A historic Hertford home with explosive past
What: North Road House was built in 1827 and is Grade II* listed. Designed by the local architect Thomas Smith, for his own occupation - the house has high ceilings, elegant original character features throughout, and mature landscaped grounds with river frontage and private "island".
Thomas Smith (1799-1875) practised in Hertford from the 1820s, and was also County Surveyor for Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. Among his Hertford buildings is the County Hospital, North Road
In the early 20th century, North Road House (formerly Paynters) was the home of Annie Swan (1908-1935). A social activist, she moved from Hampstead to Hertford with her husband, a doctor. During the first quarter of the century she was a prolific and popular author. In her autobiography (My Life, London, 1924, Ivor Nicholson) she left a vivid account of the bomb damage to the house in a Zeppelin raid on 13 October 1915, in which the east wing was demolished, the front door was blown out, and the dining room was stripped to lath and plaster
Inside: This property has more than 5000 sq ft of space, arranged over three levels. On the ground floor, the reception hallway runs through the length of the house with a classic offset staircase. It has five bedrooms, two bathrooms and four reception rooms. The basement level offers another entire floor of living space though has not been converted. There is some updating and modernisation required.
Outside: North Road House sits back from the road behind a walled frontage opening onto the driveway which sweeps across the front of the house, giving access to the garage and parking.
The plot extends to just over 1.3 acres and includes a terrace stepping down onto formal lawns with matures shrubs and topiary. The lower part of the gardens cross over a tributary of the River Beane via a private cast iron bamboo pattern bridge to a further area of garden, flanked by the river on two sides, where there is a summer house.
Why we love it: Located within the heart of Hertford, full of history and boasting its own private "island"? Could there be a more tranquil oasis on the market?!
