Frederick Gardens, Brighton, East Sussex

Set in the heart of Brighton’s vibrant North Laine, this characterful two-bedroom Victorian cottage has been lovingly updated by its current owners. Newer - often colourful - interventions have been added alongside retained period features, including timber fire surrounds and a handsome staircase. The cottage occupies a wonderful position on a quiet street just a 13-minute walk from the iconic Brighton seafront. The city’s rail station is five minutes away, with regular services to London in approximately one hour.

Setting the Scene

This cottage is nestled in a secret ‘twitten’ (an old Sussex word meaning a narrow street) within a conservation area in Brighton’s North Laine. Once a key industrial and agricultural area in the city, today it is a thriving district full of eclectic independent shops and colourful cafés.

Frederick Gardens is a peaceful street that earned its name from the market garden that was positioned close to the house in years gone by. The garden was used to supply Regency-era Brighton with fresh produce, and the Regent Iron and Brass foundry also relocated to the area in 1823.

The Grand Tour

At the front of the home, a walled garden filled with greenery leads to a sky-blue door, a pleasing contrast to its bright white exterior and black-framed windows.

Entry is to an open-plan sitting and dining room, with gently curved bowed windows that flood the room with light. Herringbone-laid parquet flooring runs underfoot, and an original fireplace is decorated with pretty red tiles.

The sitting room flows effortlessly through to the dining area, where glass-panelled doors painted in a sage green hue unfold onto the patio garden. Colour has been used sparingly but confidently throughout the house; the effect is a set of spaces that are at once subtle and uplifting.

A delightful country-style kitchen sits behind the dining room, with wooden worktops and shelving, a built-in oven and a Victorian-style sink with gold fittings. Appliances include a stainless steel gas hob and oven.

The ground-floor plan is completed by a shower room with crisp white floor tiles.

Painted wooden stairs wind up to the first floor, with clever storage space underneath. The first floor is home to two bright double bedrooms, one of which has access to a private rooftop terrace. Both have panelled walls, one of which is painted a cheery butter yellow.

The Great Outdoors

At the front of the house is a sweet front garden contained by a low white-painted wall. Cleverly positioned shrubbery provides privacy from the street.

To the rear of the house is  a private walled garden with built-in wooden bench. This serene spot provides a calm oasis just minutes away from the bustle of the lanes.

A bright terrace sits on the first floor - the perfect spot for a morning coffee overlooking the rooftops.

Out and About

The cottage is perfectly positioned for exploring the delights of the North Laine, a vibrant bohemian quarter that forms an important part of the city’s history and identity. There is an excellent choice of drinking and eating establishments in the area, including the excellent The Pond pub at the end of the street, renowned for its cosy atmosphere and delectable bao buns. For coffee, head to The Botanist Coffee Co., which is nestled just behind the pub.

Ten Green Bottles wine bar has a wonderful selection of wines, plus carefully selected cheese and charcuterie boards. Italian restaurant Fatto a Mano is another local favourite, just minutes away from the cottage.

For shopping, the appropriately named Snoopers Paradise is a must-visit antiques shop and indoor flea market, and the North Laines Bazaar is another excellent place to peruse the wares of local businesses.

The cottage is also well-located for excursions outside of the city. A short drive out of the centre of town leads to the South Downs with its abundance of walks across the undulating landscape: a favoured spot is Devil’s Dyke, the elevated position of which provides exceptional views over the English countryside.

Brighton rail station is just a five-minute walk from the house, and runs regular services to and from London Victoria, London Bridge and Blackfriars, up to ten an hour in total, with a journey time of just over an hour. Gatwick airport is a 30-minute journey.

The city is also excellently situated for road transport: the M23 leads directly to the M25, while the A27 connects to most of the south-eastern coastline, from Hastings to Portsmouth.

Tenure: Freehold
Council Tax Band: C