An exquisite country house in the heart of Zone 3 that gets away with mixing Jane Austen with a touch of Star Wars
"Ah! There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort. Nobody can be more devoted to home than I am." – From Jane Austin’s Emma.

I think a lot of us would agree with that Jane Austen quote — particularly after the festive period, (Omicron isolated, or not) when sofa and body become so well acquainted that the threat of two entities becoming one suddenly feels like a very real possibility.
It’s fitting then, that this home — currently on the market via Savills at a guide price of £3.95 million — is a cost family home that also has a touch of 18th century grandeur... along with a few more surprising touches.
Effortlessly stylish, spacious and with the ever-elusive outdoor space that London property craves, Lyndale House is a wonderful private home, set back from the road via a Roman 'Doric' archway.
The house manages to capture the essence of a Queen Anne-style home (it was built in the 1730s), being the sort of place which you could easily imagine appearing in an adaptation of a Jane Austen novel. Yet it also reflects the fact that this is a home that has been the recipient of much care and attention — the current owners carried out a thorough 'sympathetic restoration and improvement programme' in recent years.
The Grade II-listed property in London’s Highgate Hill originally dates back to 1630, but most of the property was rebuilt in 1730 and now forms part of a terrace known as The Bank.
It retains many of its early 18th century additions — large window shutters, original fireplaces and ornate ceiling mouldings — all of which create the backdrop of a superbly decorated home.
So far, so traditional... and then you come across the rather ominous, large wall hanging that looks like some sort of shrine to Darth Vader — albeit a Darth Vader who seems to be going to a fancy dress party as Chewbacca.
Sign up for the Country Life Newsletter
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
Swiftly moving on from the Star Wars touches in the sitting room, the five-bed property spans five floors and offers over 3,000 sq ft of stylish yet versatile accommodation.
The lower ground floor is where you'll find the charming, country-style kitchen, dining room and wine cellar.
Above on the ground floor there are more formal reception rooms, all superbly done with bold design that mixes old and new effortlessly, as well as a passage through to a concealed private courtyard.
Split above the first, second and third floors are five elegant bedrooms and accompanying marble bathrooms.
The cherry on the cake of this already delectable property is undoubtedly the large, 'wildlife garden' that spans over 200 ft (remember, we're in London, not in the Scottish highlands). A treehouse tucked away in the leafy corners makes this a wonderful space for all ages.
Lyndale House is currently on the market via Savills at a guide price of £3.95 million — see more pictures, or enquire with the agent for further details.
Highgate Hill: What you need to know
Location: Opposite Waterlow Park, just 200 meters from Highgate High Street in North London, near Hampstead Heath. Archway Underground (Northern Line), Highgate Underground (Northern Line) and Upper Holloway (Overground) are all situated close by.
Atmosphere: The area is well known for its great selection of independent shops, excellent schools and close proximity to parks and green areas.
Things to do: Explore Hampstead Health and Waterlow Park and make the most of the numerous excellent cafes, restaurants and bars in the area.
Schools: Most notably in the area is Highgate School and Channing School for Girls. For primary there is St Joseph's Catholic Primary School which received and 'outstanding' review from Ofsted.
See more property for sale in the area.
-
Six rural properties with space, charm and endless views, as seen in Country Life
We take a look at some of the best houses to come to the market via Country Life in the past week.
By Toby Keel Published
-
Exploring the countryside is essential for our wellbeing, but Right to Roam is going backwards
Campaigners in England often point to Scotland as an example of how brilliantly Right to Roam works, but it's not all it's cracked up to be, says Patrick Galbraith.
By Patrick Galbraith Published
-
Six rural properties with space, charm and endless views, as seen in Country Life
We take a look at some of the best houses to come to the market via Country Life in the past week.
By Toby Keel Published
-
380 acres and 90 bedrooms on the £25m private island being sold by one of Britain's top music producers
Stormzy, Rihanna and the Rolling Stones are just a part of the story at Osea Island, a dot on the map in the seas off Essex.
By Lotte Brundle Published
-
A home cinema, tasteful interiors and 65 acres of private parkland hidden in an unassuming lodge in Kent
North Lodge near Tonbridge may seem relatively simple, but there is a lot more than what meets the eye.
By James Fisher Published
-
A rare opportunity to own a family home on Vanbrugh Terrace, one of London's finest streets
This six-bedroom Victorian home sits right on the start line of the London Marathon, with easy access to Blackheath and Greenwich Park.
By James Fisher Published
-
A tale of everyday life as lived on Britain's most expensive street
Winnington Road in Hampstead has an average house price of £11.9 million. But what's it really like? Lotte Brundle went to find out.
By Lotte Brundle Last updated
-
Damon Hill's former home in Marbella is the perfect place to slow down
The glorious Andalusian-style villa is found within the Lomas de Marbella Club and just a short walk from the beach.
By James Fisher Published
-
A 327-acre estate in the heart of 'England’s Côte d’Or', with a 26,000sq ft Georgian style home at its heart
Stokes Hall in the Crouch Valley is an inspiring property looking for a new owner.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
Schreiber House, 'the most significant London townhouse of the second half of the 20th century', is up for sale
The five-bedroom Modernist masterpiece sits on the edge of Hampstead Heath.
By Lotte Brundle Published