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A fantastic opportunity to acquire this detached home situated within a secluded plot of approximately half and acre and within walking distance of central Berkhamsted. The property requires modernisation throughout but offers excellent potential to extend and improve subject to planning permissio

4 Castle Hill, Berkhamsted

Situated on a corner plot with about half an acre of garden, it was the position of 4 Castle Hill in Berkhamsted on a tree lined road, which really attracted writers Irene and Derek Harris to this house 30 years ago. "At that point they were looking for an excellent family home close to the station and the town centre," says their son Matthew. "This certainly fulfilled all of those criteria. The house has plenty of space with three reception rooms, five bedrooms and two bathrooms; the station is a few minutes' walk and Berkhamsted centre a little further.

"This must be one of the few properties with such a large garden, that you can reach from the town centre on foot without going uphill," he continues. "Berkhamsted has a lot to offer with a vibrant cafe culture and some excellent restaurants. The Rex Cinema, with its refurbished Art Deco architecture is fabulous and there are plenty of interesting shops. There is a good range of schools, both state and independent, including Berkhamsted Collegiate School, which are all within walking distance. There are numerous sporting facilities in the area, including two highly rated golf courses a short drive away."

Berkhamsted is served by good road links to the A41 and from there the M25 and M1. Hemel Hempstead can be reached in about ten minutes by car, and Watford is about 20 minutes drive. London Colney, with its out of town shopping centre, is easily accessible and has a Marks and Spencer, Boots and Next among other high street names. "One of the reasons my parents found the location of this house so special was its marvellous access to the town and station on one hand, and a five minute walk in the other and you're past the cricket field, onto Berkhamsted Common and into open countryside. There are a lot of green spaces around the town and being so close to the centre it's rare to find a home with this size of garden.

"The house as well as its location served us well but it now needs to be modernised," admits Matthew. "There is so much potential here to create a fabulous family home. Any changes wouldn't be too hard to envisage. Lifestyles have changed a lot in the last 30 years and this house needs to move on with the times. It's the position of this property though which is quite unbeatable. The grounds are wonderfully secluded and its sweeping half moon driveway can hold over four cars comfortably. There are views of the Common from the upstairs windows of the house and downstairs the rooms look out onto the secluded garden.

"This house was built in the early 1930's and was extended at a later date with the help of my grandfather who was a master builder. My parents included some unique touches in the work they did at 4 Castle Hill, such as the installation of a hand built Derbyshire slate fireplace in the lounge. It was put in by my grandfather and is still a delight to look at.

"This property has only been lived in by two families since it was built; by the original owners who constructed it for themselves and later by my family. I think it only goes to show what a magnificent place it is and that once here, you have little inclination to move on. But the time has come now for another family to enjoy it as much as we have. It's a fantastic unique location, which you don't come across in this area very often. It's a great opportunity for a family with vision to make all their own."