GUIDE PRICE: £1,400,000--£1,500,000.

INTERNAL VIEWINGS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST.


This detached, five bedroom family house with off street parking and a garage is on an exclusive, no through lane which culminates in a leafy pathway to take you to Preston Park Station in 5 – 8 minutes, ideal should you need rapid or regular access to Brighton, Gatwick or London. Five minutes from an outstanding primary school with a choice of good secondary schools nearby, it sits within its own large, landscaped grounds. New life breathes through this sun-lit 1930’s beauty which has been sensitively extended to 3082 sq. ft. (286.3m2), delivering an easy balance of impressive rooms for entertaining and bright, comfortable spaces for family time.

The formal drawing room opens to the conservatory and leafy garden, and across the hall guests can relax in an elegant dining room with views across the beautiful garden to the south. At the heart of the ground floor, the kitchen breakfast room is bright and cheerful with French doors to the back garden and leading off the kitchen, the vaulted family room has French doors leading to both the garden to the rear and to a secluded, south facing dining terrace. Upstairs, all of the bedrooms are generous doubles, the two bathrooms have a luxury finish and the principal bedroom is a peaceful haven with two dressing rooms – one of which could become an en-suite.

A favourite destination within the city, this location makes family life effortless with the gym and sports facilities of Withdean Stadium, the open spaces of Withdean Park, Surrenden Field, a local Nature Reserve and playground and café of Preston Park all within easy reach. Well-connected with bus routes to give older children independence it is close to London Road which takes you into the heart of the city and its beaches, to Devil’s Dyke or to the A23/A27 and Amex Stadium in minutes. Preston Park Station is a short walk or 3 mins by cab.

Style: Detached 1930’s house, extended and improved

Type: 5 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms+ cloakroom, reception, dining room, family room, conservatory, kitchen breakfast room

Location: Withdean

Area: 3082sq.ft

Outside: Large wrap around gardens from the south

Parking: Attached garage, off street parking for two cars, free on street

Council Tax Band: F

Why you’ll like it:

Introduction:
Leafy and lined with prosperous homes, this no through road is in one of the most prestigious areas of the city where properties do not appear on the market often. Built in Arts & Crafts style subtle improvements include energy efficient windows, seamless extensions and beautiful landscaping in the gardens, which at the front deliver an inviting, scented approach which screens the house from the street, with lit off street parking and the garage to one side.
The Hallway, Drawing Room and Conservatory
The deft blend of old and new begins in the storm porch where the oak front door in traditional ‘Tudorbethan’ style is now a delicate contemporary colour. Inside, sunlight streams through a hallway which at 16’2 x 10’10 (4.94m x 3.3m) gives you an idea of the scale of this house, where original panelling has been subtly brought into the 21st century and the oak staircase has glass balustrades to flood the space with light. Underfoot, gleaming parquet continues into the reception and dining room to give guests and pets free reign. A cupboard, under stair storage and a cloakroom all provide useful space in a busy home.

Stretching a magnificent 19’7 x 12’8, the elegant proportions of the drawing room invites company, and the room gleams in beautiful wallpaper beneath ambient lighting. A room for all seasons with leafy views at the front and French doors to the conservatory at the back, and on cooler evenings there is a flame effect gas fire in the stately fireplace.

Full of sunshine, the vaulted conservatory sweeps open to the lush, leafy garden at the back which due to its size means there is always a spot to sit in the sun with a book. Large enough for dining in style, it is currently used as a peaceful home office with twin sets of custom built cabinets which reach the ceiling.

The Dining Room and Kitchen/Breakfast Room
A sophisticated dining room allows guests to enjoy a traditional dining experience in a characterful room with painted panelling and a gas fire within a classic fireplace. Nicely secluded, the broad bay which almost fills the south wall frames the mature planting of the front garden, whilst at the other end of the room, a hatch opens to the kitchen for seamless hosting.
Perfect for parties but also for every day, the big, bright kitchen is extended beneath a vaulted glass roof with a fitted breakfast bar where completion of homework can be encouraged or family time enjoyed. Well-planned and good to go, painted units provide ample storage and solid wood surfaces are family friendly. The fabulous Neff multi fuel range could stay, subject to circumstance, and high spec fitted appliances include a Neff microwave, wine cooler, fridge, freezer and dishwasher as well as both a washing machine and a dryer. Folding doors to a larder keep surfaces uncluttered and French doors open to wide steps with space for a bistro set which lead to the large dining terrace and lawn.

The Family Room and Gardens
Brimming with light and character, the vaulted family room has exposed beams high overhead, and you can also see some exposed brick on what used to be the outside wall of the house. With broad French doors at each end, this room of 15’7 x 12’3 (4.76m x 3.74m) is ideal for entertaining people of any age, but is perfect for teens as you can close the door and they and their friends can flow in and out of the gardens at both the front and back, or watch a film inside as there is ample space for sofas and a tv. A touch open cupboard provides discreet storage for games or books and underfloor heat ensures it is always warm and welcoming.

Outside, the front garden has a Gertrude Jekyll influence with a mix of scented and easy care plants including lavender, climbing hydrangeas and mature trees and shrubs which screen the house. Gates to the street and to the back garden make all the grounds child and pet secure.
At the back, there is a paved terrace area ideal for al fresco dining where you can enjoy watching the children or pets playing on the large, adjacent lawn. Made private by ingenious planting for all year interest, a side path leads to a secret working area with a shed at the far end.

Two Family Bedrooms, The Principal Suite and Luxury Bathroom
Each generous in size and both beautifully presented, the two family bedrooms on the first floor are also private as they each look over gardens.

Central to this level, the luxury wet room has a fashionable drench head shower. The traditional cabinet beneath the contemporary hand basin acknowledges this home’s history, although there is nothing old fashioned about the designer finish here which includes a warming rail for towels and plantation shutters.

A restful retreat, the principal bedroom suite spans the east side of the house from front to back. Light and airy with 13’3 x 12’10 (4.04m x 3.91), the soothing bedroom has plenty of space in which to unwind whilst enjoying birdsong as there are large windows to the gardens at each end. Central doors lead into a generous dressing area lined with sophisticated storage, and the second door from the hallway remains should you ever wish to reconfigure the space. To the side, a second dressing area stretches 19’3 x 5’6 (5.88m x 1.66m), and it is this space which had planning permission for an en-suite and dormer, but the vendors decided they didn’t need a 3rd bathroom.

Two Top Floor Bedrooms and Contemporary Bathroom
Private and peaceful at the top, these two bedrooms each have lofty proportions and under eave storage. Ready to move into, both have Velux windows at the front and back, and they share a fabulous bathroom where the double ended bath has dual head shower system above it, and the hand basin has a sleek vanity below it. An ideal floor for the children, for guests or an au pair, you are spoilt for choice as this storey could also be used as a principal suite.

Agent’s Thoughts:
“Within a golden 5 minute radius of primary and secondary schools, parks, shops and a station with direct trains to London, this bright, beautiful home with a sociable flow is on a friendly, no through street only about 10 minutes from the sea.”

Owner’s Secret:
“Like most people in the close, we first chose the house as it was convenient for the commute to London as well as for schools and parks, but this became a very happy family home which welcomes friends with plenty of space to entertain and for them to stay over. Opening to the garden the house is airy during summer - and being able to close doors means it is cosy in winter and we also had some peace and privacy when the house was full of noisy teenagers! Local schools are good – Westdene primary school is a 3 minute drive -so you will meet other parents at the gate or in Preston Park’s playground and café. If you are a couple, Surrenden Field around the corner is good for ball games and dog walking, and the gym at Withdean Stadium is very sociable too. We have loved the gardens which always have a sunny spot to sit in and is big enough for little ones to play in. The cul de sac is safe with friendly and considerate neighbours, and bus routes gave our older children independence. Convenient for work as well as nights out in Brighton or Hove, Preston Park Station has direct trains to London if you enjoy the theatre or commute and we hope that you will enjoy the house and its location between the Downs and the sea as much as we have.”

Just a few minutes from central Brighton & Hove but surrounded by parks and green spaces, this area has something for everyone and is also ideal for commuters as Preston Park Station with direct trains to Gatwick and London is a 5-8 minute walk or 3 by cab. Close to good schools – and Westdene Primary is outstanding- the al fresco cafes and friendly ‘village’ parade at Preston Park and Fiveways are a magnet for locals. For those who love the water the sea is at one end of nearby London Road and if you enjoy the great outdoors, the National Park is at the other! Arts venues, international restaurants and cosmopolitan shopping of the city are all easy to reach, and for those who need to commute by car, there’s swift access to the A23/A27 for the motorway or Lewes.