Grange Court Road, Henleaze, Bristol, BS9

The Voke family were renowned builders celebrated in the area for their quality, character, and attention to detail. Voke-designed homes are prominent in Henleaze. Often found on desirable roads within North Bristol, they show distinctive features such as half-beamed and stuccoed elevations, asymmetrical gable roofs, and inglenook fireplaces. The Laurels is arguably Voke’s most exuberant expression of this style, being built as his own home, and with fine internal beams, leaded windows, and herringbone flooring.

Henleaze remains one of Bristol’s most desirable suburbs as it offers so much in terms of family life. With a thriving High Street full of independent shops, cafés, restaurants, and pubs, it retains a real sense of community, bolstered by a wide array of societies, activities, and events. The area enjoys a range of great schools, both state and independent, as well as ready links to both the city centre and commuter routes out of Bristol.

The Laurels has been sympathetically improved and very well cared for over the years, yet retains a great deal of its original character and charm.

A front porch, with Tudor-style render and timber detail, provides entry into an impressive central hallway. An oak herringbone floor gives a warmth to the space, whilst a magnificent return staircase rises to the upper floor, with attractive banister, panelling, and beam detailing to the ceiling. To the right of the hall is an impressively sized, triple aspect reception room, with bay window overlooking the front gardens, inglenook fireplace with flanking windows, beamed ceiling, and herringbone flooring under carpet. The second reception room is also of good size with windows to the front, decorative fireplace with flanking windows and feature wooden beam above, herringbone floor under carpet, feature Renaissance-style plasterwork to the ceiling, and arch window to the rear that now overlooks the orangery.

The triple aspect open plan kitchen and living space is to the rear of the property, with doors out on to the terrace and window overlooking the garden. Comprehensively fitted with a range of bespoke oak units topped with granite worktop, as well as a kitchen island, this is a space for both entertaining and everyday family life.

A more recent addition by the current owner is the large orangery that spans the rear of the house. With heating, aircon and ceiling blinds it certainly adds a less formal family- orientated element of living space to the house. A cloakroom is discreetly tucked away off the main hall.

Upstairs the house has the hallmarks of substantial homes built at that time, with four attractively proportioned bedrooms accessed from a landing with a run of feature windows. The principal bedroom has window to the front, built in wardrobe and a substantial en suite with bath, basin, WC, and separate shower. The remaining three bedrooms are all comfortable double rooms, two to the front of the property and one to the rear, and are served by a family bathroom with WC, basin, and bath. If a fifth bedroom or guest room is required, the annexe over the garage provides flexibility.

The plot extends to one fifth of an acre which is sizeable for Henleaze. The gardens feel manageable and appropriate for the house. The garden to the front feels incredibly private, being set behind a high laurel hedge, whilst the house is comfortably set back from the road. An attractive flagstone path and raised, walled beds lead to the front door. To the side the hedge gives way to a high rendered wall, fitted with electric gates that slide open to provide access to the cobbled parking area and garage. To the rear of the house, a short run of steps leads on to a large terrace laid to attractive flagstone. Two further steps down lead on to a level area laid mostly to lawn, together with established flower, shrub and tree borders, set in front of timber boundary fences.

The garage and parking area is separated and gated from the garden. The drive provides parking for several cars and a useful utility space. The garage has two up and over electric doors and is a generous size. A gas fired combination boiler provides heating and hot water, and with its own plumbing and drainage, the garage space lends itself to a number of uses. A staircase accessed through a door to the side of the main garage doors leads up to a spacious room set into the eves which has windows to the front and side aspects, and a corner bathroom with WC and wash basin. This space could be a guest room, home office, fifth bedroom, or gym space.

With such space, period features and location, The Laurels offers a fine prospect as a family home; thus an early viewing is highly recommended.