Beaconsfield Villas, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1

GUIDE PRICE: £1,000,000--£1,100,000.

INTERNAL VIEWING AVAILABLE AS REQUESTED.

This beautiful 5 bedroom Victorian end of terrace house with a spacious garden wrapping from east to west through the south has classic proportions and a relaxed, family flow. On the cusp of Preston Park and Fiveways, both given a top spot in the Sunday Times Best Places to Live Guide, it comes with a choice of good primary schools, popular senior schools and playgrounds of Blakers and Preston Park within a 4 minute radius, and the station with direct trains to Gatwick and London is 4 minutes by cab, or 15-20 on foot.

Inside, an astonishing 1958 sq. ft. (181.9m2) of sun-lit rooms offer versatile options, and sensitive modernisation includes a gas fire in the period fireplace of the inviting living room, which could be re-connected, stnc. Next door, the formal dining room looks over the garden but is now used as a guest bedroom as there is a contemporary shower room by it, and the sociable kitchen/diner, which opens to the garden, has 22’9 x 11’11 (6.94m x 3.63m) in which to entertain. Upstairs, the first floor delivers 3 more generous family bedrooms, a luxury bathroom and separate w.c., whilst at the top the 5th bedroom is a restful retreat with its own chic shower tucked away.

Known for its quiet convenience with a store around the corner and a doctor’s surgery, local shops and cafés at the end of the street, houses in this attractive terrace do not come onto the market often and attract professionals, families and international investors in a golden triangle where the city centre, sea and South Downs National Park are within easy reach.

In Brief:

Style Victorian end of terrace house

Type 4/5 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms + shower, 1/2 receptions, kitchen/diner

Area Preston Park

Floor Area 1958 sq.ft.

Outside Space Big garden wrapping from east to west through south, west balcony

Parking Permit Zone J

Council Tax Band E

Why You’ll Like It:

Quiet and convenient with zone J permit parking which extends to Preston Park, the village shops at Fiveways (if you don’t want to walk) and the Level at the foot of the North Laine, this is one of the most sought after areas of the city with local bus routes into or out of Brighton giving older children some independence. As end of terrace this house is on a large plot and it is worth noting that there was a garage in the garden at some point in the past, and there is a dropped kerb to the side raising interesting possibilities, stnc.

Set privately up and back from the tree lined street behind an exotic front garden, this charming family home with broad bays, a west facing balcony and stained glass above the front door is on the market for the first time in 25 years.

The Entrance Hall, Reception and Dining room/Guest room and shower room:

With an internal lobby, ahead the historic proportions of the elegant hallway are inviting with views though the house to the garden and wood underfoot to ensure a fuss free flow.

Quietly impressive, with the grace that only period properties deliver, the living room has plenty of space to share. Ideal for everyday as well as for entertaining, sunlight streams through the west bay, the ceiling soars and there is now a discreet flame effect gas fire within the marble fireplace, which could be re-connected subject to the usual checks.

Next door, guests can enjoy a traditional dining experience in this sunny, south facing room with garden views, although it is currently a 5th double bedroom with 14’9 x 13’6 (4.5m x 4.12m) providing plenty of floorspace for a big bed, wardrobes and a workstation. Just along the hallway, a contemporary shower room has a lit cabinet and a warming rail for towels.

The Kitchen Diner and Garden:

Bright and cheerful at the back of the house, the kitchen diner is on the same level as the front rooms – a feature hard to find in a city built on the South Downs. There is ample room for a big family table whilst a wood floor enables an easy flow out to the garden through broad French doors. The heart of the home, family friendly units conceal sophisticated storage and the working surfaces are also very practical. Well-planned, the gas hob and electric oven are integrated, plumbing is in place for both a dishwasher and a washing machine and there is designated space for a tall fridge freezer.

Perfect for an al fresco lifestyle the kitchen opens to a brick paved, south facing seating area next to spacious lawn with space for play and there is a side gate for bikes and buggies in the wall. A quiet sun trap behind walls with mature beds planted for scent, fruit and vegetables and all year interest, this garden wraps across the south side of the house where a paved terrace is large enough for al fresco dining, which could be made child and pet secure simply by installing a gate between this area and the front garden, or by reinstating a secure gate in the historic front posts, stnc.

Three First Floor Bedrooms, 2nd Bathroom, Separate W.C:

At the top of the stairs, the first of the big double bedrooms is understated with simple decoration. It has leafy garden views - and unusually, it is not directly overlooked.

Next door, the stylish family bathroom has a dual headed shower above the bath, twin hand basins beneath a window and a heated rail for towels, whilst next door a separate cloakroom with a hand basin, toilet and natural light is ideal for busy mornings.

On the first floor, facing south for the Sussex sunshine, the third double room has plenty of space and character of its own. At the front the third double room, currently used as a welcoming reception, is light and airy with both a broad west bay and tall sash window in the west wall and restful dimensions to enjoy.

The Top Floor Bedroom:

A secluded sanctuary in which to work, rest or play, this peaceful refuge of 23’4 x 14’5 (7.10m x 4.41m) has plenty of storage and the shower is a high end Mira, so it is good to go.

Agent’s Thoughts:

“Just a few minutes from Preston Park and convenient for schools, the city and station to London, this big, bright, family home on a large corner plot with a sunny garden is on the market for the first time in 25 years.”

Owner’s Secret:

“We fell in love with this big, bright house where we wanted to raise a growing family, and the layout has been perfect, allowing an open house for our children’s friends whilst we had our own space in which to entertain, too. There’s a great sense of space with an easy flow, especially on the ground floor, and the layout has easily adapted to our changing needs. As the end of terrace, the light streams in through three sides, so it is always a pleasure to return to. The sunny garden is large but private with enough room to enjoy together, although having Blaker’s Park a 1 minute walk was a real bonus as it was easy to meet local parents and children – and most of them are still here so our grown up kids always like to come here for New Years Eve! There’s a great community with al fresco cafés and shops, including a small Co-Op and Sainsbury’s all within easy reach and although the street is convenient for the city and the station, it is quiet at night.”

Where It Is:

Shops: Local 1 min on foot, Preston Village & Sainsburys/Fiveways Co-Op 2 by car, 10-14 walk

Train Station: Preston Park Station 4 minutes’ drive, 15-20 walk

Seafront or Park: Blakers Park 4 mins walk, 1 by car, Preston Park 8 on foot, 2 by car (same zone), sea about 10

Closest schools:

Primary: Balfour, Downs Junior, Downs Infant, St Bernadette’s RC

Secondary: Varndean, Dorothy Stringer

Sixth Form: Varndean, BHASVIC, BIMM

Private: Brighton & Hove Montessori, Windlesham, Lancing Prep, Brighton College, Brighton & Hove High, Brighton Waldorf, Roedean, Lancing

Ideal for those needing access to the airports and London as the station is a 4 minute drive, Preston Park is a favourite destination known for its independent friendly shops, cafés and small Sainsbury’s with the al fresco lifestyle of Fiveways also within a walk. Between family friendly Blakers Park and the expansive leafy acreage, playground and sports facilities of Preston Park -which both host events during our festivals- local schools are good and within easy reach, and the National Park bordered by beaches is just a short drive. The vibrant arts venues, international restaurants and cosmopolitan shopping of the city are all quick to get to by bus or by cab and for those who need a car, there’s swift access to the A23/A27 and Zone J has no waiting list.