Kingsland Road, Worthing, West Sussex

This wonderful three-bedroom Edwardian house proudly occupies a quiet corner in leafy Worthing, perched between the Sussex coast and the South Downs. It has undergone a sensitive restoration that has made use of a soothing palette of colours and textures. A white bluebell dotted lawn wraps around the house leading to a private garden. The South Downs can be reached in 10 minutes by foot, where exploration of the Sussex countryside can begin, and the house is also a walk or short drive away from the picturesque Worthing coastline. Transport connections in the area are excellent; Worthing rail station is less than a 10-minute drive away, with services to London Victoria in approximately 85 minutes. Brighton is 20 minutes away by car for further shopping and dining opportunities, and Gatwick Airport is a 40-minute drive.

Setting the Scene

At the foot of the beautiful and historic South Downs, this charming coastal town was first developed as an elegant Georgian resort in the early 19th century, yet has retained its ancient fishing heritage; the morning’s catch can still be bought directly from fisherman on the beach, just a short drive from the house.

This exceptional house sits within the popular Broadwater area of Worthing. The neighbourhood (once its own village) was originally named after Broadwater Brook, a small inlet of sea water that previously flowed through the land.

Many of the vernacular buildings in the area were developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and the house’s striking red brickwork and thoughtfully restored apex spike is an indicator of its Edwardian provenance. Period details throughout include cast iron fireplaces, picture rails and ceiling roses.

The Grand Tour

This remarkable Edwardian house sits on the corner of the leafy Kingsland Road. A striking combination of red brickwork and wood panelling forms the façade of this house, with newly restored apex spike atop the roof.

A neat brick wall and cleverly positioned shrubbery provides a sense of remove from the street, and an intricate tiled mosaic pathway leads up to a large arched porch. Here, emerald-green and floral-patterned tiles add intrigue, and an original door with stained glass panels completes the ensemble.

Entry is to a light-filled hallway, with reclaimed wooden flooring running underfoot throughout the house. To the left of the hall is an expansive living space, originally two rooms now thoughtfully merged into one. Large bay sash windows allow light to spill in from two sides, and a working fireplace with elegant black mantlepiece is perfect for hunkering down. A picture rail and ceiling roses add period details to this cosy space.

A large kitchen and dining area sits adjacent to the kitchen, offering ample space for cooking and entertaining. Wooden cabinetry lends a rustic charm to this space, where concrete worktops continue the neutral colour palette. A kitchen island with integrated oven and hob provides additional space for kitchen preparations, and Smeg appliances are fitted throughout. French doors unfold onto the patio outside, and an additional wooden door provides access to the garage.

A characterful wooden staircase ascends to the first floor. The principal bedroom is positioned at the front of the house, where a large bay window fills the room with light. An original fireplace with pretty patterned tiles is a relic of this home’s storied past, and a cast iron radiator has been installed. An modern en suite bathroom with walk-in shower by Lefroy Brooks is attached, with slate tiles underfoot and striking Fired Earth crackle-glazed tiles walls.

Two further bedrooms sit on the first floor, one with a large bay window and the other with sash window and a cast iron fireplace. Wooden floorboards run underfoot throughout, and walls are washed in neutral tones.

A family bathroom with Fired Earth solid marble tiles completes the first floor, with a pedestal sink and a bath with overhead shower by Lefroy Brooks.

An attached garage is currently used as a utility room and workshop.

The Great Outdoors

Accessed via French doors, the garden sweeps around the house. A west-facing patio is the perfect spot to enjoy the afternoon sun. Further around, mature olive and silver birch trees provide more dappled light to relax in. Eucalyptus, palm and lime trees border the rest of the garden, offering a spectrum of greenery to enjoy.  

A double garage with reclaimed reeded glass panel doors is currently used as a utility room and workshop, but could be reinstated as private off-street parking.  

Out and About

Worthing is brilliantly located on the South Coast, enviably close to many of the country’s most favoured open landscapes including the South Downs National Park. A protected Neolithic area, it is the perfect place for cross-country treks and more gentle walks. Of note are the Cissbury Rings, an Iron Age hillfort with Neolithic flint mines and incredible views southwards to the sea and northwards to the Downs.

Sir Robert Rawlinson’s high-Victorian masterpiece, the Grade II-listed cast-iron edifice of Worthing Pier, remains as one of the town’s finest landmarks. It is home to seafood restaurant Perch, and back on dry land a plethora of fashionable cafés and restaurants are dotted along the promenade, while the surrounding area has become increasingly fashionable with the well-established artistic community. East Beach Studios are a walk along the seafront from New Parade and form Worthing’s Artist Quarter, a series of artist’s workshops in converted beach huts and a gallery.

Worthing is on the South Coast Cycle Route, which connects Southampton to Dover and runs immediately past New Parade along the promenade; Brighton is a gentle and flat 10-mile cycle away. High tide is the perfect time for swimming in the sea, while low tide is when the sands appear and provides an excellent opportunity to watch birds and explore the tidal pools. For further waterside adventures, Worthing Rowing Club and Worthing Sailing Club are both located nearby on the promenade, with the former holding a much-loved annual summer regatta.

Eating and drinking opportunities are plentiful. Of particular note are Mexican restaurant Salito, Coast Café, Gorilla Kitchen for wood-fired pizza, Chipwick fish restaurant and friendly micro-pub Beer No Evil. The ever-popular Crab Shack has been listed as one of Europe’s ten best beach restaurants in The Guardian. Cultural distractions include Worthing Museum and Art Gallery, which has one of the finest costume collections in the UK, while The Dome cinema is Grade II*-listed and one of Britain’s oldest cinemas.

The choice of local schools is excellent. Nursery schools include Reflections Nursery and Forest School, while state primaries of note are Lyndhurst and Chesswood. Bohunt, St Oscar Romero and Worthing High School are the local co-ed secondary schools. Steyning Grammar, slightly further afield, is also good. Bhasvic Sixth Form College is also nearby in Hove. Independent options include Our Lady of Sion and Lancing College.

Transport links are excellent. Worthing rail station is a 5-minute drive away, or a 20-minute stroll, with services to London Victoria in approximately 85 minutes. Brighton and all it has to offer is 20 minutes away by car, and Gatwick is a convenient 40 minutes away.

Council Tax Band: D