About this property
Extending to 6626 square feet and completed in 1910 by the renowned architect Mr Walter Crum Watson for his own use, Northfield is a Grade B-Listed Baronial style house with separate Gardeners Cottage set in magnificent gardens. The main house offers spacious and flexible family accommodation over the ground and first floors with the additional benefit of a self-contained guest apartment on the second floor.
The property is entered via an attractive vestibule leading to a superb hallway featuring an Ailsa Craig granite column surmounted by an Oriental Capital. From here, the main stair rises to an impressive first floor landing. The banister is wrought iron and features a Scottish thistle design incorporating the architect’s initials and has a Scottish pike handrail and brass ornamental globes at the corners. Of particular note is the first floor drawing room. This beautifully preserved space features oak panelled walls and a barrel vaulted ceiling and benefits from superb views over the Knot Rose Garden and the gardens to the north, south, east and west.
The other two reception rooms are found on the ground floor. The dining room, with its floor-mounted bell connection to the kitchen, is a wonderful entertaining space and has stripped St. Petersburg redwood floors and a stone fire surround. The library also useful as a secondary sitting room has two built-in display cabinets and a large display bookcase. The fireplace in this room is stunning with it’s carved oak over mantel above the engraved rose and thistle stone fireplace. The kitchen, with a variety of pantries and stores, can be found on the western side of the house and houses a four-oven gas fired Aga.
On the first floor there are three double bedrooms and two bathrooms, with further accommodation available on the second floor if required. This floor acts as a self-contained flat, providing two double bedrooms, a modern kitchen, sitting room and shower room with separate WC.
Outside
The property is approached via a driveway terminating in a parking area in front of the house. The gardens are a particular feature at Northfield, and are compartmentalised to provide beautiful sections including a secret garden, a Knot garden and a hedged garden. There is also potential to add tennis courts.
In the grounds is a two-bedroom Gardeners Cottage which is detached from the main house and has its own small garden. This property would provide ideal staff or guest accommodation or would be ideal for an elderly relative as it is on one level.
Local information
- Northfield is located within half a mile of the conservation village of Balerno, a sought after residential area located approximately seven miles to the south-west of Edinburgh city centre. The area enjoys convenient road access to the west, with the City Bypass, Edinburgh International Airport and the central Scotland motorway network all readily accessible.
- Local schooling is highly regarded both in the state and private sectors with Balerno High School, Merchiston Castle School and George Watsons College all easily reached.
- For the outdoor enthusiast there is easy access to a number of golf courses, Hillend Ski Centre and the Pentland Hills. The Water of Leith provides bicycle rides or walks directly to the city centre. The area offers an excellent range of local amenities including shops, a dentist and post office services.
- More comprehensive shopping facilities can be found at Gyle Shopping Centre at South Gyle and at Hermiston Gait. Heriot Watt University campus at Riccarton is also nearby.
- Northfield occupies a private and elevated position and enjoys far-reaching views to the Forth Bridges, The Firth of Forth, Fife, The Pentland Hills.
