A characterful north-west London home crowned by a beautiful loft extension
A characterful north-west London home crowned by a beautiful loft extension
This delightful detached Victorian coach house lies on a pretty, quiet street in West Hampstead. Inside, it has been finished with a confident - and at times brilliantly contemporary - hand, with natural materials creatively incorporated between its distinguished period bones. At the front, shuttered doors open to a charming private courtyard garden.
Setting the Scene
This home lies within the West End Green conservation area. Most of the buildings in the area were constructed in the latter part of the 19th century, including this home, which served as a coach house at a time when West Hampstead developed as a well-connected suburban neighbourhood.
A picturesque presence on the street, this house’s smartly monochromatic frontage is a departure from those surrounding it. Inside, a creative renovation has managed to meld old with new, adding playful glazing and reclaimed materials to create a comfortable home.
The Grand Tour
Entry is at ground level into the living space, where natural light enters from both sides of the room. Solid wood flooring runs throughout, and pocket doors allow the living area, stairway and kitchen to be opened into one flowing space or separated into three distinct zones.
The kitchen is next to the living space and has bespoke cabinets and solid oak worktops. Integrated appliances include a fridge-freezer and a washer-dryer.
Stairs ascend to the bright first-floor landing, where there is a bedroom with a large sash window and original floorboards. There is also a spacious, dual-aspect bathroom on this floor with a bath and a shower.
To the rear is a double-height sitting area, the first part of the LudwigWillis Architects-designed principal bedroom. An arched window draws in plenty of light and frames beautiful views. Solid wood stairs ascend to the sleeping space, which has a characterful reclaimed Junkers floor with underfloor heating below. A glazed roof fills the room with light and captures starry sky views on clear nights.
The Great Outdoors
A private courtyard garden sits to the front of the house, enclosed by a brick wall and timber fencing, which provides privacy from the street.
The space combines timber decking with stone paving, creating areas for outdoor dining, seating and planting. Climbing plants, including wisteria and jasmine, soften the walls and bring colour and scent during the warmer months.
Out and About
West End Lane lies a short walk away and forms the neighbourhood’s lively high street, with independent shops, cafés and restaurants alongside everyday conveniences. Local favourites include West End Lane Books and West End Greens, while Waitrose and Marks & Spencer Food are also close by. For cultural pursuits, the Camden Art Centre and the Kiln Theatre are both within easy walking distance.
Green space is also plentiful. Hampstead Heath lies around 20 minutes away on foot and has woodland walks, swimming ponds and far-reaching views across the city. Fortune Green and West Hampstead Recreation Ground are closer still.
West Hampstead station is around five minutes’ walk away and runs Jubilee line and Overground (Mildmay) services, and the Thameslink offers direct routes to St Pancras International for the Eurostar, as well as Luton and Gatwick airports. Local buses also provide easy connections to central London.
Council Tax Band: E
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