Timber beams are the star at this Harrow post-medieval Hall

Long before Harrow became a densely populated suburb of west London, it was rolling countryside where 16th and 17th-century merchants went to escape the city’s throng (and pollution). It was in this era that this post-medieval Hall was constructed in Pinner.

Known as Sweetmans Hall in Historic England’s records, the Grade II-listed property on West End Lane was constructed during the 16th century on the site of an earlier 14th-century dwelling. It was likely built for yeoman (lower middle-class landowner) Henry Nicholas and sits on a half-acre plot on what was once part of the Manor of Harrow and its curtilage. The Hall was let out during the 19th century, which is probably why it has retained so many of its historic features, though it has also been sensitively expanded to 4,100 sq ft.

The Hall is an asymmetrical lobby-entry house. Despite its grand size, it has cosy vibes thanks to chamfered oak beams and low ceilings across the ground floor. It also has an array of fireplaces, especially in the two ground-floor reception rooms. Here, crisp lime-plaster panels intersperse the solid oak frame of the house.

Also of note to history buffs is the original smoke bay – a precursor to the inglenook fireplace. This timber structure prevented smoke from spreading across the building from the interior open hearth and allowed smoke to escape. They were built exclusively in the very early 16th century –very few originals still exist – and evolved into smoke hoods and, eventually, chimneys.

Upstairs are five bedrooms, including the main suite with its soaring 20-ft-high pitched beamed ceiling and dual-aspect overlooking the gardens, neatly manicured with topiary and box edgings and a small olive grove. A kidney-shaped pool curves around the patio, and there’s a potting shed, pool house and garden room on the grounds, and a six-car garage.

Inigo is listing the historic Harrow home for £2.6m, and a peek around its rooms reveals further Jacobean and Victorian treasures to be discovered.

Out and about, Pinner station is a 9-minute walk away from the London property and is on the Metropolitan line (nearby Hatch End is on the Overground), and the high street has plenty of shops and restaurants.