GUIDE PRICE: £550,000--£600,000.

INTERNAL VIEWINGS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST.

Ideal for small families, investors and professionals who commute as Preston Park Station, with direct trains to Brighton, Gatwick and London is a six minute walk, this stylish two bedroom Victorian house with a sunny, landscaped garden is far bigger than its neat exterior suggests with 949 sq. ft. (88.2m2) to enjoy. A sun-lit retreat with an easy flow, guests can relax in an elegant living/dining room by a gas fire in a magnificent, Art Nouveau fireplace and a fabulous, fitted kitchen with a hidden utility area are both good to go. Upstairs, the sophisticated finish continues in the design-led bathroom and two spacious double bedrooms, and the garden, which is raised to catch the sun, is a west facing haven. Preston is a popular area known for its sense of community and open houses during art festivals, where you are never far from fresh coffee or a croissant with local shops and cafés within a short stroll and the vibrant 7 Dials a few minutes by car or bus. The lush acres and sports facilities of Preston Park, which also hosts events including Pride is just 7 minutes on foot, and Dyke Road’s open air theatre, tennis courts, playground and café only 10 minutes’ walk, it is surrounded by good schools and Brighton Station, the city centre and the bars, restaurants and arts venues of the North Laine are just five minutes by cab.

Style: Terraced house circa 1897
Type 2 double bedrooms, 1 bathroom, living/dining room, kitchen, utility
Area Preston
Floor Area 949 sq. ft.
Outside Space Raised west garden
Parking Permit zone A, no waiting list
Council Tax Band C

Why you’ll like it:
Preston has a relaxed, unpretentious vibe. and it is just up the hill from Preston Park and shops, café and small Sainsbury’s. Quiet but convenient between London Road and Dyke Road, which both deliver you into the city and its beaches or out of it to the A23/A27 and South Downs National Park within minutes, this period terrace has real charm, set back from the quiet street. Unspoilt from the outside, sensitive improvements include energy efficient timber framed windows and this skilled design approach continues inside where calm heritage colours and a high end finish combine to create a restful home.

Stripped back to their original blonde, floorboards invite company whilst ahead, the designer carpet runner from Mr Smith introduces you to the subtle but expert styling of this beautiful house. Light and spacious, the ground floor has been opened up to provide a sociable living/dining room ideal for a sophisticated, contemporary lifestyle. With elegant proportions, large box bay window, and swan neck coving above your head the space has retained its period grace, and guests can relax in comfort by a gas fire within a carefully sourced Art Nouveau fireplace.

At the far end of the room a glazed door opens to the kitchen, which has been extended beneath vaulted skylights and ingeniously designed so that the working areas of it are out of sight of the main room. Streamlined units are topped by solid wood surfaces and high spec appliances include a 5 ring AEG gas hob beneath a hood, a Bosch small and fan oven, and there is a surprisingly large separate utility area with plumbing for both a dishwasher and washer/drier, and power for an extra freezer if you like to plan meals in advance.

Through a stable door – ideal if you have pets that you would like to keep in or out whist you entertain- stone steps rise to a sheltered sun trap, facing west but open to the south. Secure behind walls, natural textures of wood, stone and brick soothe and it is a tranquil oasis where an olive tree thrives, and it is scented by jasmine, lavender and herbs and in the spring, you can rest beneath the mature foliage of a magnolia.

Upstairs (and it is worth noting the magnificent 1800 turn of the stair runner), the luxury bathroom is a beauty complete with a freestanding elliptical bath and a walk in shower – each with good quality Flova fittings, and the fabulous hand basin rests on a custom made cabinet.

Completely private, the peaceful bedroom at the back has views over the garden. Shimmering in Laura Ashley paper, it doubles as a comfortable home office. At the front, the second bedroom is a dream come true which stretches the full width of the building – a generous 15’5 x 12’8 (4.7m x 3.86m) approx. Glinting in gold Sanderson paper with matching curtains and blinds which could stay, it looks east for the morning sunshine so you won’t need to change a thing.

Agent says:
“Professionals, small families and investors will love this stylish house, close to the station with parks providing sports facilities and ready-made communities if you have children, jog or just walk the dog. There are friendly local amenities, every part of Brighton and Hove is easy to reach and local schools are good.”

Owner’s secret:
“I came to see this house because the location was well-connected, and over the years I have commuted to London, North Kent, Tunbridge Wells and the Isle of Wight! I loved its period proportions and sunny garden, which always has a spot to sit in the sun, and enjoyed planning all the improvements to create a home which is sociable, as I love to entertain, but also quiet and calm to live and work in. Once I moved, I discovered that although it is very convenient for the city, the street is friendly and peaceful, and there are plenty of local events with something for everyone. The proximity to the station makes life easy if you commute or enjoy nights out in the West End as there are direct trains to Victoria, Kings Cross, London Bridge and Farringdon for example, and the bistro bar opposite the station is a great place to eat if you don’t want to cook. Having Preston and Dyke Road Parks so close is great for community events, exercise, dog walkers and of course all the festivals, such as Brighton Pride and the Foodie Festival.”

What’s around you:
Shops: 1 min by car or 4 on foot up the hill to Tivoli Rd grocery store and café, 7 mins walk down to Local Sainsbury’s and 7 Dials 5 by car
Station: Preston Park 5 mins on foot, Brighton mainline 5-10 by cab
Seafront or Park: Dyke Road and Preston Park 10 mins walk, 2-3 by car, Seafront 15 to drive

Closest Schools:
Primary: Stanford Primary
Secondary: Varndean, Dorothy Stringer
Sixth Form: Varndean, BHASVIC
Private: Windlesham, Lancing Prep, Brighton College, Brighton & Hove High

5-6 minutes’ walk to Preston Park Station with friendly local shops, cafés and bistro pubs this area has a lovely community feel and the nearby primary schools, state and private, are good. Tucked away from the crowds, this house is between Dyke Road’s Park with tennis courts, open air theatre, playground and café, and Preston Park’s velodrome, sports facilities, fun runs and football clubs. Local bus routes go along both Dyke Road and London Road (both out of hearing) to the South Downs National Park or the beach, and you can get to the whole of the city including the world class shopping, fashionable bars, lively arts venues and international restaurants of Brighton’s 7 Dials and Queen’s Road, and Hove’s Church Road easily. If you commute by car, both the A23 and A27 are easy to reach and at the time of writing, permit zone A has no waiting list.