Hillmorton Road, Rugby, Warwickshire CV22

Dating from the late 19th century, this handsome Victorian house provides a beautiful family house full of character and was the birthplace of the renowned Great War poet Rupert Brooke in 1887. Rupert Brooke attended Rugby School and was the English poet known for his idealistic war sonnets such as “The Dead” and “The Soldier”. He was known for his boyish good looks, described by W. B. Yeats as ”the handsomest young man in England”.

The accommodation has been comprehensively upgraded and improved by the present owners, including new bathrooms and kitchen with Mandarin Stone tiling, marble and limestone, new boiler with pressurised hot water and heating (including cast-iron radiators), repairs to sash windows, electrics and complete internal and external redecoration.

The property incorporates beautiful period elements including Gothic windows, with ornate Victorian fireplaces, one with a wood-burning stove, elegant cornices, an encaustic Victorian tiled floor in the hall, four lovely reception rooms, polished pine floors, with south-facing bay windows to the sitting room and drawing room. Behind are the dining room and study, cloakroom and bespoke Shaker Workshop fitted kitchen, with integrated appliances and a double larder, an island unit with breakfast bar, drying cupboard housing the boiler and well-fitted utility room. There is a large cellar.

On the first floor are four bedrooms and three refitted bathrooms, including a large family bathroom with a clawfoot free-standing cast-iron bath and bespoke walk-through shower, twin basins in a marble top fitted unit and WC, all with traditional Victorian cast-iron fireplaces. Two other bedrooms have ensuite shower rooms with marble floor and wall tiles and there is an additional cloakroom with WC and basin.

Gardens and grounds

The property has a pretty enclosed front garden with grass and colourful shrubs, and there is a private solid-gated courtyard behind the house, with invaluable parking for four cars and a pergola seating area for al fresco dining, planted with wisteria and vines and an edged gravel sheltered cloister leading from the back hall and utility room, with a useful attached garden store.

The property is within walking distance to the town centre, shops, Rugby School and train station. Rugby is exceptionally well placed for access to all parts of the country with the M1, M6, M69, M40, A5 and A14 all easily accessible. There is an intercity train service to London, and both East Midlands and Birmingham International Airports are within easy reach.

There is a range of state, grammar and private schools to suit most requirements including Bilton Grange Prep School, as well as Rugby School, Princethorpe Public School, Rugby High and Lawrence Sheriff Grammar School in Rugby. This part of Rugby is a lovely enclave and has a strong sense of community with the surrounding neighbours.

Rugby has a good range of shopping facilities, a leisure centre and variety of golf courses nearby. Racing at Warwick, Stratford-upon-Avon and Towcester and sailing and fishing at Draycote Water.