Penns Lane, Sutton Coldfield, B76

There are apartments that offer convenience, and there are apartments that create a genuine sense of escape. This apartment in Hawthornden Court offers very much the best of both worlds: bucolic, cosy and private.

Behind its beautifully maintained communal setting is a remarkably private two-bedroom home with a real penthouse-like atmosphere. Huge windows, two balconies and a triple-aspect lounge and dining room frame mature greenery in nearly every direction, while a striking new kitchen, extensive storage and carefully chosen finishes give the interior a distinctive personality of its own.

The apartment’s orientation and position within the building are central to its appeal. Mature oak trees flank the development, while the principal living areas are not directly overlooked. The result is an atmosphere the owners describe simply as bucolic, cosy and private.

In conversation with the owners:

What first made you fall in love with Hawthornden Court?

“The setting. We arrived and immediately felt as though we could have been somewhere like Wimbledon! The development is surrounded by mature trees, and when you look through the windows you see greenery rather than buildings. You are in Sutton Coldfield and within easy reach of Birmingham, yet the outlook makes you feel as though you could be almost anywhere.”

How would you describe the apartment in three words?

“Bucolic, cosy and private. It feels warm and homely inside, but the windows, balconies and surrounding trees give it an unusually peaceful connection to the outdoors.”

What do visitors notice first?

“Always the windows and the outlook. The lounge and dining room has windows across three of its four walls, so it feels incredibly light and open. People do not expect an apartment to have this amount of natural light, privacy or greenery.”

Which room do you spend the most time in?

“Hands down, the lounge and dining room. It is the heart of the apartment and the room that best captures everything we love about living here. We can sit on the sofa beneath blue skies, watch the evening light reflect across the balcony doors and look directly towards the trees.”

What is your favourite part of an ordinary day here?

“The quiet moments. Sitting with a morning coffee on the balcony, opening the bedroom window while getting ready for work, or watching the sunset reflected in the glass at the end of the day. It feels surprisingly removed from the city, considering how connected the location is.”

What have you improved since moving in?

“Virtually every part of the apartment has been refreshed. We installed the new kitchen, refreshed the bathroom décor and introduced new tiling, replaced the flooring, insulated the loft and introduced Bluetooth-controlled electric heaters alongside the electric hot-water system.”

Which improvement are you most proud of?

“The kitchen. The deep-blue cabinetry creates such a strong contrast against the gold handles, marble-effect worktops and herringbone-style floor. It feels confident and completely different from the kind of neutral kitchen you see in most apartments.”

How practical is the storage?

“The amount of storage is exceptional for an apartment. The kitchen alone has an immense number of cupboards, bedroom two has a fitted wardrobe, and there is further storage within the cloakroom, loft and garage. It has always allowed us to keep the main rooms feeling calm and uncluttered.”

What makes the balconies and outlook so special?

“The privacy. There are mature oak trees flanking the building, and you are not sitting opposite rows of windows. You can take a coffee outside in the morning or read while the sun sets without feeling as though the world is looking back at you.”

How are the communal grounds used?

“They are both beautifully and thoroughly maintained throughout the year and large enough for picnics, walks or for visiting children to play football. They are rarely busy, but when the weather is warm, neighbours sit on their balconies and chat. Everyone in the building is incredibly welcoming.”

The development’s practical elements have also been thoughtfully handled. Designated drying areas are positioned discreetly away from the principal outlooks, while mature hedging softens and screens the garage areas.

What is the best time of day in the apartment?

“It is difficult to choose between morning and sunset. In the morning, fresh air and sunlight come through the bedroom window. Later in the day, the west-facing balcony captures the evening light and the sunset appears across the back of the apartment.”

What do you enjoy most about the local area?

“You have greenery almost immediately, with walks towards New Hall Valley and Plants Brook, but you can also reach Walmley, Wylde Green and Sutton Coldfield with ease. Chester Road station is within walking distance, while the X15 stops almost outside and provides a direct weekday connection towards Birmingham.”

New Hall Valley Country Park extends across approximately 200 acres, with woodland, wetland, grassland, surfaced paths and cycle routes towards Pype Hayes. Chester Road is the nearest railway station, while nearby stops on Penns Lane are served by the X15 route towards Sutton Coldfield and Birmingham.

“We regularly use the local walks, Windowbox Café and Verdo Lounge, while Walmley village has useful everyday shops and its post office. Walmley Cricket and Sports Club and Sutton Rugby Club also add to the strong community feel.”

Walmley Cricket and Sports Club provides cricket and football opportunities for a wide range of ages, alongside social facilities and community events. Verdo Lounge is positioned in Wylde Green, while Windowbox Café is on Birmingham Road.

What will you miss most?

“The illusion that we own an enormous house and garden, while still having the simplicity of apartment living! It feels like our own private enclave. We hear virtually nothing from neighbouring homes because the shared walls are so limited, and the principal bedroom and main living space are positioned away from other apartments.

We will miss the walk towards Sutton and Plants Brook, the trees outside every window, the balconies and the feeling of coming home to somewhere completely calm.”

I cannot wait to show you around! 

TENURE INFORMATION
Tenure: Leasehold
 Lease remaining: Approximately 962 years
 Ground rent: Approximately £40 per annum
 Service charge: Approximately £1,730 per annum, typically payable in two installments.

All tenure and service-charge information should be confirmed by the buyer’s solicitor.