GUIDE PRICE: £1,400,000--£1,500,000.

INTERNAL VIEWINGS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST.

CHAIN FREE.


This exceptional, seven-bedroom detached family home sits in the green and leafy environs of Preston Valley; just minutes from the commuter station and several highly acclaimed schools. It has been a beautifully maintained family home for over thirty-years, so it is immediately warm and welcoming with generous rooms and a glorious garden to the front of the house which sits behind border walls. There is a secluded south facing patio garden to the rear which becomes a lovely extension of the home during the summer for alfresco drinks and dining, plus there is potential for a south facing roof terrace on the first floor.

Ideal for larger families and entertaining, the ground floor flows perfectly while the upper two floors host all seven bedrooms – all of which are generous doubles sharing a total of four bathrooms. While this is a beautiful home as it stands, there remains huge scope for further reconfiguration and modernisation if need be, which would add value in such a prestigious location.

Families will also appreciate the close proximity of several high-achieving schools, and the transport links both in and out of the city by bus, train or car are excellent. You really do get the best of both worlds here with the coast and the South Downs National Park just a short drive away, and there is a palpable sense of community in the close. A house of such scale with parking, a garage and such glorious gardens, will appeal to those looking to live in comfort and luxury in a family friendly location.

Style: Detached 1920s house

Type: 7 double bedrooms, 4 bathrooms + WC, 2 reception rooms, 1 kitchen breakfast room, 2 studies

Location: Withdean

Floor Area: 3238 sq.ft.

Outside: South facing walled courtyard garden, large landscaped front garden
Parking: Integrated garage and driveway for 3 cars
Council Tax Band: F

Introduction:
Withdean Court Avenue is a picturesque tree lined road wending its way up the western side of Preston Valley, characterised by substantial homes set behind border walls on large, leafy plots. Sitting in such verdant environs, it is hard to believe this property is so well-connected to the city, yet the A27/A23 and Preston Park Station are just a few minutes away.

This house is particularly attractive on the approach as it sits over fifty-feet from the road behind an immaculately manicured front garden. It feels every inch the country home with hung tiles and wide bow windows on its façade which looks out over the long shingle driveway, mature trees and beautiful blooms set around a large area of lawn.

While the main garden sits to the front of the house, it feels perfectly private from the quiet close with just neighbours passing by. There is space for three cars to park on the drive with further space in the integrated garage, or it is free on the street for additional guests when entertaining.

Entrance hall:
Stepping first into a large vestibule for hanging coats and organising shoes, a second door with original stained-glass detailing opens to the beautiful entrance hall where the scale of the house becomes apparent. The ceiling is high and rich ruby carpet runs up the staircase to the upper floors. There are some original early 20th Century features within the wall panelling and the internal doors which bear the classic door furniture of the era.

Sitting Room:
Spanning the depth of the house, the sitting room has two defined halves; one for cosying up by an open fire during the winter, and the other for summer seating alongside patio doors which open to the garden. Two stained-glass porthole windows bring character to the space and the decoration is smart and neutral with shades of calico-cream on the walls and new dove-grey carpet underfoot to suit all styles of furnishing.

Dining Room:
Across from the sitting room, the formal dining room shares the same wide bow window framing views of the manicured front garden. This is an elegant room with ample space to seat at least twelve around a central table, alongside dressers for chinaware and glassware. This is the perfect room for festive lunches and larger family meals, or for entertaining friends. It is a versatile space should you need an extra room for study or a ground floor bedroom perhaps, or for a complete renovation, it would be possible to open this room up to the garage.

Kitchen:
Fine quality, timber cabinetry forms one side of the kitchen in a country, Shaker style, while the other side has been modernised with gleaming black laminate worktops and a black glass splashback. They echo each other in shades of grey to complement white walls and chevron floor tiles for a modern finish. A very generous corner larder holds dry food stuffs, while there are a plethora of other storage solutions surrounding the integrated dishwasher. The range cooker with an induction hob is almost new, but will be staying, and space has been left for a full height fridge freezer, although there is further space for appliances in the adjoining utility room. There is space for a kitchen table alongside doors to the garden which provides a sunny and private outlook for the kitchen.

Utility:
This is a large area, with laundry conveniently located away from the kitchen, with a range of fitted units providing further storage as well as the space for further appliances.

Study:
Adjoining the kitchen is a ground floor study. Over the years this has been used as a playroom, study, bar area and occasional guest room as it is a great size. It is currently configured as a study, but it also has potential for conversion as it sits to the rear of the garage.

The Garden:
As you approach the house, it is clear the current owners have a passion for gardening as the lush green law is bordered by perfect beds of flowering plants and climbers, bringing scent and colour all year round. It is a garden which invites wildlife and has secluded seating areas which catch the last of the summer sun, plus archways of climbing roses when in season. The graceful bay tree and border shrubs are beautifully maintained, and the lawn is immaculate.

To the rear, the sizable courtyard garden is a real sun trap due to its southerly aspect which makes it ideal for growing fruit and vegetables. There is an active grape vine and kiwi vine with edible fruits, plus beds for growing vegetables which ripen in the sun. This rear garden becomes a wonderful extension of the home during the summer with space for drinks and dining alfresco. Being sheltered and private it is also usable on sunny winter days with outdoor heating. With access from the sitting room and the utility room and kitchen, the ground floor flows perfectly with the outside during the warmer seasons.

Master Bedroom Suite:
As the largest bedroom on the first floor, the master bedroom suite also enjoys the largest bathroom with a jacuzzi bath, a separate rainfall shower and dual basins. Opulent bottle green wallpapers feel homely and even with a king size bed and several pieces of freestanding bedroom furnishings, the floor space is not compromised. It also has glorious views over the mature trees of the front garden, so with the windows open during summer, you can wake to the sound of birdsong.

Bedrooms 2, 3, 4 & 5 and the Family Bathroom:
The impressive scale of the house continues on the first floor where corridors run across the width and depth of the house with bedrooms leading from them. There are four further very generous double bedrooms with soft carpets and restful tones on their walls. All rooms are double glazed for additional warmth and tranquillity, and all have soft carpet underfoot. At the end of a short corridor, bedroom two has a contemporary en suite shower room, making it ideal for guests, and French doors overlooking the flat roof of the utility room which could be transformed into a roof terrace. The other three rooms share use of the family bathroom which has classic tiling and traditional fixtures and fittings.

Second Floor Bedrooms & Bathroom:
A further flight of stairs rises to the second floor which feels like a natural extension of the home. There are two double bedrooms up here with vaulted ceilings and plenty of storage within the eaves. It is ultimately peaceful up here away from the hubbub of family life, so they would make perfect rooms for teenagers needing to study, or for young wakeful children. They share use of another shower room with classic tiling.

Agent’s thoughts:
This is a home which feels immediately welcoming. It has been a happy family home for over three decades, raising children and then grandchildren who have enough space to come together as one large group for celebrations, without feeling cramped. There remains plenty of potential to put your own stamp on the place, and the location is ideal for so many due to the excellent schools and transport links.

Owner’s secret
“We have made many happy memories in this house over the years, so it is going to be a wrench to leave. We have a large family, so the house has always been filled with laughter and children playing – yet now they have grown up, we simply no longer need the space. We are moving out of the city now, but we will miss it here hugely.”

Where it is:
Shops: Sainsburys Local 10 min walk, city centre 15 min bus ride
Train Station: Preston Park Station 10 min walk
Seafront or Park: Withdean Park 2 min walk, seafront 10-15 min drive
Closest Schools:
Primary: Balfour Primary School, Westdene Primary, St Bernadettes?
Secondary: Varndean and Dorothy Stringer, Cardinal Newman RC
Private: Brighton College, Windlesham Prep

This generous home is situated in a popular area with lots of local shops and green spaces on your doorstep. The city centre shopping districts and beach are also within easy reach, and this house also offers easy access to Preston Park Station, the A27 and the A23 which have direct and fast links to the airports and London.