"A bright early 20th-century apartment a short walk from Hampstead Heath"
"A bright early 20th-century apartment a short walk from Hampstead Heath"
This spacious three-bedroom apartment occupies the first floor of a detached Arts and Crafts-style house in Golders Green, north-west London. An abundance of period features have been carefully preserved, including characterful fireplaces, fine parquet flooring and expansive bow windows that draw in natural light. Golders Hill Park, part of the Hampstead Heath Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation, is a short walk away, along with Golders Green station, which runs Northern line services across the city and West End.
Setting the Scene
The name Golders Green is thought to be a combination of the medieval Godyere family and a former village green. Until the 19th century, the area was largely rural farmland and brookfields. It was the arrival of Golders Green Underground station in 1907 that transformed it into a well-connected north London suburb. This was also the impetus for the creation of Hampstead Garden Suburb, Henrietta Barnett’s masterplan to transform Golders Green with community-minded, beautiful homes.
Like Hampstead Garden Suburb, this home demonstrates many of the Arts and Crafts Movement’s architectural ideals. Externally, this includes staggered projections and a tiled roof, while internally, light pours in through wide bow windows.
The Grand Tour
A communal stairwell with beautiful stained-glass windows ascends to this home’s first-floor entrance. Inside, a central hallway connects to each room, creating a sense of connectivity while ensuring privacy and delineation.
The primary reception room is a marvellous airy space with an expansive bow window. Sisal carpet grounds underfoot, and a sculptural white-painted surround sits on one side, framing an original cast-iron fireplace. Tall ceilings create a calm and expansive space. The room looks out onto a peaceful ground-floor garden and a deep grove of ash trees beyond.
Grounded with rich parquet, the kitchen is similarly beautiful and bright. Shaker-style cream cabinets and a matching island are topped with thick oak counters. Appliances here include a range-style cooker and a dishwasher. The remainder of this capacious room is used as a dining area, with plenty of room for a table and chairs in the curve of a second bow window.
The apartment has three generous bedrooms, one of which is currently used as a study. The principal bedroom is an especially beautiful room with a striking blue-tiled fireplace surround on one side. Thanks to the home’s elevated position, the view through a window is out to tree canopies.
Traditionally styled, the bathroom is a delightful room with a freestanding bathtub. Tongue-and-groove panelling wraps around the walls, and chequerboard lino floors in a variety of blue shades ground underfoot.
Out and About
Golders Green has plenty of excellent amenities, including a Waitrose and a Gail’s, as well as a thriving independent scene. Its proximity to the Hampstead Heath Extension, Golders Hill Park and Hampstead Heath enhances its leafy feel, despite its excellent transport connections.
Hampstead's Hill Garden and Pergola is a 20-minute walk from the house: a Georgian arbour and terrace with expansive views over Golders Hill woods. In addition to elevated views of the city from Parliament Hill, there are tennis courts, cafés, and Kenwood House, a wonderful 17th-century country house and gallery. The Heath also has several swimming ponds, open throughout the year, as well as play areas and a café.
Beyond the Heath is Hampstead village, home to popular haunts like Oddono’s Gelateria, Ginger & White, Gail’s, and the famous Hampstead Crêperie, as well as an Everyman cinema. There are several charming pubs, including The Horseshoe, The Flask, The Old White Bear, and The Hollybush.
There are some excellent schools nearby, including Henrietta Barnett School, Garden Suburb Junior School and Brookland Junior School.
Less than four minutes away, Golders Green station provides Northern line access across the city, with services to King’s Cross in as little as 14 minutes. There are also plenty of bus routes nearby.
Tenure: Leasehold / Lease Length: Approx. 993 years remaining / Service Charge: Approx. £640 per annum / Ground Rent: Approx. £250 per annum / Council Tax Band: D
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