BRICKWORKS SAYS

If walls could talk, this extraordinary six-bedroom house in Tufnell Park—with its huge, meandering garden—would have quite a tale to tell. Built in 1870, it’s a palimpsest of a place, with Arts and Crafts details resting harmoniously alongside thoughtful modern touches. Virtually nothing has been lost to time over the current owners’ 29-year tenure. Rather, they have ingeniously added to the space, breathing life into every room.

Stained glass windows dapple the walls with colour, a spindle staircase delicately unspools over three floors, bespoke bookshelves set off ornate fireplace surrounds and woodwork worthy of Lloyd Wright or Rennie Mackintosh weaves its way throughout.

The story continues outdoors: the exquisite garden, long established and lovingly maintained, occupies a space even larger than the footprint of the house. As verdant as it is vast, this remarkable plot even conceals a romantic, folly-esque gazebo.

Highwood Road is a friendly, community-minded street that closes for play every month, hosts an annual street party and even has its own WhatsApp group. The outstanding Yerbury School is around the corner, and the City and West End are only 20 minutes away from walkable Northern and Piccadilly Line stations.

THE OWNER SAYS

The Highwood Hotel (as it has been named during our long guardianship) turned 150 years old this year. Friends, extended family and countless party guests have all passed through. Children have slid down the bannisters, teenagers have gotten lost on the top floor—intentionally—and tantrums, crises and catastrophes have all been weathered in this house.

Over the years, every room has seen a makeover, except my study, because I’ve never been willing to get out of it long enough to have it redone. A number of books have been written here. No doubt clouds of words have floated to the ceiling and may need to be scrubbed away.

The garden has swallowed up plants, mad building works and even a pond (a heron ate the goldfish). Outside, you hear no traffic noise, though the occasional howl of joy when Arsenal scores is audible.

This has been the happiest, calmest and most beautiful house I could ever imagine living in, but it is far too big for us now. The house needs children, noise, guests and the general madness of family life. It was made for it.

POINTS TO CONSIDER

The EPC gives a current Energy Efficiency Rating and Environmental Impact Rating: E

In the Borough of Islington, the house falls into Council Tax Band G (£2,579.80).

Over the past 29 years, the current owners have updated the entire house, while preserving many of its original features. There are new, wooden sash, double-glazed windows throughout. The wall separating two original ground-floor reception rooms was removed to create a larger, open space, and a kitchen extension was added. The attic was remodelled to create en-suite quarters. Every bath has been updated. There have been extensive improvements to the plumbing and electrics, and there is a new boiler. The garden is professionally maintained, has an automatic watering system and the substructure of its lower two decks has been replaced.