Thatched Fairytale Home

A beautifully finished thatched semi-detached home, whimsically placed in the heart of Kingsbury, NW9. Created by famous local architect Ernest Trobridge, well known for his eccentric and specific building style, this Fairytale cottage has all the features that evoke a sense of serenity, unseen in London today.

Architecture & Interior
Constructed during the interwar period in 1925 when building materials were at a premium and in short supply, Trobridge was ahead of his time.

Entering into a Hansel & Gretel world, this 3-bedroom thatched home is packed full of nostalgic features that arouse your inner child & has a self-contained former recording studio to the lower ground level, currently utilised as a separate one bedroom flat.

Built on a timber frame with an elm cladded facade, the garden path is filled with every type of flower you can imagine. The thatched roof has been made good for 40+ years finished in Norfolk Reed, renowned for its longevity.

The thick set timber door leads through to a quaint hallway with exposed timber beams all the way through the ground floor,
The front reception room, a cute and cosy space overlooks the front garden, with a fireplace and bright leaded windows

To the rear the living room is a fabulous entertaining space replete with a feature fireplace and the best view out over the much-loved rear garden. Every room has its own identity, and the dining room is no exception, nestled down some stairs in a cute little nook.

Adjacent, a humble country kitchen comfortably fits every appliance you need with plenty of storage and has a back door straight into the garden.

The picturesque handcrafted rear garden has been cherished and loved over the years, with raised beds, a mature lawn and a fitting Wendy house tucked away in the far corner. Looking back towards the home it’s hard to think you are in urban London & not in the middle of rolling hills which was all that was around when these homes were constructed.

Travelling up a wooden staircase, three harmonious bedrooms flow off the hallway, enjoying leafy views of the front and rear gardens.
The family bathroom is finished in familiar dark wood tones, and has a rare sunken bathtub, the perfect peaceful place to soak and relax. There is an adjacent separate W/C.

Down a wide side return into the lower ground floor, the annexe which formerly was a recording studio, still has all the retaining features synonymous with a studio.

This is a completely separate flat which could be rented out, used for separate family accommodation or preferably restored back to its former musical heritage (Rumour has it that Mike & The Mechanics wrote & produced ‘In The Living Years’ here, as there was a lineage of recording studios in Buck Lane back in the 80s.) There is potential also to convert the garage to a separate studio or home office, which has separate access from the front of the home.

History
3 Buck Lane was designed and built in 1925 by architect Ernest Trobridge, one of the earlier homes he designed that formed part of the ‘Summit Estate’.

Using his patented ‘Compressed Green Wood Construction’ method which focused on proven ancient construction that was modified to meet modern needs of the time. Typical of his early Arts and Crafts style, 3 Buck Lane plays host to a great number of Trobridge’s creations, including his obsession with natural features and thatched roofs.

The use of green elm wood and local thatch meant the house could be completed in under 8 weeks from felling a tree and weighed around a fifth of a brick-built house. These designs made him famous and enabled Trobridge to progress and spread his designs around Kingsbury and wider Brent.

In The neighbourhood
Less than a 25mins walk is the local high street with everything you need for daily living. The independent streak thrives here with a butcher, bakers, post office and a plethora of smaller supermarkets all selling fresh local produce. The bigger name supermarkets & retail parks are also all within a 10-minute drive south towards Wembley.

Roe Green Park is a great local park only 10 minutes away, and has a refurbished children’s playground, tennis club and plenty of flat grassland. Fryent Country Park is a similar distance and is a great open space, with mini nature reserves and plenty of woodland. Perfect for long morning or evening strolls.

Some of the best primary schools in Brent are within 1/2 radius of the property. The Village School, less than 15 minutes’ walk away, is one such Ofsted rated ‘outstanding’. Kingsbury High School is the closest secondary level institution and maintains a ‘good’ Ofsted rating.

Transport and connections
Kingsbury Underground Station is under 20 minutes’ walk away and connects with the jubilee line straight into Bond Street, Westminster and wider central London.
Driving still remains the most efficient way of getting around.