Rugby Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1

GUIDE PRICE: £1,200,000--£1,300,000.

ANOTHER SALE AGREED BY BRAND VAUGHAN PRESTON PARK OFFICE.

STUNNING PERIOD FAMILY HOME.

ONE OF THE MOST SOUGHT AFTER RESIDENTIAL PERIOD ROADS IN BRIGHTON.

WEALTH OF CHARACTER.

GOOD SIZE LEVEL REAR GARDEN.

GARDEN HOME OFFICE.

INTERNAL VIEWINGS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST.



Absolutely beautiful from the immaculate front garden to the stunning oasis at the back, this 5 bed, semi-detached Victorian house is in an exclusive area between Preston Park and Fiveways Village both given a top spot in the Sunday Times Best Places to Live Guide. One of the first houses to be built in 1888 along this tranquil, treelined road, inside period features include stained glass windows and open fires whilst sophisticated contemporary design has created an exceptional home with an impressive double reception, a glamorous kitchen dining room folding open to the garden and light and spacious bedrooms – the principal en-suite. Ideal for professionals or a family with plentiful permit parking with no list, the sports facilities, playgrounds and cafés of Preston and Blaker’s Park 2 mins drive (same parking zone in areas), there’s a good junior and infant school at the end of the road, senior schools are within reasonable walking distance or a 5 min drive, and both Brighton and Preston Park Station’s direct trains to Gatwick and London are 6-7 mins by cab – with London Road Station for Falmer and Lewes just a 5 min walk.

With glorious proportions, the interior fuses period grace with a luxury lifestyle. The inviting reception offers options to be used as two rooms with central, folding doors as well as a warm welcome with two open fireplaces. Perfect for every day but also for parties, the high-spec kitchen dining room flows around a central island with a wall of glass to bring in the unusually large, sunny garden – which is landscaped for all year entertaining with a spacious child and pet friendly lawn, a fabulous dining terrace by the house, a hidden, west facing decking area and a big, bright garden room with points for internet access. Upstairs, the sun-lit family bedrooms are peaceful and private doubles, the bathroom has a designer finish – and the principal, 5th, bedroom is a restful refuge complete with a chic shower room.

Within 2 mins drive of the relaxed al fresco lifestyle of Fiveways and Preston Village, homes in this sought after ‘golden triangle’ of attractive terraces do not come onto the market often and sell fast, with Ditchling Road at the top of the hill giving swift access to the picturesque heart of the city and the sea or the National Park, whilst London Road, at the bottom of the hill, takes you to the city centre or A23/27.

In Brief:
Style Semi-detached Victorian town house 1888
Type 5 bedrooms (4 double), 2 bathrooms (1 en-suite) + GF w.c., double depth reception (which can be used as separate rooms), kitchen dining room
Area Preston Park/Fiveways borders
Floor Area 2180 sq.ft
Outside Space Front and back gardens, garden room + 2 stores, secure side gate for access and bikes
Parking Permit Zone J, no waiting list
Council Tax Band E

Why You’ll Like It:
Quiet but convenient with plentiful permit parking, this is one of the most sought after conservation areas in our coastal city between the playground and sports facilities of Preston Park and the independent shops and cafes at Fiveways – and 5 mins drive from The Level at the foot of the North Laine. With local amenities just around the corner, family friendly Blakers Park is a 5 min walk and local bus routes take you in or out of the city – or to the secondary schools and 6th form college.

The Approach and Hallway:
With immense charm from the kerb, this lovingly refurbished home with discreet timber framed double glazing is set well back from the leafy street behind an immaculate garden and freshly tiled pathway in traditional style. The front door has sunflower stained glass panels by a local artist and inside, the lobby door has retained its original glass. Ahead, the hallway introduces you to the stylish yet classic interior design where Victorian plasterwork remains unspoilt, anaglyptic wallpaper beneath the dado rail has been carefully sourced (and continues up the stairs into the 2002 loft extension), wood is underfoot to ensure a fuss free flow through the ground floor and a w.c. for guests is tucked away.

The Double Depth Reception:
Ideal for entertaining, two rooms can become one to deliver an inviting space in which to spread your wings. Sunlight streams through the broad south bay whilst at the far end, a window with both contemporary and Victorian coloured glass looks through to the kitchen dining room. Painted in historic hues with custom built cabinets and shelving and elegant coving high overhead, central folding doors provide options and friends can enjoy a roaring fire in both spacious areas.

The Kitchen Dining Room and Garden:
A glorious, sun-lit sanctuary spanning the whole of the back of this property, the kitchen dining room is a beauty, designed for together time – but also perfect for enjoying company. The Sussex sunshine pours through four skylights which close automatically if it rains, a wall of glass folds away to bring the outside in, and there is plenty of space for a big family table with a choice of ambient lighting for the evenings. High spec, the glamorous kitchen is safely tucked away from the social flow behind a custom made breakfast island with a Neff touch induction hob and power points built in, and the hygienic, granite surface gleams beneath the lights of the hood above. Streamlined units topped by user friendly wood deliver sophisticated storage solutions, top grade appliances include a grill/combi plus a fan oven in a tower and a second fridge and dishwasher are integrated for you. There’s an organised, walk in pantry and plumbing and power for utility machines are concealed within matching cupboards.

Outside, the back garden is one of the largest we have seen in the area, open to the east and west, so there is always a spot to sit in the sunshine. Thoughtfully landscaped for a family friendly, al fresco lifestyle it’s child and pet secure behind fencing – and it’s also level, which can be a feature hard to find in a city built on the South Downs. Designed for easy maintenance with well stocked borders for seasonal flowers where lilac and olive trees also thrive you’ll have more time to enjoy it, and the central lawn is large enough for play, looked over by both the big, slate paved terrace by the house- and a secret, covered west facing deck area. At the far end of the garden, the stylish home office is well insulated and is equipped with heating, power and internet access. There is also a discreet, secure bike store and a second store.

Four Family Bedrooms and Luxury Bathroom:
Upstairs, the first double bedroom is a teen dream, vaulted to the roofline with a skylight to frame the night sky on the mezzanine, sleeping level and a large window with garden views on the spacious lower level. Ideal for growing children as they can entertain their friends or study in comfort, this room is on the central landing within the house, so they can come and go without disturbing the main rooms.

Next door, the luxury bathroom has twin, original leaded windows with coloured glass and has a subtle, Victorian influence in the majestic, roll top bath which has a dual head system above it and the traditional hand basin and w.c. – but there’s nothing old fashioned about the designer finish.
Up a few steps, the high ceilings which feature throughout the home continue in the second bedroom which is a quiet and comfortable double room ready to move into with garden views, a useful hand basin and charming fireplace.
At the front of the house, the third calm double room was the principal bedroom of this majestic house with restful proportions, a deep, wide bay to bathe it with light and a beautiful, period fireplace. Next door, the nursery is a tranquil retreat, large enough for a single bed and currently used as a private home office.

The Principal Bedroom, En-suite:
Secluded, serene and spanning this substantial property from front to back, at the top of the house the meticulous commitment to great design and quiet relaxation continues in the principal bedroom, where the chic shower room is effectively en-suite but is separate from the main room so family can share as necessary. Light and airy there’s under eave storage and built in wardrobes to fill, and there’s ample space to relax in even with a king-sized bed in situ.

Agent Says:
“This uniquely beautiful home delivers an elegant lifestyle with a restful pace of life where you can enjoy the quiet, friendly and leafy terrace whilst vibrant shops, restaurants, theatres, cinemas and stations are all within walking distance (or a 3-7 min drive)!”

Owner’s Secret:
‘We fell in love with this house as soon as we walked through the front door. It was unloved and neglected back in the 1990s but we have spent over 30 years restoring the house to Victorian elegance with a focus on design and practicality for modern day living. Over the years, we have entertained all year round, both inside and out, from children’s parties to landmark birthdays and anniversaries and even hosted a family wedding reception in the garden. Our children were born here and grew up attending local schools and enjoying the parks and local areas on our doorstep. As they got older, it was an easy walk home from a night out on the seafront and a regular place to stay over for so many of their mates who lived on the outskirts of the city! Rugby Road is a great community to live in – with our street parties, Christmas drinks and events - and our neighbours have certainly become our friends over the years and will remain so. We will say an emotional goodbye to our beloved home but time for us to start a new chapter, not too far away, now that our children have flown the nest. We wish the new owners every happiness in our beautiful house and hope that they will grow to love it as much as we have done.”

Where it is:
Shops: Local on Havelock Road 1 drive, 5 walk, Beaconsfield Rd 2 mins drive, Sainsbury’s 4 by car
Train Station: Preston Park & Brighton Stations 6 mins drive, 8 mins cycle, 25-30 on foot, London Road 3 mins drive, 5 walk
Seafront or Park: Preston and Blakers Parks both 2 mins by car – same zones, sea about 10 by car

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

Ideal for those needing access to the airports and London as a choice of stations are a 6-7 min drive, or 25-30 on foot, Preston Park and Fiveways are favourite locations known for their friendly shops, cafés and small supermarkets. Between family friendly Blakers Park and the expansive leafy acreage and sports facilities of Preston Park -which both host events during our legendary festivals- local schools are good and within easy reach, and the National Park bordered by beaches is just a short drive– so a healthy lifestyle beckons! 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.