York Villas, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1

There is something rather lovely about a period house with room to breathe, a proper south-facing garden and the city on its doorstep.

This semi-detached villa on York Villas brings all three together, with generous proportions, lovely natural light and a few unexpected details that make it memorable.

The sitting room is a particularly inviting space. A broad bay window brings in the light, while high ceilings, decorative cornicing and a feature fireplace give it the proportions and character that make these houses so appealing. Wooden floors, books and colour lend it a relaxed feel. It is easy to imagine settling in here.

The dining room opens directly onto the garden, allowing lunches to drift outside when the weather permits. Double doors connect it to the sitting room, giving the two spaces a sociable flow, while a separate office provides somewhere to work or retreat. Off the hallway, a red telephone-box door adds a little humour. An unexpected detail and rather fitting for a home in Brighton.

The kitchen has real warmth. With neutral cabinetry, exposed ceiling beams and open shelving sit alongside stainless-steel worktops, giving it a practical, lived-in charm. There is room for a breakfast table at the garden end, where the light draws you through the space. A lovely spot for coffee with the door open on a summer morning.

Upstairs on the first floor, the rooms offer flexibility as family life changes, with space for bedrooms and working from home, alongside a family bathroom and separate W.C. A further bedroom/studio occupies the top floor, providing some distance from the activity below.

A distinctive turret crowns the property, adding further character and personality to its exterior, while internally acting as a light well that draws natural light down through the house.

For me, the garden is a real part of the appeal. Generous in size and facing south, it has a wonderfully established feel, with mature planting, climbing greenery and sections of flint walling. A terrace sits beside the lawn, with a raised deck at the far end offering another place to escape. Somewhere to eat with friends, let children play or spend an afternoon doing very little.

York Villas makes everyday life easy. The Canopy for coffee and brunch, Ricci’s Deli for lunch and The Cow for a Sunday roast are all close by. Seven Dials and Preston Circus offer plenty more to explore, while Brighton Station is just around the corner, particularly useful for those whose week takes them to London.

A house with character, space and the opportunity to make it your own, in a part of Brighton where so much is close at hand.