It was built in 1928 and has had just four owners in the past 88 years – and been in the same family for the past 40 years – and now it’s time for a new family to put its stamp on Great Hytall.
Located on the prestigious Lovelace Avenue in Solihull – a private, no-through road – this impressive, seven-bedroom property was designed in the Elizabethan style by architect Leonard Harper.
If making a good first impression counts, then Great Hytall is outstanding, for the house is reached via a tree-lined sweeping driveway, past a lake and extensive lawns. This ends with a large forecourt where there is a four-car garage with remote-controlled door.
Even from the outside, Great Hytall looks grand. The accommodation is set over three storeys and features handmade brick and timber frames and it sits comfortably in formal gardens and parkland that extend to almost seven acres. In fact, the agents claim that it is rare to find a property close to Solihull town centre that is so secluded.
At 6,112 sq ft, it is generously proportioned, as well as light and airy without feeling cavernous. The rooms are packed with period features, including American oak-studded doors, original oak strip flooring, exposed English oak beams, open fireplaces and large stone mullioned windows with stained glass.
From the driveway, you are led past the front garden and lily pond to a veranda and porch, which opens on to the reception hall.
Inside Great Hytall, there is a country cottage feel but on a grand scale. The hallway leads to the main reception rooms, which comprise a large, front-facing formal dining room, with original oak strip flooring and oak panelling, and a generous lounge with stone-carved fire surround, a projecting bay window and further stone mullion windows that provide superb views of the fore and side gardens.
The entrance hall also incorporates a snug/study area, while taking up a large portion of the rear of the house, off an inner hall, is the extended breakfast kitchen, which has space for a table and chairs, a range of Shaker-style oak units, fitted oven, Aga and a walk-in cool pantry that provides plenty of space for groceries.
The first floor also houses a cloakroom and WC.
Five of the bedrooms are located on the first floor, off a galleried landing. The triple aspect master bedroom is large and has fitted wardrobes along one wall and en-suite bathroom with bath, separate shower and WC.
The remaining four bedrooms are also generously sized and all take in views of the gardens. The second bedroom has a large en-suite bathroom with bath and shower, while the remaining three double bedrooms are serviced by a family bathroom. The first floor also houses a large linen room and large cupboard.
The second floor has two large rooms, which could be used as bedrooms or additional lounge space, each of which has access into the eaves space. This could easily be converted into en-suite bathrooms or dressing rooms.
Further accommodation can be found above the four-car garage, where there is a self-contained flat with a bedroom and bathroom.
Great Hytall’s gardens are a particular feature and include carefully designed areas that include mature deciduous and evergreen trees, borders with a range of bedding plants and shrubs including azaleas and rhododendrons to provide all-year colour.
The seven acres also include a large sun terrace, a productive vegetable garden, a tennis court, an ornamental lake with dedicated pathway around, a heated summerhouse, cold frames and a range of brick storage and compost bins. Gardeners will appreciate the brick potting shed, while a second brick building is currently used as a log and equipment store.
With Solihull just over a mile away and access to the M42 also close by, Great Hytall offers the best of both worlds: a rural hideaway conveniently close to a bustling town and wider conurbation.
Agent: John Shepherd
Telephone: 01564 783866
Guide price: £2.35million
