GUIDE PRICE:£1,000,000--£1,100,000.

INTERNAL VIEWINGS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST.


On an exclusive no through road and with a private gate to Withdean Woods from its sunny, west facing garden, this four/five bedroom luxury house with off street parking is a rare find just 5 minutes from a good primary school, Preston Park’s playground and café, and the station with direct trains to Gatwick and London. 2261 sq.ft. (210.0m2) of big, bright rooms over two generous storeys include an inviting living room and a sociable, high-end kitchen/ dining/family room with a wood burning stove, and both open to the garden. A comfortable ground floor home office could also become a fifth bedroom, although upstairs all of the bedrooms have open views, there is a luxury bathroom and the principal bedroom en-suite is a stunner on the prime southwest corner with views over the protected woodland.

Making the most of its elevated position, sunlight streams through this house which has glorious, sweeping views to Ditchling Beacon in the South Downs National Park from the front. Tranquil and private, this location is a well-kept secret, perfect for families and professionals. Local primary and secondary schools both state and private (e.g. Brighton College) are good or outstanding, the gym at Withdean Stadium is around the corner and the al fresco lifestyle of the 7 Dials, vibrant North Laine and Brighton Station, which also has fast trains to London stations, are within a 10-12 minute drive. Between Dyke Road Avenue and London Road, both out of hearing, Withdean is convenient, as both connect you to the countryside and A23/A27 for the Amex Stadium, universities and M23, or take you straight to the centre of the city and its beaches within minutes.

Style Detached house, extended and improved
Type 4 bedrooms: 3 double + 1 generous single, 2 bathrooms (1 en-suite) + cloakroom, living room, kitchen/dining/family room, utility, home office/bedroom 5
Area Withdean
Floor Area 2261 sq.ft.
Outside Space West landscaped garden, open to south, gate to Withdean Woods
Parking Off street parking for several cars
Council Tax Band F

Why you’ll like it:
A hidden gem on a cul de sac most people don’t know is there, this sleek, contemporary house soars above Preston Valley with views which sweep to the South Downs National Park on the horizon, and it impresses from the smart, lit off street parking with an electric car charging point at the front, to the sunny, landscaped grounds at the back. At the far end of this quiet no through road it is very private, and it stands out even from its prosperous neighbours with clean lines, white render and banks of large, energy efficient windows. Raised up from the quiet street at an angle to the other few homes, the expert design ensures privacy as well as uninterrupted light.

Inside, no expense has been spared in this dream home where a subtle balance of style, practicality and comfort includes the choice of good quality engineered flooring for the ground floor as solid oak would bleach and buckle beneath the sun which streams through this house, and a home for all seasons, it also conceals underfloor heat on most of this level.

The Entrance Hall, Living Room and Home Office/Bedroom 5:
Through a statement front door, a broad hallway has abundant, organised storage including under the sculptural staircase, and a guest cloakroom with a designer finish is discreetly tucked away. Ahead, with French doors to the dining terrace which runs across the whole of the back of this substantial building, at 16’4 x 14’4 (4.98m x 4.36m) the living room is an inviting refuge at the end of the day, where friends and family can relax whilst not overlooked, and where dimmer switches bring ambient lighting.

Across the hallway, with inspiring countryside views, the home office is peaceful and private and large enough to be a comfortable fifth bedroom for guests or an au pair, and this flexible space has also been a playroom.

The Kitchen/Dining/Family Room and Utility:
Designed to embrace the dynamic landscape of the garden and to celebrate company, with an astonishing 26’8 x 19’11 (8.14m x 6.08m) to spread out into, the west wall of this spectacular kitchen/dining/living room is almost all glass to bring the outside in. Skilfully planned for those who love to host, there is a cast iron wood burning stove by the seating area, whilst the working area of the kitchen is tucked away behind a sociable central island with an integrated AEG gas hob and power points. Close to hand, high end appliances include an AEG Competence and fan oven at eye level, there’s plumbing for a dishwasher, designated space for a Fischer & Paykel fridge freezer, and the vendors are willing to discuss the machines in situ, subject to circumstance.

With access to a discrete, paved, side part of the garden out of sight of the main grounds, the bright utility room is perfect for parties but also for every day with extra storage, another integrated electric oven and space for a 2nd fridge freezer.

The Garden:
A private paradise behind secure walls, the garden is landscaped for an easy, al fresco lifestyle. A paved lit terrace with doors to both the living room and kitchen diner has power for dining in style, and it wraps around the house, level to it, which is a feature hard to find in a city built on hills. A secure gate leads straight to Withdean Woods, perfect for adventures, jogging and dog walks - which in summer become a short cut to Preston Park Station or to the bus stop on Dyke Road for the 6th form college at BHASVIC. A second, broad tier has a child and pet friendly lawn and a generous space open to the south in which to bathe in the Sussex sunshine, and there is space for a trampoline, which could stay, and both a shed and separate bike store, which will remain.

Three First Floor Bedrooms and Family Bathroom:
With restful open views to the sunrise over rolling downland, the first of the first floor bedrooms is a generous single with 11’0 x 7’0 (3.36m x 2.13m) to play with, although you could use the ground floor room as a bedroom and have this as a home office if you prefer….

Next door, a bright double bedroom is light, airy and private whilst at the back, the third family room looks over the garden which is also reflected in the floor to ceiling mirrored wardrobe doors.

Central to this level, a luxury bathroom is large enough for both a bath with a shower attachment and a separate, walk in shower with a sophisticated dual head system, and there are heated rails for warming towels and nightclothes.


The Principal Suite
All about relaxing in a unique setting, the principal suite is an inner sanctum, tucked away with glass forming the prime southwest corner to frame the woodland and open to birdsong. Blissfully quiet and totally private it is the perfect retreat, simply decorated to keep the focus on the view, and it has a chic shower room with high end fittings.

Agent says:
“Withdean attracts professionals wanting quick access to the city, the universities or the airports but also a healthier lifestyle and good schools for their children. This unique home in a magnificent setting delivers all those factors as well as friendly local amenities, peace, privacy and parking- and a fabulous lifestyle.”

Owner’s secret:
“As well as the beautiful views which change with the seasons, distantly glitter at Christmas and explode into colour on New Years Eve, we have enjoyed the freedom of privacy whilst within easy reach of the sea and the city. Light, airy and tranquil, this has been a very happy family home in a lovely community, and we have enjoyed plenty of parties celebrating birthdays and holidays here. With so much space, we were always able to welcome friends when they wanted to stay over and we as a family were able to have our own space -particularly useful when the children’s friends came to visit! Everything we need- schools, restaurants, stations, sailing club, stables and cinemas are all within easy reach and if you have a dog or like walking, there is a gate which leads from our garden to Withdean Woods where you can enjoy the fresh air and leave the stresses of the day behind.”

Where it is
Shops: Local 2 mins, Waitrose 7, 7 Dials 7-10
Station: Preston Park Station 5 mins, Brighton and Hove Stations about 10-12
Seafront or Park: Withdean Woods next door, Gatton Park, Preston Park and Hove Park 5 mins
Closest Schools:
Primary: Westdene, Bilingual
Secondary: Varndean and Dorothy Stringer, Cardinal Newman RC
Sixth Form Colleges: BHASVIC, Varndean 6th Form, MET
Private: Windlesham Prep, Lancing College Prep, Brighton College, Brighton Girls, Roedean, Lancing

Affectionately known as Brighton’s Hollywood Hills, Withdean is an exclusive area of the city between the sea and the South Downs National Park. Although the thriving city centre’s just minutes away, this prestigious road is quiet with plenty of amenities nearby, local schools are good and there’s access to some of the best private schools in the country, including Brighton College. Withdean Sports Stadium has a range of leisure facilities including a gym, tennis courts and athletic track, and the woods by this house lead to it, and it has its own small community of joggers and dog walkers. Hove & Preston Parks are both a short drive, each with playgrounds and cafés full of local parents, and Gatton Park is a well-kept neighbourhood secret! For those who need swift access to Gatwick or London, Brighton, Preston Park and Hove Stations are all easy to reach by bus or cab and access to the A23/ A27 is quick either via Dyke Road at the top of the hill or London Road at the bottom.