Poppleton Road, Upper Leytonstone, London, E11

Tucked away in a small collection of residential streets within minutes of good local schools, Hollow Pond, and Central line services, you’ll find a Victorian house full of character and charm. The spacious layout includes a series of living areas filled with beautiful natural light, while bifold doors in the modern open-plan dining kitchen reveal a sizable landscaped garden that offers a retreat from urban life.

Since moving in 13 years ago, the owners have upgraded the wiring and heating system and replaced the kitchen. Furthermore, heritage Farrow & Ball paint shades emphasise the airy rooms, high coved ceilings, and character details (such as exposed floors and Victorian fireplaces) found throughout.

STEP INSIDE

From the street, a wrought-iron gate to match railings set in a low brick wall welcomes you onto a front patio with screening shrubbery. Ahead, a traditional front door, painted blue grey to complement the white rendered exterior with its impressive full-height square bay, opens into a handy porch area.

Here, a dramatic glazed entrance with stained-glass panels to the internal door draws delicate light into the hallway beyond. Dark blue grey paint gives the door, bannisters, and walls to dado-rail height a striking edge in contrast with the natural tones of the panelled staircase, exposed floorboards, and a neutral coved ceiling.

The floorboards flow into the double reception room to your right, pairing with bright white coved walls and elegant ceiling roses adorning the pendant lights.

The living room lies to the front. It’s flooded in natural light by that brilliant square bay, which creates extra room for furniture near the alcove bookshelves and a stylish wall-mounted reading lamp. A grey Roman blind controls the brightness for comfort on sunny days, with the attractive cream wood burner promising many cosy evenings during winter.

Head through the reclaimed folding wooden doors dividing the living room from the rear reception. Fitted with a coordinating office unit featuring shelves, drawers, cupboards, and an in-built computer desk, it’s a lovely and peaceful spot to work by the French doors and transom window overlooking the Indian stone terrace and garden beyond. Alternatively, it would make a lovely playroom.

Continue along the hallway to find access to a useful storage cellar before arriving in the ultra-spacious dining kitchen. Drenched in natural light by a broad side window above the 1.5-bowl sink and anthracite-framed bifold doors, it’s filled with high-gloss wrap-around cabinetry with wood tops to echo the wood-effect flooring. Two pendants brighten the kitchen and breakfast bar, while a ceiling rose is crown for a third on the coved ceiling in the dining area. The character is further enhanced by a traditional cast-iron fireplace with a period surround. 

Integrated appliances to remain include a Kenwood double gas oven and stove with a splashback and extractor hood, a Haier American-style fridge freezer with water and ice dispenser, a Hoover washing machine, and an Indesit dishwasher. The boiler is discreetly housed in the corner cupboard by the bifold doors.

Upstairs, the landing has been decorated to match the hallway and lined with a hardwearing cream carpet. Expanding across the front of the house, the primary bedroom has ample space for a king-sized bed facing a dramatic square bay window. South-facing light also streams in through an additional casement window, but grey Roman blinds ensure darkness for sleep.

Deep alcoves flank the colourfully tiled period fireplace, with space for a tall wardrobe near the bay window and a fitted full-height wardrobe on the other side, painted in a deep green to match the feature wall. The high, coved ceiling (with pendant light) and exposed floorboards also contribute to the airy, spacious feel.

Fresh neutral décor and wood-effect flooring combine in bedroom two. Lit by a large sash window and a central pendant, this well-proportioned double is finished with a high picture rail and a cast-iron feature fireplace.

Bedrooms three and four are painted in Farrow & Ball ‘Salt’ on the walls and floorboards – a bright, crisp white eggshell shade that hints at salty ocean breezes. Bedroom three is a good-sized double and overlooks the leafy garden through a large sash window with a fitted Roman blind to match the one screening the sash window in the nursery/single bedroom. 

A family bathroom decorated with rich green walls, black floor tiles, and a glossy white metro-tiled splashback completes the upstairs. Warmed by a heated towel rail, it contains a P-shaped bath with a glass screen and a shower attachment, a basin with a black vanity unit and a mirrored cabinet above, and a closed-coupled toilet beneath three-tier industrial-style shelving.

OUTDOORS

Open the bifold doors to step out onto the Indian stone terrace, which wraps around the side to meet the French doors in the rear reception for a wonderful party flow. The garden is an excellent size and enclosed by a high timber fence painted in a deep blue to tone with the large shed, while bespoke handmade flower boxes frame a raised lawn shaded by a mature tree. Enjoy sunny breakfasts by the bifolds, then cross the stepping stones to catch the afternoon sun on the rear patio, lingering in the scent of the neighbouring wisteria.

A NOTE FROM THE OWNERS

‘We just love the location. We’re not moving away from Leytonstone; we are just downsizing. It’s been great for our daughter to be able to walk to Leytonstone school over the years. We love our neighbours and the local community spirit, and have a close network of friends. We have taken part in many local events, including the Arts Trail and Jumble Trail. With the Central line, it’s quick to get into the heart of London.’

GETTING AROUND

Poppleton Road occupies a convenient spot in Upper Leytonstone, about a 13-minute walk from Leytonstone Underground (Central line – 24 hours at weekends) and around 22 minutes from Leyton Midland Road station. Alternatively, hop onto the A12 and head down to Stratford to shop and enjoy sporting events and concerts at the London Stadium. From there, you can continue to Canary Wharf or take the A11 into the heart of the city.

IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD

The town centre is also close by, where you’ll find local favourites on the High Road, such as The Red Lion pub, Wild Goose Bakery, Panda Dim Sum, Yard Sale Pizza, and plenty more.

Our local sellers often recommend Out of the Woods or Perky Blenders for great coffee and brunch; The North Star, Filly Brook, or the Heathcote & Star for drinks; Homies On Donkeys for Mexican fare; Yardarm for wine; and Bocca Bocca for delicious pizza; as well as Gail’s Bakery, The Ginger Pig and Harvey’s greengrocers in nearby Wanstead.

Other local favourites include Nirvana Brewery and Decanteur for drinks, Burnt Smokehouse, the bar and restaurant at the Sir Alfred Hitchcock Hotel, San Marino Café for great breakfasts, Fitness Hub Leytonstone for community-based exercise classes, the friendly local newsagents for essentials, Primrose Florists for flowers and plants, and Noted Eel and Pie House.

Some fantastic open green spaces within walking distance include Hollow Pond (10 minutes) in Hollow Pond and Henry Reynolds Gardens (14 minutes), with Wanstead Flats and Park beyond.

SCHOOLS

Barclay Primary School (rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted) is a 15-minute walk away. You can also reach ‘Good’ schools such as Gwyn Jones Primary in just 8 minutes, Leyton Sixth Form in 15 minutes, or Leytonstone School in just three. Noah's Ark Community Preschool is also only moments down the road.