This elegant stucco-fronted Victorian townhouse is brilliantly positioned on one of the most coveted roads in Barnes, southwest London, at its northernmost point close to the River Thames. Arranged over four light-filled levels with a further attic space, the internal accommodation unfolds across almost 3,500 sq ft, with six bedrooms and a wonderful private garden that opens from both the lower ground floor living spaces and the raised ground reception rooms. Contemporary internal interventions echo elements of the past and blend beautifully with the original plan, including an exceptional Bulthaup kitchen; historic joinery and plasterwork has been carefully preserved. The home is close to bucolic walks along the river and the delights of Barnes Village, as well as the multiple natural open spaces for which the area is well known. The conveniences of Hammersmith are also close by, including its well-connected underground station, just a 10-minute walk away. Some of London’s very best day schools are also within walking distance.

Setting the Scene

Barnes is in the very northeast of the London Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames, in southwest London. A green, wonderfully peaceful district, it centres around the open spaces of Barnes Common, Barn Elms playing fields and the expansive WWT London Wetland Centre. Lonsdale Road is situated in Barnes’ Castelnau conservation area, moments from the River Thames, its towpath and the Barnes Trail offering wonderful walks through a variety of nature including woodland and wetland, and with views to across to Chiswick. A brilliant choice of independent purveyors, amenities and restaurants are centred around nearby Barnes Green, in Barnes Village; the choice of local schools, both state and independent, is exceptional. For more information, please see the History section.

The Grand Tour

The home is positioned from Lonsdale Road behind a low stucco wall with iron railings and clipped Buxus hedging above. Entry is through an electronic remote-operated iron gate set in two stucco gate posts, which leads to a long York stone path running alongside a verdant lawn, with the home set further back from Lonsdale Road. The house is Italianate in design, entirely stucco-fronted with a series of flamboyant dressings, including a triglyph frieze with exaggerated dentil detailing to the first floor. The central home in a row of three grand houses, it is three bays wide and four storeys high. The raised ground-floor French windows open to a cast iron Juliet balcony, wreathed in wisteria; Portland stone steps ascend to the main entrance.

A four-panel entrance door with raised profile features original door furniture and newer Banham security locks; a tall transom light is set above. Further access is set below stairs, leading to the lower ground floor hallway and offering convenient access for services. Opening to the main entrance hall at the raised ground floor, oak floorboards extend underfoot, and tall ceilings are framed with original decorative cornicing. A clear vista leads to the rear of the house and the entrance to the garden.

The exceptionally voluminous bipartite drawing room is almost 30 feet deep, with windows set at both north and south aspects, flooding the space with light. French windows open to the front garden and two large sash windows frame views to the rear garden; both are set in boxes and surrounded with original shutters. The front section of the space is configured as a seating area and features a beautiful statuary marble chimney piece in a Regency design, with a cast iron grate and working fire. The rear of the space is currently used as a study and library, with a wall of floor-to-ceiling bookcases. Folding panelled doors set in a wide architrave separate the two and allow both areas to be sectioned off for convenience, if required. To the rear of the raised ground floor, at the end of the hallway, is an additional open study area with a door to a raised garden terrace that extends the width of the floor.

The lower ground floor has a further long hallway that runs from the exterior entrance at the front of the plan to the WC and utility room to the very rear. The remainder of this floor comprises the capacious kitchen, dining and sitting room, an open plan tripartite space that extends the entire depth of the plan. Douglas fir floorboards by Dinesen are employed throughout the entire floor.

The kitchen is positioned to the front of this space, comprised of flush white Bulthaup cabinetry; extra thick-cut Carrara marble rests atop. A large island unit is positioned centrally with room for bar stools underneath and is inset with a Gaggenau induction hob and oven. Further appliances are integrated behind cupboard doors. The central part of the space is panelled to lend a sense of depth and variation and is currently used as a relaxed dining room, with space for soft seating beside the brick hearth with open fire. From here, a wide set aperture opens to an informal sitting room, with a trio of tall sliding glass doors by Vitrocsa opening to the garden terrace. Dinesen floorboards continue outdoors, lending a sense of seamlessness between interior and exterior spaces. A further elongated pane of glass is set into the ceiling, extending the entire width of the room at the rear.

The principal bedroom is on the first floor and features two large box sash windows overlooking the front garden, as well as a wall of panelled wardrobing. A further walk-in closet leads to the spacious en suite bathroom, which has a Jack and Jill arrangement with the main landing for convenience. Here, a cast-iron roll top bath is complemented with traditional chrome plated brassware, and there is a separate steam shower. Two sinks set in a vanity complete the furnishings. There is also an additional bedroom cum study and bathroom on this floor.

At the apex of the house lie a further four bedrooms, radiating off a spacious landing and sharing a generous bathroom. A set of bespoke wooden steps built into the side of the landing ascend to a loft space which is fully boarded and decorated, with rooflights set into the roof’s pitch. It offers the perfect space for occasional overflow sleeping accommodation or for other activities.

The Great Outdoors

A raised terrace is positioned off the drawing room, spanning the width of the house and bound by an iron balustrade. Brick steps lead down to the garden from here. Additional access to the garden is from the lower ground floor dining room, with Dinesen douglas fir floorboards extending from the lower interior spaces to form an additional seating terrace, perfect for outdoor dining. A series of raised terraces planted with shrubs lead up to the lawn, which is surrounded by mature shrubs and trees. A further seating terrace is positioned to the very rear of the garden, an excellent spot to catch the best of the sun as it moves across the garden during the day.

Out and About

Lonsdale Road is close to the heart of Barnes Village with its excellent range of shops, cafes and restaurants. Inigo favourites include Two Peas in a Pod and The Real Cheese Shop, both brilliant independent purveyors, while Tobias and the Angel is a much-loved interiors store. Drinking and dining options include The Bull’s Head, Rick Stein Barnes and Orange Pekoe. Additionally, the excellent two-theatre Olympic Studios cinema offers the best of film from exceptionally comfortable seating.

The house is also moments from the popular Barnes Trail, a walk taking in the whole of the riverside and green spaces of Barnes Common, Barn Elms playing fields and the expansive WWT London Wetland Centre.

The choice of local independent and state schools is oustanding, and includes St Paul’s School, St Paul’s Girls School, The Harrodian, The Swedish School, Ibstock Place School, Godolphin and Latymer school and Latymer Upper School. At preparatory and primary level, there is St Paul’s Juniors, St Osmund’s Primary School, Lowther Primary School and Barnes Primary School.

Transport links are excellent. Hammersmith Broadway is just ten minutes’ walk over Hammersmith Bridge, with Hammersmith station offering services on the District, Hammersmith and City, Piccadilly and Circle lines. Additionally, overground trains run from both Barnes station and Barnes Bridge station, offering direct routes to London Waterloo Station. Access to Heathrow Airport is also incredibly convenient, with Lonsdale Road moments from the A4 and M4.

Council Tax Band: H