Kirkdale, Upper Sydenham, SE26

Fairytale four double bed, two bath semi-detached house in leafy Upper Sydenham/Forest Hill borderland, close to great schools and stations. Chain free.

Big, bright, beautiful, and dating back to circa 1835, the one-off abode occupies a generous landscaped plot, which is complete with secure gated access and a carriage driveway. Enjoy privacy (your public boundary has a smart 1.8m high wall), fabulous views, an independent garage/workshop with power, a shed, and a tree-house/bike store.

There is free/unrestricted parking on local streets. Or drive through your (electric) gates and set your wheels on the drive or in the garage. There are good bus routes on Kirkdale and Dartmouth Road (including 176 to Tottenham Court Road), or walk circa 10 minutes to Forest Hill or Sydenham stations.

Beyond its incredible visual allure, the charming house has a rich history - it was once home to Sir John Scott Russell (whilst he was working with Isambard Kingdom Brunel).

The property has been comprehensively and sensitively refurbished to an excellent standard throughout. Welcome features include retained architectural detailing, many original timber doors, and reclaimed cast iron radiators. Further, the house has been re-floored with 9" reclaimed boards (from a Victorian hospital in Yorkshire).

Your mature heavily-flowering garden hugs the house on its exposed sides, and is a perfect picture-postcard setting. Treats include mature apple and plum trees, two Japanese cherry blossom trees, a seating area, fire-pit, vegetable garden, and koi fishpond.

Beginning at the bottom of the house: this former basement space has been fully tanked and has a smart new tiled floor. The large main room is a natural bedroom, with direct doored-access onto the garden. Enjoy a sunny southeasterly aspect here. There is provision for a home cinema setup. This floor also hosts a w.c. and a plumbed independent utility room (laundry appliances included in the sale) with stainless steel sink, drying rail, and access to useful understairs storage.

Upstairs to the ground floor - the windowed hall is lovely and light, and T&G looks great to the vaulted ceiling (exposed brickwork above the former ceiling line is noteworthy too). From the front door, first on your left is the property's large (triple-aspect!) sitting room, running over 27 feet by over 13 feet, with a second door as well. Perfect for parties. The beautiful SW-facing bay window gives you pleasingly-framed garden views.

At the top of the hall take a right and you are in the large kitchen/dining room, with Welsh dresser plus wood-burner (a cast iron 'Dovre' model). Exposed chimney breast brickwork is yet another great decision. New yet timeless Shaker-style kitchen units are teamed with oak counters/breakfast bar plus a long open shelf, a double Butler sink (with waste disposal), and ceramic metro-style tiles. Appliance-wise, you have a 100cm Rangemaster double oven with induction hob, integrated dishwasher, and full-height fridge and freezer.

Beyond the kitchen is a handy pantry area and downstairs w.c. Electric underfloor heating here. The basin in the guest loo was reclaimed from a Chemistry lab in Oxford. A side door is another useful access and exit point.

Up to the first floor and you have three double bedrooms. The principal is a double-aspect one of 16 feet by over 13 feet, with built-in shelving and clothes rail. Vistas over the garden and beyond down to Surrey/Kent are a joy.

Next door is a smaller but respectable double of over 9 feet by over 13 feet. Next you have your bathroom with separate shower room next door. Both were completely rebuilt, with underfloor heating beneath handmade Spanish encaustic tiles. A second chemistry lab basin features in the bathroom, while the bathtub was reclaimed from a large private home in Hastings.

Your third and final bedroom is over 12 feet by over 11 feet, with T&G to the walls and a big bank of to-the-ceiling built-in wardrobes/cupboards to the near wall.

Should you wish for even more space/fancy a future project, your attic space (two Velux windows here) could be converted, STPP. The floors at the kitchen end have been reinforced, and steel beams have been fitted in preparation.

Sydenham and Forest Hill have good spots for food and drink. Some of our favourites include The Foresters, Sylvan Post, The Dolphin, Sushi Garden, Journey Cafe, Cobb's Corner Cafe, The Moustache, Bona, Fat Cheeks, Mamma Dough and Gurkha's. East Dulwich's Lordship Lane, Dulwich Village and Crystal Palace's Triangle are also close for more options.

Keeping fit? You are less than 10 minutes from the local swimming pool on Dartmouth Road, two gyms, and two yoga studios. For golf, you have the Dulwich (SE21) and Aquarius (SE22) courses locally.

For green space, you are surrounded! Check out Sydenham Hill Wood, Crystal Palace Park, Horniman Gardens, Sydenham Wells Park, Mayow Park and Dulwich Park. Further afield - but still easily reached - are Beckenham Place Park and Peckham Rye Park.