, twin vanity washbasins, and a walk-in shower with a rainwater and standard shower heads. There is a window to the side and a towel radiator.

Other Bedrooms and Bathrooms

The other bedrooms off the main landing both have windows to the front with views over the village green. Both also have built-in wardrobes. One of the bedrooms has an en suite bathroom with a shower over the bath, and the other has a three piece en suite shower room. There are two further bedrooms which were added by the vendors over the garage and which are accessed via the spiral staircase in the rear hall. One bedroom has Velux windows, a feature round window to the front, and an en suite wet room. The other bedroom has dual aspect windows to the front and rear, a range of built-in wardrobes, and an en suite shower room.

Garage and Outbuildings

The integral garage has two up and over doors, and power and light connected. In the rear garden there is a shed and a timber summerhouse which is currently used to house a lawn tractor.

Garden and Grounds

A winding gravel drive leads to electric gates with an intercom which open into an extensive gravel parking area leading to the house and garage. The front garden has been professionally landscaped and is enclosed by clipped hedges and close boarded fencing. It is mainly lawned with established shrubs and trees interspersed.

Garden cont'd

Gated access leads to the rear garden which faces due south and has also been professionally landscaped for minimal maintenance. It has established flower and shrub beds and borders, an ornamental carp pond and bridge, and lawns with mature trees. An extensive split level paved and decked terrace, extends from the side and continues across the rear of the house. It is accessed via doors from the sitting and dining rooms, provides ample space for outside seating and al fresco dining, and is part sheltered by a gazebo. The garden backs onto a bluebell wood at the rear and adjoins open fields at the sides and is a haven for wildlife including deer in the wood and numerous birds. The garden has remote controlled water features, and extensive professionally fitted uplighting.

Situation and Schooling

Kiln House overlooks the village green in the tranquil setting of Tea Green in North Hertfordshire. This is a rural area surrounded by rolling countryside between Harpenden, Hitchin and Luton. Although only 3 miles across country fields from Luton Airport, Tea Green is situated at right angles to the runways. As a result, it is not under any flight path, thus minimising aircraft noise.The location is 2.5 miles south of Great Offley and close to the county border with Bedfordshire. On the opposite side of the village green is a wedding venue, The Barn. Local primary schools include Great Offley Primary (2.5 miles), and Cockernhoe CofE Primary. Kiln House is in the catchment for secondary schools in Hitchin including the Girls’ and Boys’ Schools, Priory School and Kingshott. It is also easily accessible to fee paying Beechwood Park (Markyate) and other fee paying schools in Harpenden (Aldwickbury and St. Hilda’s – 8 miles).