Great Amwell

VENDOR INSIGHT Perfectly positioned on the edge of the delightful village of Great Amwell is Amwellbury, an elegant country house that is enveloped by around twelve acres of truly breathtaking grounds. "My wife and I purchased Amwellbury twenty-one years ago, and first and foremost it was the setting that we were drawn to; it's just the most beautiful place," says David. "The house sits on the edge of the village and is nestled within these extensive grounds that consist of formal gardens, paddocks and ancient woodland. It's all terribly pretty. I remember the very first time we came to look at the place and it was a cold and rather miserable September day, but as we drove up the very long driveway I was totally captivated by the sheer beauty of these magnificent surroundings, which even to this day still take my breath away."

"The house itself is absolutely steeped in history, and I've actually spent quite some time researching it in great detail. We know that it was the site of a Roman settlement because we've discovered a number of artefacts in the garden, and we also know that pre-1066 the land at Great Amwell was owned by Earl Harold, who was later crowned king. The property has links not only to the crown but also to the church and members of the nobility, but for us it's quite simply been a wonderful family home."

"We consider ourselves custodians of this exceptional home and so during our time here we've done our best to look after both the house and grounds," continues David. "In terms of the house itself we decided to restore it to its Georgian proportions by adding a very sympathetic extension, and at the same time we also tried to make it more conducive to modern living by adding elements such as a beautiful Mark Wilkinson kitchen and updating the bathrooms. Outside we've tried to realise the vision of the previous owner, Lady Hanbury, who was a keen gardener and who was responsible for the landscaping of the grounds, so we've planted more rhododendrons, created a beautiful knot garden and continued to enhance what was here already. It's the most wonderful environment to live in and for me it's been an absolute haven of peace and tranquillity."

Favourite Room?: "It's so difficult to choose but one of the rooms that I fell in love with the very first time we came to look at the house was the dining room," says David. "It's a very elegant room with a huge fireplace and a gorgeous bay window that overlooks the garden. We use it on a daily basis, but it's also gorgeous room to entertain in."

Favourite aspect of the grounds or surrounding area?: "This is a fabulous house, the grounds are exceptional and the location would be hard to better," says David. "Our surroundings are peaceful and wonderfully secluded, and yet we have the lovely little town of Ware just down the road, there are a number of good schools in the local area so it's the perfect place to bring up a family and the commute into central London only takes around forty five minutes by train. In my mind it's ideal."

Memorable event? : "The house really lends itself to entertaining," says David. "We have four reception rooms with interlocking doors, so when they are opened up we have a stonking great big space for a party."

What they'll miss most / why they are leaving?: "This has been a lovely place to be and I know it's going to be terribly hard to leave, but my wife and I have decided that we really need to downsize," says David. "We feel that the time is right to hand it on to someone else and we've no doubt that whoever that may be will be extremely happy here."
 

STEP INSIDE As one turns off Walnut Tree Walk into the long gravel driveway that passes through light woodland and the gardens up to the house, immediately one feels a sense of calmness.

The house has sat comfortably in its setting for centuries and whilst it has evolved over the years it has been sympathetically upgraded and improved by the present owners and now provides generous and well proportioned rooms that perfectly suit todays families.

The central hallway opens into most of the ground floor rooms with the kitchen being at the front of the house with windows to two aspects and having been beautifully fitted and designed by Mark Wilkinson with a good range of appliances including a range cooker. At the rear of the house is a delightful dual aspect dining room with a large bay window overlooking the garden together with an impressive James Wyatt fireplace with marble surround. Also at the rear of the house overlooking the gardens is the lovely sitting room and adjoining music room/library which also connects to the drawing room at the front of the house.
Upstairs the master bedroom enjoys a fine outlook over the grounds and has a dressing area and en suite bathroom. There are five further bedrooms, one en suite, and a family bathroom. 

STEP OUTSIDE The gardens and grounds provide a tranquil setting for the house, laid mostly to lawn and studded with a broad selection of specimen trees. There are over 100 different species of Rhododendron and Azalea in the garden, which unusually for the area has an acid soil. During their flowering period the garden has been opened under the National Gardens Scheme. There is a 400 year old Yew hedge leading to an orchard with a selection of trees including, Damson, Mulberry, Walnut and Apple trees. There is also a kitchen garden with fruit cage. In the spring, there is a carpet of colour with snowdrops, daffodils and bluebells in the woods. The estate attracts a wide variety of wildlife. There is also a summer house with seating area which is ideal for entertaining. 

THE AREA Amwellbury House is situated within the popular village of Great Amwell which provides excellent road access to the market towns of Hertford (2.5 miles) and Ware (1.5 miles), both offering extensive shopping and leisure facilities. Railway stations are available at the nearby village of St Margarets and Ware with regular commuter services to London's Liverpool Street. The A10 provides access to London and the M25 to the South. There is a broad selection of schools in the district, including Haileybury College, St Edmunds College and Presdales School.

Throughout the area there are excellent recreational amenities including many fine golf courses, sports centres, horse riding and beautiful country walks.   Read less