Edwardian Arts & Crafts house, with coach house and stunning gardens.

Description

The front elevation of Southwood is extremely attractive largely thanks to a striking glazed porch with brick base and barrel ceiling. Stone steps lead up to it, and a door beyond a stone archway continues into the inner porch. The entrance hall beyond offers an abundance of character, with original timber panelling and an elegant open staircase with timber balustrade and scalloped curved handrail. A stained glass window over it floods the entrance hall below and the landing above with atmospheric colour.

The three principal reception rooms all sit off the entrance hall. The sitting room overlooks the front of the house and has a Firefox log burner set into an arched recess with carved mantel and flanking columns. The dining room is also front facing, with windows on two aspects, and like the drawing room, has views over the roof tops of Dunfermline to the countryside beyond. Character features include an arched buffet recess, a press and decorative cornicing. There is a gas fireplace and door leading to the adjacent butler’s pantry, giving easy access to the kitchen. The family room overlooks the south gardens and also has a gas fireplace with beautifully carved wooden mantel. Southwood’s kitchen has double doors that open up into the garden. It has fitted appliances including a gas Rangemaster with two ovens and a six burner gas hob, a Rangemaster fridge freezer, and a Whirlpool dishwasher. A door conceals the back staircase, and a further door leads into the utility room. This has a pantry cupboard, store room and boiler room, as well as a door to the rear of the house. The ground floor has two WCs, one off the entrance hall and the other off the utility room.

The first floor has four double bedrooms set off the main landing, all with character features such as attractive fireplaces with fixed mirrors above and tiled surrounds. Three of the bedrooms have stunning west facing views over the roof tops and beyond, thanks to the house’s elevated setting. The fourth bedroom faces south, also with lovely views. The principal suite has an en suite shower room. There is also a family bathroom with freestanding bath and separate shower cubicle. There are two large cupboards off the landing. A mezzanine level split in the main staircase leads to the south facing guest bedroom. Beyond this is a study, which could be a further bedroom, with two generous cupboards, and the back stairs leading down to the kitchen.

GARDENS AND GROUNDS
The tarmac driveway passes through stone pillars with gates and continues alongside the beautiful garden, past the back door and around to the front of the house, where there is a generous gravelled parking area. There is also a useful parking area at the back door.

The grounds at Southwood extend to about 0.6 acres in all. The principal gardens are spectacular, and lie to both the south and east of Southwood. Immediately outside the kitchen is a south facing patio which is surrounded by fully stocked flower beds and a variety of trees. Stone steps lead up through an arch in the hedgerow, and down into the main gardens. They are separated into three separate sections, with steps leading from one to the next. There are spacious lawns, a variety of young and mature trees including a large willow and spruce, a circular flagstone terrace for outdoor entertaining, raised and fully stocked beds, a dedicated kitchen garden area and a garden shed. There are numerous areas established for outdoor seating and entertaining around the grounds. To the front of the house are beautiful mature shrubs including rhododendrons, and large broadleaf and evergreen trees including a copper beech and cherry to name just a couple of species. These provide great shelter and privacy. An established walkway takes you through a sloped wild garden beyond the gravelled area. There is a large cellar accessed by a door to the side of the house.

The coach house sits at the foot of the garden, off the end of the driveway. It has an attractive appearance, with a high pitched roof and two sliding wooden doors on a roller. Subject to the necessary consents, there could be potential for conversion into separate accommodation or a home office.

Location

Dunfermline is a historic town situated to the north of the Firth of Forth only 16 miles from the centre of Edinburgh. Renowned for the famous Abbey and the birthplace of the philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, Dunfermline is a bustling town with a good road and rail network making it one of the most accessible towns in central Scotland.

The M90 provides fast access to Edinburgh and Perth while the A985 via the Kincardine Bridge is a good road route to Glasgow. Dunfermline Town railway station offers regular and direct services to Edinburgh’s stations, including Waverley (under 35 minutes), Edinburgh Gateway (under 25 minutes) and Haymarket (under 30 minutes). The centrally located bus station provides direct services to Edinburgh and Glasgow as well as Perth, Dundee, St Andrews and Aberdeen. Edinburgh International Airport is only 15.5 miles away.

The town has a broad range of amenities including professional services, a good retail offering and leisure facilities. The Abbey and museums are a popular draw and the Alhambra Theatre is on the circuit of many international artists. Much of the centre of Dunfermline is protected by conservation status including two beautiful public parks which provide outstanding open spaces.

Square Footage: 4,664 sq ft



Additional Info

Southwood is a beautiful, well-presented and practical family home, dating back to 1902. The house sits in an elevated setting offering superb views, and was designed by local architect Andrew Muirhead in an Edwardian Arts & Crafts style. The house is described by Historic Environment Scotland as “An intact early 20th century house of loosely Art Nouveau design, incorporating some interesting original features.” Southwood is Category C Listed, and an attractive coach house was added in 1911. Whilst retaining an abundance of period features throughout, the house provides a high standard of living space set over two floors, with accommodation that is ideally presented for a modern family lifestyle.

Services
Mains water, gas, electricity and drainage. The central heating is provided by a mains gas fired boiler.

Local Authority & tax band
Fife Council tax band G

Listing
Southwood is Category C Listed

Fixtures & Fittings
Curtains, carpets and blinds are included in the sale. The white goods in the kitchen are included. Light fittings are included except for one in the drawing room. The greenhouse and metal gazebo are specifically excluded.