In a tranquil enclave of well-kept terraces behind Brighton College, this inviting four bedroom house has both a sunny, south facing balcony and a large south facing garden, rare to find in a historic quarter mostly built obliquely to the sea. Tucked away in an access only one way street this is a convenient area popular with professionals, families and investors as a choice of primary schools, a park, the vibrant al fresco lifestyle of Kemptown and beaches are within a 10 minute radius on foot. Full of character including a wood burning stove in the lounge/kitchen/diner which leads to the balcony, four spacious storeys offer flexible options: On the ground floor, the formal reception is often used as a double guest room as the chic bathroom is on this floor – so central to the house. On the lowest floor, the media room is all about a sociable, al fresco lifestyle opening to the garden whilst up on the top floors, the three remaining bedrooms are big and bright, with the dreamy principal en-suite. Just a 10 minute walk from the Royal Sussex County Hospital, local shops and a popular bistro pub around the corner serve your every need, and it is within minutes of the cafés, restaurants- and seafront Lido- of Kemptown Village. Nearby bus routes take you to the whole of the city and the station serving Gatwick and London(7 minutes by cab), the tennis courts and playground of Queen’s Park (which also hosts events during our legendary festivals) are a short walk, and the picturesque cultural heart of the city or waterfront restaurants of Brighton Marina are a scenic 15-20 seafront stroll or easy to reach by bus or cab.

EPC: D
Council Tax: D

On the market for the first time in many years, and showing a few signs here and there of a long happy tenancy, (hence the price!) you can enjoy a stylish but easy lifestyle in this fantastic family house within a pretty terrace of period properties in an area popular with those who like to sleep but also to be close to shops, restaurants and the beach – and now is the time to buy with major improvements underway on the seafront including the construction of a seafront Lido!

Inside, the lobby is family friendly with matting which gives way to floorboards in the hall and together with the high ceiling they continue into the elegant reception. Ideal for entertaining, the gracious proportions of this room provide a welcoming space in which to spread your wings where sunlight streams through the large bay window and custom made cabinets provide plenty of storage. Often used as a fourth bedroom in these Victorian homes, it would be ideal for guests, sharers or teenagers as the occupants can come and go without disturbing the main bedrooms - and the bonus is that it is close to the surprisingly big bathroom, large enough for a dressing area lined with wardrobes! The chunky, contemporary tub has a rainfall shower above it surrounded by a ‘Parisian’ shower rail and tall rails will warm your towels.

Downstairs, the large kitchen/diner/living room is light and airy with French doors at each end – at the back to a balcony looking over a sea of gardens and to the front, opening to steps to the street and cavernous storage. There is ample space for a sofa as well as a table where homework can be discussed or friends can dine in relaxed seclusion whilst enjoying the garden and a wood burning stove. Well designed, the kitchen is at the other end of the room so although sociable, it does not dominate this whole level. Good to go with user friendly painted units and wood surfaces, integrated appliances include a dishwasher, 5 ring gas hob and fan oven with pull out spice racks to each side and plumbing is in place for a dishwasher – which could stay, subject to circumstance.

Down another flight of steps, the media room has plenty of floorspace as well as light if you wanted a comfortable area from which to work from home, and there is lots of built in storage beneath the stairs. All about an easy, al fresco lifestyle, the glazed door in the south wall opens to the big sunny garden which is an oasis of calm in the city, child and pet secure, paved for ease of maintenance and planted for scented blooms and all year interest.

Returning inside, the first of the double bedrooms on the first floor has restful, leafy views and it is ready to move into with a fitted wardrobe on one side of an original fireplace. At the front, the principal bedroom is a quiet refuge with the soothing dimensions only period properties can deliver, and it has the luxury of its own chic, en-suite shower room. Last but not least, private at the top of the house, the fourth bedroom is bathed in sunlight with two giant Velux in the south roofline, nooks and crannies for furniture and eaves for extra storage. Perfect.

Agent says:
“The sought after properties here are quiet but convenient – and sell fast. By one of the best schools in the country and within walking distance of the hospital and Amex, this is a sought after access only road where the friendly community have summer parties in the street.”

Owner’s secret:
“The city’s picturesque centre is literally only a 15 minute walk, although it is easy to forget that when you turn into this quiet terrace! Inside, all of the rooms are inviting and good sizes, and the house has adapted to our changing needs, providing us with an income when we have been away as it is so close to, but out of hearing of, the hospital. We have loved entertaining here, especially during summer when the garden becomes another ‘room’ of the house to enjoy. The bedrooms are peaceful, the neighbours are lovely and there is a lot going on locally, so you won’t get bored or lonely if you’re new to the city.”

What’s around you:
Shops: Local is 2 minutes away, the Lanes is about 15-20 minute walk.
Station: Brighton mainline is 10-15 minutes by bus.
Seafront or Park: Seafront is 10 minutes away, Queen’s Park is about 4 minutes away.

Schools:
Primary: St Luke’s, Queen’s Park.
Secondary: Varndean, Dorothy Stringer.
Private: Brighton College, Brighton & Hove High, Brighton Waldorf.

Between the beach, beach bars and volleyball courts of Kemptown Village and tennis courts of Queen’s Park which also hosts arts events, ‘Baker’s Bottom’ has local shops and a bistro pub to serve your every need. On the doorstep, the al fresco café culture of the Village also includes a Boots, Post Office and a pharmacy as well as a farmer’s market on Fridays. The cinemas, waterfront restaurants and health club of the glamorous Marina are within walking distance, and the picturesque heart of the city is a scenic 15-20 minute seafront stroll or easy to reach by bus or by cab. By Brighton College, woodland walks and access to the Downs are close by and for commuters, the station serving Gatwick and London is about 15 minutes by bus. If you need a car, access to the coast road, A23/A27 is swift and permit zone H has no waiting list at the time of writing.