Lansdowne Road, Bedford, MK40

SUBSTANTIAL, REFURBISHED VICTORIAN VILLA IN ONE OF BEDFORD’S BEST STREETS

An impressive, energy-efficient, 6-bedroom, 3-storey home built in 1884 in leafy Lansdowne Road, a sought-after street in the conservation area of the historic county market town of Bedford, recently lauded in the Sunday Times ‘Best Places to Live Guide.’ With over 3500 sq. ft. of versatile, natural light-filled space, newly double-glazed sash windows, an easy-to-maintain garden and driveway parking for two cars, this superb Victorian family home stands protected by its attached neighbours within walking distance of every amenity and facility, including great schools and the railway station.

Leave your car on the drive and within minutes be reading the paper on the train to London, arriving in about 40 minutes. Children can walk to any of the world-renowned Harpur Trust private schools and the nursery and pre-prep Polam School just at the end of the road, as well as to the outstanding Bedford Free School and the catchment Livingston Primary, recently rated by Ofsted as ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ in all areas.

Surgery, shops, supermarkets, gyms and every sporting facility imaginable, including Bedford Blues Rugby Club, are within walking distance, along with cinema pubs, theatres, music venues and restaurants. Around the corner, just 75 yards from your front door is a pocket park, surrounded by chestnut trees, once the site of the similarly aged home of one of the founders of the internationally renowned Christie’s of London, now a peaceful green space, with tennis courts and children’s play area.

Your new home and other fine houses in the area were the vision of Joshua Hawkins, who later became Mayor of Bedford. He recognised the need of wealthy individuals for large homes near the station. He was also the driving force behind the development alongside Bedford’s Great Ouse of one of the finest river embankments in the Country, and of the beautiful Bedford Park - such fantastic facilities for Bedford’s families, and they’re all just a stroll away from your front door. It’s little wonder that this is the first opportunity for another family to live here since the house was completely renovated in 2010, following its long spell as part of distinguished educational establishments.

MORE ABOUT THE PROPERTY 

Take a moment to appreciate the handsome looks of your new home, set back from the tree-lined street, a huge palm making quite a statement in its walled drive, its red brick, stone string courses and gable timber detail mirroring its neighbours, a pretty hydrangea in front of the bay window, a young rose climbing towards its slate roof.

Step through the chequered, quarry-tiled porch, original front door and the long, arched, entrance hall, into the rather grand living space, stretching from the bay at the front to the French doors at the back, tall skirtings at your feet, intricately-corniced ceiling high above your head, with not one but three ceiling roses, and it’s clear that your new home was built to impress.

Yet you can also see from its very capaciousness how perfect it would have been for its reimagining as part of Margaret Stansfeld’s Bedford Physical Training College for female students, known as “Stanny’s Stus.”, which began life in 1903 from No. 37, before expanding along Lansdowne Road and forming the foundations for professional women’s sports, before becoming the De Montfort University campus.

Today, dine at one end and slump on the sofa in front of a roaring log fire at the other. Breakfast in the hub of the home at the chunky granite breakfast bar, cook at one end and relax at the other with coffee, a glass of iced water from the fridge/freezer, or a bottle of white from the wine cooler, red from the cellar. And in both, huge, natural light-filled living spaces, throw open the French doors in summertime to your easy-to-maintain outdoor space, with its lovely Victorian wall, neighbouring silver birch and borders of hyacinth, honeysuckle and hydrangea, vying for attention with a young acer and a pretty rose.

And as the sun goes down, climb the beautiful, panelled staircase in the centre of your home to two floors of fabulous bedrooms and stylish bathrooms, one with a ‘Jacuzzi’ bath, another with a smart loo that you might never have thought existed. Abundant space to come together and entertain downstairs, while guests can stay over and all the family have their own space upstairs. Many young people have been inspired in your new home throughout its history. What a family life here now to look forward to.