Andover Road, London TW2

This delightful and immaculately renovated three-bedroom Victorian house sits on Andover Road in leafy Twickenham. Its period proportions are cleverly counter-balanced by modern materials, including terrazzo and a playful colour palette. At the rear, a secluded south-west-facing garden has been thoughtfully planted with fragrant climbers, trees and plants.

The Tour

This end of terrace house is set away from the road behind a pretty walled garden that teems with plantings. Its red-brick façade contrasts boldly against dark woodwork and new double-glazed sash windows sympathetic to the original design. A new wooden door and bespoke transom designed by the owners include a brass bumblebee-shaped door knocker that alludes to the bursting garden beyond.

Farrow & Ball paints are used throughout the house; windows have been painted 'Inchyra Blue' inside and out, and the entrance hallway has been painted 'Light Blue' to complement oak flooring underfoot.

To the right of the hallway is a pretty reception room with wooden floorboards, simple cornicing and a double sash window with shutters. A fireplace with floral patterned period tiles provides a focal point to the room, with full-height bookshelves at either side of the chimney breast.

To the rear of the hallway is a wonderfully conceived shower room with a WC, a free-standing basin and a walk-in shower with nooks for storage. Green wall tiles marry with a punchy Little Green wallpaper, while grey floor tiles are warmed from beneath by underfloor heating. Discreet cabinetry has been designed to house utilities.

A bright, modern kitchen and living area is at the back of the plan. Pale green oak-lined cabinetry is topped with a quartz worksurface with a Zellige textured splashback behind. Appliances include a Quooker hot water tap, an integrated wall-hung oven with a microwave above and a free-standing Liebherr fridge freezer, which sits inside bespoke cabinetry housing an oak pantry with pull-out drawers and spice racks.

The bright kitchen is open to the dining room and a further living area. A restful neutral palette blends seamlessly into the tiled floor, warmed by underfloor heating. The room is lit by three large skylights and full-width aluminium glazed doors that open to the garden.

Stairs with 'Light Blue' risers and treads lead to the first-floor landing, where there are two bedrooms and a bathroom. At the front of the house is a large double bedroom with blue William Morris pattern Roman blinds above two sash windows. The spacious second bedroom has period cornicing finished in a verdigris green that mimics the garden views.

The bathroom on this floor is a striking room; a soft prepossessing terrazzo reminiscent of shells on a sandy beach has been used on the floor and on the walls, beneath a pale pink colour wash. Underfloor heating adds to the enveloping feeling. Here, a cast-iron roll-top bath with a deep berry-coloured base stands opposite a pearlescent vanity unit with drawers. Various nooks placed within the terrazzo tiles offer elegant storage and display solutions. Additional bespoke cabinetry is subtly integrated into the wall. A double-glazed half frosted window next to the bath floods the room with daylight.

The main bedroom is on the top floor, between the eaves. A blue theme continues here with ample storage in bespoke fitted wardrobes along one wall. Soft carpet provides warmth underfoot. Double doors open to a Juliet balcony with terrific treetop views over allotment fields beyond and a dormer window is an additional source of light.

Outside Space

The rear living area spills out onto a rear patio, blurring the lines between inside and out in the warmer months. The garden is laid with a semicircle of lawn and surrounded by an abundance of greenery. Carefully curated climbing plants chosen for their aromatic scent include a chocolate vine, an award-winning David Austin's 'Strawberry Hill' rose, named after the local landmark. Other plants include Japanese maple, ferns, fatsia japonica, seasonal perennials and a variety of bulbs. An Access mini greenhouse with tempered glass stands in one corner alongside a Prestige water butt. The patio invites year round outdoor dining and entertaining with an awning that can be rolled out for sunny days.

Area Guide

Twickenham Green is a popular residential area in the London Borough of Richmond-Upon-Thames. The centre of Twickenham is a short 11-minute stroll on foot and has a range of independent shops, restaurants and pubs, including a Waitrose and a farmers’ market on Saturdays. Next to the river, Water Lane Coffee is of note as is Ricardo's Cellar for it's organic wine on Church Street.  Certified organic, Green Butcher, is a two-minute walk and also dispenses milk, eggs and cheeses. 

Also in the area are Teddington and larger shopping areas of Kingston and Richmond, as well as the River Thames at Teddington Lock, with access to the towpath and walking/cycling routes in both directions.

Kneller Gardens, with its playground and cafés, is a two-minute walk away. It links west along the River Crane to the River Crane Corridor Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation. Here, marsh frogs and water voles can be seen in their natural habitat.

One can walk to the river from Andover Road in 20 minutes and follow the Thames Path all the way to Richmond, passing the popular riverside pub, the White Swan.  Bushy Royal Park is also close by, next to Hampton Court Palace. Richmond Park is a couple of miles away.

For keen gardeners an allotment runs adjacent to the property.

The local area has plenty of schools, both private and state-run, junior and senior including well-regarded Waldegrave; all the primary schools in the area are rated either 'Good' or 'Outstanding'.

Andover Road is has good transport links. Whitton station is 18-minutes on foot and Twickenham station is a 26-minute walk where regular services run to London Waterloo. The house is also a short drive from the M3 and has good access to the M25 and M4.

Council Tax Band: E