College Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2

Set in Kemptown Village, this sky-blue Victorian villa is just a short walk from the seafront, local cafés and independent shops. The house has been a family home for more than 20 years and has a really good sense of space, with over 3,000 sq ft arranged across four floors.

There’s a lot to the house, from the original Victorian features and generous reception rooms to the large garden, garage and modern kitchen at the back. It’s the kind of property that works well for a family, with plenty of room to spread out without losing the feeling of a home.

The original features have been kept throughout, including high decorative ceilings, marble fireplaces and large bay windows. These sit comfortably alongside some more contemporary additions, with double-glazed windows throughout and solar panels helping to improve the home's energy efficiency. The lower ground floor is particularly modern, where the kitchen and dining space has become the main hub of the house.

The kitchen is a large, light-filled room with a poured-resin floor, full-height timber cabinetry and a substantial central island with a quartz worktop and integrated induction hob. There is space for a good-sized dining table, while the island provides somewhere to sit for breakfast or a quick coffee. Full-height glazing looks out onto the garden and opens onto the slate terrace, with a spiral staircase leading up into the garden.

There is also a separate utility room and WC, along with a useful storeroom and wine cellar.

On the ground floor, two reception rooms sit either side of the central hallway. Both have generous proportions, high ceilings and wide bay windows, with the original plasterwork still in place.

The main sitting room has a carved marble fireplace and plenty of natural light. The second room is currently used more flexibly and could work as a family room, study, playroom or additional sitting room depending on what is needed.

The rear extension adds a boot room, extra storage and a bathroom, as well as direct access to the garden. There is also a route through to the back of the garage, which is useful for bikes, garden equipment and day-to-day storage.

The garden is one of the things that really sets the house apart. The slate terrace outside the kitchen provides an easy space for eating outside, while beyond this there is a good-sized lawn surrounded by mature trees, shrubs and planting.

Towards the end of the garden are raised beds and a productive kitchen garden, along with a shed and gravelled seating area. It feels private and established, and you would be hard pushed to guess that you are so close to the centre of Brighton.

The garden is secure for children and pets and also has rear access to the garage, which has an EV charger. Having a garage, a garden of this size and parking outside the house is a particularly useful combination in Kemptown.

The first floor has three double bedrooms. The principal bedroom overlooks the garden and has high ceilings and original pine floorboards, which have been restored and sanded to bring back the warmth of the timber.

Another bedroom is currently being used as a study and faces west, while the third bedroom could be used for a child, guest room or dressing room. A shower room serves this floor.

There are three further double bedrooms on the top floor, along with a family bathroom. These rooms give the house plenty of flexibility, whether they are needed for children, guests, home working or simply extra space.

The location is a big part of the appeal. Kemptown Village has plenty of independent cafés, bakeries, shops and restaurants, while the seafront is only a short walk away. Queen’s Park and Brighton Marina are also close by, and the South Downs are within easy reach when you want to get out of the city.

Brighton College is nearby, with St Luke’s and Varndean schools also within easy reach. Brighton Station can be reached on foot or by a short taxi journey, while the A23 provides a straightforward route towards Gatwick and London.

There is a lot to like here. The house has the proportions and character you would expect from a Victorian villa, but also the practical spaces that make a difference to everyday family life. Add in the garden, garage, parking, double glazing, solar panels and location, and it makes for a very well-rounded home in one of Brighton’s most popular neighbourhoods.