A magnificent Grade II Listed house with splendid original features and a storied history

Sitting room | Drawing room | Dining room | Snug/study | Kitchen | Cloakroom | Principal bedroom with en suite bathroom | 4 Further bedrooms | Family bathroom | Further study | Cellar | Pool house | Summer house | Walled Garden | Cottage with sitting room, dining room, kitchen, 2 bedrooms and bathroom

Launay House and Pound Cottage is a delightful Grade II Listed property, arranged as two dwellings and set in the heart of the desirable village of Redbourn, close to the beautiful Common and within the village conservation area. The house was formerly a farmhouse, and Pound Cottage was converted from a barn. The timber framed farmhouse is thought to date from the 17th century, built on the site of a medieval chapel, part of Redbourn Priory, and its history is featured at Redbourn Village Museum. Both the house and the cottage have been meticulously restored, retaining many original features including beams, original brick and oak floors, sash windows and shutters, fireplaces, and panelling.

Conservation repairs have included specialist repointing in lime mortar, relaying the roof with reclaimed clay peg tiles, renewing lead roofs, and conservation to the windows and shutters. Launay House features a welcoming reception hall leading into a light filled, comfortable sitting room with painted panelling and a grand inglenook fireplace. The elegant dual aspect drawing room has an original oak flooring, attractive brick fireplace, period panelling, a gas Jotul stove, and a large sash window with recessed shutters. There is also a cosy snug/study with painted cupboards, fireplace and delightful views of the garden from the bay window. The dining room has beamed walls, an original brick floor and an old bread oven and leads though to the kitchen.

The kitchen has an impressive, vaulted ceiling and is fitted with handmade cabinets and larder cupboards, with granite worktops and a butler’s sink. There are four well-presented first-floor double bedrooms, all with period features and builtin cupboards. The principal bedroom has original oak floorboards, a large Georgian sash window overlooking the garden, and an en suite bathroom. The first floor also includes a large family bathroom. The second floor has an additional double bedroom and an adjoining study, which is ideal for peaceful, private home working.

Pound Cottage is a two-bedroom property adjoining Launay House, offering completely self-contained, separate accommodation. The cottage was built as a four-cart barn in 1785, with the building date carved into the property’s exposed timber beams.

The cottage features a comfortable sitting room with a bay window, a formal dining room and a well-equipped kitchen with modern fitted units, a stainless-steel range cooker and space for all the necessary appliances. On the first floor, Pound Cottage has two well-presented double bedrooms, a study area and bathroom. Outside it has its own walled garden with patio, shed and parking for 2 cars.

Outside

Launay House has a splendid walled garden, ideal for family games, with well-maintained lawns, box hedging and established borders. Mature trees throughout the garden include Scots pine, weeping variegated holly, beech, quince, medlar, lime and a large mulberry tree providing good coverage and privacy. There is an outdoor swimming pool, heated by air source heat pump, with an oak framed pool house/ games room and its own sun terrace with palm trees and bamboo. The grounds also include a double-glazed summer house/workshop and a timber playhouse. The large cellar provides useful additional storage space.

There is access for vehicles and plenty of parking on both sides of the property. A driveway off Fish Street Farm leads to a five-bar wooden gate providing access to the front of Launay House with parking for multiple vehicles. There is a gravel driveway from Fish Street giving rear access to Launay House, and to the parking for Pound Cottage.

Situation

M1 (Jct 9) 2.6 miles, Harpenden town centre 3.1 miles, Harpenden mainline station 3.3 miles (19 minutes to London St Pancras), St. Albans 4.0 miles, Welwyn Garden City 9.5 miles

Directions

From junction 9 of the M1, take Dunstable Road/A5183 towards St. Albans and Redbourn. After 1.8 miles, continue straight ahead at the roundabout to remain on the A5183 and at the next roundabout, take the third exit onto the High Street. Take the 1st turning on the left into a private road “Fish Street Farm”, and then take the right fork up to a 5-bar gate and the private parking for Launay House.

Satnav AL3 7NS

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