Douglas Crescent, Leyland, Lancashire, PR26

The name Leyland originally derives from the old English Laegeland, meaning 'The Unploughed Land' but my word, how things have changed in the intervening years. For example its listing in the Doomesday Book completely fails to mention the possibility of a future heavy truck industry but it is this for which the town became best known and its behemoths continue to pound the tarmac around the world to this day, albeit less frequently than during its heyday. But even as the once seemingly indestructible BL continues its decline, Leyland's history remains in the shape of its rich and varied architectural heritage. Of greater importance to us however, is what is it like to live here? Well, in spite of its reputation as a centre of industry the first impression is one of greenery and open spaces. Yes, the industry is still there but never intrusive and more than offset by the wide roads and largely low-rise building meaning you never feel hemmed in, especially as this home is so close to open countryside.

This is the middle home in a terrace of three, a part of a larger estate that has only comparatively recently been completed. To the front of the home are two designated parking spots beside a lawn edged by shrubbery and where a young sapling will eventually provide shade and somewhere for birds to roost as they dirty your car.

Above the semi glazed composite front door is a canopy style cover, offering some degree of protection from the rain for the poor unfortunate having to unload the weekly shop, though hopefully it is insufficient to make political canvassers feel welcome. Stepping through the door into the inner hall with its attractive laminate flooring, on our immediate right is the door into the downstairs cloakroom where we find the expected duo of a wall mounted hand basin and lavatory.
A further door opens straight into the lounge where the staircase rises on our right, leaving the rest of the room as a large and open space almost 15 feet in length. This is kept bright and cheerful thanks to the size of the forward facing window and has the dimensions necessary to not look silly when asked to house some of the vast settees and other furniture that are so popular today.

Another door to the rear takes us through into the kitchen/diner, two words that when seen together fill me with dread. This is purely because examples of these are rarely big enough to work properly and result in either an impractical kitchen or a dining room scarcely worthy of the name but happily, this is not the case here. Admittedly, if you have a penchant for lavish dinner parties you may struggle a little but for the numbers likely to be in residence, fitting a suitable suite of table and chairs is easily possible. The kitchen however, is another matter appearing perfectly suited to a far larger home and lavishly equipped. Fitted units line three walls in a deep 'U' formation where all the necessary equipment falls readily to the chef's hands while leaving plenty of central space to move around. This is somewhere that could be worked by several people simultaneously, without there being friction between them which in a family home, can only be a good thing.

The rear wall of the dining section is made up of a large set of patio doors which, being fully glazed contribute greatly to the amount of natural light which the room enjoys. Stepping through these doors we come into the conservatory which is made to feel far more substantial than usual by having one side wall and the gable end completely constructed of brick. This not only gives additional privacy but the solid walls minimise heat loss, extending the room's use into the winter months before any extra heating becomes necessary. The remaining long wall is entirely of glass and includes another pair of patio doors which open (unsurprisingly) onto a paved patio area. Beyond this there is a path which leads past the lawn to the rear access gate, beside which sits a useful and well maintained garden shed for all the summer furniture, BBQs, lawn mowers and what have you. High fences around the perimeter ensure an unexpected level of privacy for this type of home, making it a really useable garden for children to play and adults to relax. The games are similar, only the rules differ slightly.

Returning indoors and climbing the stairs brings us face to face with the bathroom door. There is little to say about the bathroom other than to mention the very attractive herringbone pattern flooring which adds a touch of class. Beyond that it is a room, with a bath, and a hand basin, and a lavatory. It does what it says on the tin, rather like the paint for which Leyland was once famous.
Adjacent to the bathroom and also overlooking the rear garden is the first of the bedrooms, a comfortable double room with space for a variety of free standing furniture to accompany a double bed. The current owner's choice for this room is to use it as a dressing room, where its size makes it into a walk-wardrobe of Olympic proportions but perhaps the makeup of your family would prevent such an indulgence as you really need the bedroom however much you enjoy dressing up.

Moving to the front of the home we must address the elephant in the room or more precisely, the room where there is no space for an elephant. Or even a Shetland pony... Like so many three bedroom homes, this smallest room is exactly that; small. But as a single room it is fine and in its present incarnation as a home office it excels so it is all down to what you need from your home.
Finally we come to the principal bedroom which, sharing its dimensions with the other double offers more than enough space for whatever furniture you need. To cement its position as the most important room in the house it also has the benefit of an en-suite, this example being more spacious than most and containing a pedestal hand basin, lavatory and walk in shower cubicle which more than compensates for the lack of a shower in the family bathroom.

Summing up

All in all this home represents an excellent opportunity for any young family or upwardly mobile professional who wants a home with the convenience of having nothing that needs changing before moving in. It is in impeccable condition and wants for nothing so there is only question that remains, is it in the right location? If it is where you need to be, the rest is academic. The home is what you need, and where you need it so don't wait around, give us a call because real chances don't come along too often.