Bates Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1

GUIDE PRICE: £675,000--£725,000.

LOVELY FAMILY HOME CLOSE TO SCHOOLS AND SHOPS.

ADDITIONAL LOFT ROOM AREA -IDEAL AS HOME OFFICE /GAMES ROOM/HOBBY ROOM AREA.

INTERNAL VIEWINGS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST.

10-15 mins walk from Preston Park’s direct trains to Gatwick and London, 6 from the park itself and within 5 mins stroll of a good primary and senior school, this restful 3 bed Victorian house with a large attic room has a gently tiered landscaped garden to catch the sun in a great area given a top spot in The Sunday Times Best Places to Live Guide. Local cafés and shops are around the corner and inside, great care has been taken to create a sophisticated family home where 130.6m2 (1406 sq. ft.) of inviting, versatile rooms combine period charm with an easy, contemporary flow. A double depth living dining room offers a warm welcome with an open fire, ample space to enjoy and French doors to the garden, whilst a sociable kitchen breakfast room bathes in sunshine and opens to the garden for al fresco dining. Upstairs all 3 bedrooms are bright, quiet doubles, the private principal with beautiful proportions and a period fireplace, and the spacious family bathroom has a stylish yet practical finish.

In a quiet enclave of historic terraces which rise from the sports facilities, playground and arts events of Preston Park to Fiveways Village – and its 5 ways into or out of the city, homes in this golden triangle do not come onto the market often and sell fast as they attract professionals, families and international investors with London Road at the bottom of the hill giving easy access to the city centre or A23/27, and Ditchling Road at the top, which takes you to the historic heart of Brighton and its beaches or to the National Park.



In brief:
Style Victorian terraced house
Type 3 double beds, 1 bathroom, living dining room, kitchen breakfast room, attic room
Area Preston Park
Floor Area 1406 sq.ft
Outside Space Spacious landscaped garden
Parking Permit Zone F, no list
Council Tax Band D

Why You’ll Like It:
Tucked away on a friendly street with access to Dorothy Stringer Secondary School around the corner and popular Balfour Primary a stroll, this box bay fronted house with timbered gables, discreet double glazing and a tidy front garden has real charm. Inside has a subtle commitment to style, family comfort and practicality and this design approach begins in the hallway which has deep storage for coats and bags, whilst the stripped floorboards underfoot allow a fuss free flow into the inviting living dining room.

Ahead, sunlight streams through the broad front bay of a beautifully proportioned living room where two rooms have become one to create an inviting space ideal for entertaining as well as for family time. The stately period fireplace was used by the previous owners, elegant coving remains unspoilt overhead and French doors open to the delightful garden where there is always a spot to sit in the sun.

Bright and cheerful, the kitchen breakfast room has a sociable breakfast bar by the door to the garden. Well-planned with ample storage, family friendly working services and two levels of lighting, the gas hob and electric oven are integrated beneath a hood, plumbing is in place for both a dishwasher and washing machine and there’s designated space for a big fridge freezer.
Outside, the garden is a tranquil paradise, child as well as pet secure and landscaped to catch the sun as it skims over the roof in high summer.

Thoughtfully designed for easy al fresco summers, a spacious Indian sandstone dining terrace by the house has space for stylish dining - and also has a west facing ‘wine bench’ where you catch the evening sunshine. A wide, shallow step rises to a large seating area designed for ease of maintenance, so you’ll have more time to enjoy it whilst at the far end there’s a lawn for play beneath the dappled shade of a blossoming tree, and there’s also space for a shed/play house.

At the top of stairs, the landing has access to an attic space and the first of the double bedrooms is simple but stylish with inspiring garden views – and is not directly overlooked. Currently used as a home office, it is a good size for a teenager or an au-pair as on the first landing the occupants can come and go without disturbing the main bedrooms. And the bonus is that it is next door to the airy bathroom, where the stylish but practical finish includes a Triton Enrich shower over the bath and warming rails for towels.

At the back the second double bedroom has plenty of character and space of its own with alcoves for wardrobes and an area for quiet study, and looks across the garden.

A calm, comfortable retreat, the third bedroom spans the full width of this substantial property with the restful proportions only a period home can deliver and both a tall sash and broad south bay to bathe the room with light. The decoration is in soothing hues and there’s an original fireplace to relax by.

Private at the top of the house, an attic room delivers versatile options with a Velux in both rooflines and under eave storage.

Agent Says:
“Families stay in this sought after location until their children have grown up and moved on, which makes homes in these tranquil terraces, unusually close to popular schools difficult to find. This inviting house is good to go with a sociable layout, a family friendly finish and a sunny, landscaped garden.”

Owner’s Secret:
“We needed a family house but wanted to walk to the station and the shops, and fell in love with the quiet terrace and the peaceful atmosphere this house has! The house is light and characterful with generous period proportions and the rooms have adapted to our changing needs as the family grew. The flowing layout is perfect for young children as well as for entertaining and when they were older, we could all to spread out to see our friends. We have enjoyed many celebrations in the garden, which always has a spot to sit in the sun, and is also easy to care for so there’s time to relax in it! You can walk to parks and primary, secondary and 6th form schools, so there’s a real community here and we have had 3 street parties so it’s really easy to meet neighbours and local children if you’re new to the city. This is a great place to live with lovely neighbours, the ‘village’ shops of 5 ways – and its 5 ways to the entire city – is a 3 minute drive, and the famous North Laine 6 mins by cab, although we like to walk into Brighton through the park and North Laine and bus back. Preston Park’s sports facilities, football clubs and sociable Saturday fun runs is at the end of Surrenden Road (at the bottom of our street) and Blaker’s Park playground and café are also close by, whilst the sea and the National Park are both about 10 mins away.”

Where it is:
Shops: Preston Village (with local Sainsbury’s) and Fiveways 3 mins by car, city centre at the Level 5-6 mins
Train Station: Preston Park Station 3 mins drive, 15 on foot, London Road 5 mins drive, Brighton Station 8
Seafront or Park: Preston Park 5-6 mins walk, 1 min by car, Blakers Park 10-15 mins on foot, 3 by car, sea about 10

Closest schools:
Primary: Balfour, Downs Junior, Downs Infant
Secondary: Varndean, Dorothy Stringer
Sixth Form: Varndean 6th Form, BHASVIC, Newman 6th Form College, BIMM
Private: Brighton College, Brighton & Hove High, Lancing

Ideal for those needing access to the airports and London as the station to Gatwick and London is a 3 minute drive, (14 on foot) Preston Park is a favourite destination known for its friendly cafés, bistro pubs and small shops which include little supermarkets, including a local Sainsbury’s! Surrounded by parks (Preston Park, Blakers Park and Hollingbury Park) which have playgrounds, cafes and sports facilities it will be easy to meet people – and parks here host events during our famous festivals, too. Local schools from primary to 6th form are good and within walking distance whilst the National Park, bordered by beaches is just a short drive. Vibrant arts venues, restaurants and shopping of the city are all quick to get to by bus or by cab and for those with a car, there’s swift access to the A23/A27 and Zone F has no waiting list at this time.