GUIDE PRICE: £1,250,000--£1,350,000.

ADDITIONAL GRANNY ANNEXE.

LARGE REAR GARDEN.

INTERNAL VIEWINGS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST.

Sunlight streams through this sociable four bedroom house set in beautiful, landscaped gardens with a swimming pool and a stylish, one bedroom annexe with a south facing terrace which provides an income as a B&B - and there’s plentiful off street parking with an electric charging point. In an exclusive area 10 minutes from the city centre with good schools both primary and senior within a 3-5 minute radius, the sports facilities and gym of Withdean Stadium are at the end of the road, and it is ideal for rapid or regular access to Gatwick or London as a leafy pathway takes you to Preston Park Station in about 12 minutes on foot. Built in 1920 and extended and improved in 2012 to the high specification of its designer owner, this inviting family home has an astonishing 263.2m2 (2833 sq. ft.) of bright and spacious rooms to enjoy and has a local store, café and pharmacy within a 4 minute walk.

A fabulous family home with an easy flow and ample, organised storage in every room the house has retained its period charm with wood burning stoves in the entrance/dining hall, the family room/study and reception, where glazed doors bring in stunning views over the valley and open to a dining terrace which wraps from east to south and steps down to a big, level lawn for play, to the lit pool area and the secret vegetable/fruit patch with a timber cabin. The custom made kitchen is expertly planned with ample space for a large family table and also leads to the garden, there is a ground floor cloakroom for guests and a utility room with access to the gardens at the front and back so beach towels can go straight into the machine. On the first floor, three tranquil double bedrooms are generous sizes with built in wardrobes and share a luxury bathroom and the design led principal bedroom has restful views, and a chic ensuite shower room. With its own entrance from the front, although there is a (covered) door to the main house, the bright and cheerful Annexe has an open plan living room with French doors to a terrace, a double bedroom and contemporary shower room, and it’s ideal for inter-generational living, working from home or a B&B.

Between Gatton, Hove and Preston Parks, each with playgrounds, and with swift access to the sea, water sports and countryside of the National Park, Withdean has something for everyone of any age to experience. Well-connected with bus routes to give older children independence it is close to (but out of hearing of) both London Road which takes you into the heart of the city and its beaches or to the A23/A27 and Amex Stadium, as well as to Dyke Road Avenue which will take you to Devil’s Dyke or Brighton Station all in minutes.

Style: Detached Brighton Villa 1920, extended and improved 2012
Type: 4 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms + cloakroom, entrance/dining hall, family room/study, reception, custom made kitchen diner, utility
Location: Withdean
Area: 2833 sq.ft.
Outside: East garden open to south at the back and large garden at the front.
Parking: Off street parking for several cars, electric car charger, free on street
Council Tax Band: G

Introduction:
Soaring above Preston Valley with a glorious, open vista at the back and views to Withdean Nature Reserve at the front, this hidden gem is a sun-lit delight. Set privately back from the quiet street and its prosperous neighbours, this understated house is far bigger than it appears, offering an astonishing 263.2m2 (2833 sq. ft.) of spacious rooms to explore, and it impresses from a front garden larger than some whole gardens this close to the city centre even though there is unusually big off street parking to the glorious, landscaped grounds at the back.

The Entrance/Dining Hall
Inside, this dream home has a skilled balance of style, practicality and comfort which begins in a bright entrance hall with a broad west bay which has 4.98m x 4.8m (16’4 x 15’9) to introduce you to the beautiful proportions to enjoy in each and every room. Used as a traditional dining hall where guests can enjoy garden views and a wood burning stove in the original fireplace. Floorboards underfoot ensure a fuss free flow to the guest cloakroom, family room/study or to the kitchen diner.

The Family Room/Study
Bright and cheerful of dual aspect, this versatile space has 5.82m x 3.70m (19’1 x 12’2) in which to work, rest or play. Lined with handmade storage, there’s a broad west bay where you can relax in the sunshine when work is done, there’s a cast iron Firefox stove in a period fire surround and Cole & Son book wallpaper conceals the covered door which links to the annexe if you wanted access from the house.

The Kitchen Diner and Utility
Seemingly simple and easy to live in, the kitchen diner delivers the seamless efficiency and flowing space only skilled design can deliver. Spanning 7.20m x 4.78m (23’7 x 15’8) it has a high end finish, perfect for parties but also for every day. There’s space for a big table by the far wall, which is almost all glass to frame the terrace, garden and sweeping vista, and to the right a ‘wall’ slides along to reveal the reception. At the heart of the ground floor, so easy to reach from every room including the bedrooms, the kitchen area flows around a sociable central island, topped with steel with an inset sink and ½ bowl and integrated dishwasher.

Tucked safely away from the in/out movement, twin Neff ovens are at eye level, a 6 ring gas hob is beneath a hood and there are four levels of lighting with dimmer switches for ambience. Solid wood surfaces are family friendly and to one side, tall floor to ceiling storage has designated space for an American style fridge freezer and a microwave, and a door leads to a utility/boot room which has access to both the front and back garden for beach towels and swimsuits.

The Reception
All about celebrating friends and family, this understated, L shaped space stretches its wings across a quietly impressive 5.56m x 3.58m (18’3 x 11’9) with fantastic views over the leafy valley so guests can relax in rare seclusion. Two sets of glazed, sliding doors open to the wrap around dining terrace and garden during summer whilst in winter, a large Firefox multi fuel stove provides warmth as well as character. Three walls of bookshelves and cupboards provide surprisingly unobtrusive floor to ceiling storage and a south window offers an inspiring viewpoint.

The Gardens
One of the current owner’s specialities is garden design, so this uniquely beautiful retreat makes the most of its dramatic hilltop setting. Child and pet secure from the street, and one of the largest gardens on this road, it is made private by mature planting for all year interest. A lit terrace wraps around the back of the house from east to south with ample space to zone, and a pond to one side has a water feature.

Lit central or southern steps lead to a large level lawn for play surrounded by hedging and exotic planting, and on the broad lower level, the swimming pool has a broad paved surround ideal for entertaining – and bathing in the Sussex sunshine.

Tucked away to one side, a pond attracts pollinators to the secret garden where raised beds provide organic fruit and vegetables for the table and a large timber cabin is used as a potting shed/store although with plenty of windows it could offer other options.

Three Family Bedrooms and Luxury Bathroom
Returning inside, up a wide staircase beneath a vaulted rooflight, the bright landing has a deep airing cupboard. At the front of the house, the first of the double bedrooms is of dual aspect so it is light and airy, and it has expansive storage as well as attic access. To the south, the second, peaceful double room has restful open views over a sea of gardens, and also has plentiful wardrobe space with eaves behind. On the other side of the landing, the family bathroom is large enough for both a bath with a shower wand and a separate walk in shower with a rainfall head, and the luxury finish includes a warming rail for towels. Next door, the third family/guest room is quiet and comfortable with soothing decoration, twin Velux in the roofline and a built in wardrobe.

The Principal Bedroom Suite
At the back, the principal bedroom is all about relaxing in a beautiful setting. A bank of windows almost fills the east wall to frame a magnificent, verdant vista which you can enjoy even from the bed and the restful, stylish decoration keeps the focus firmly on that sweeping view. Spanning a generous 5.94m x 5.75 (19’6 x 18’10) skilful design has two big wardrobes out of sight of the main room, and opposite the chic, en-suite shower room which has twin hand basins for convenience.

The Annexe
With its own, lit entrance from the front, although there is a (covered) door to the main house, the bright and cheerful annexe has a spacious open plan living room of 4.73m x 3.54m (15’6 x 11’7) with French doors to a terrace, a private double bedroom of 5.16m x 3.24m (16’11 x 10’8) and a contemporary shower room, and it’s ideal for inter-generational living, working from home or a B&B.

Agent’s Thoughts:
“With a subtle design led interior and fabulous gardens this stunning home is in an exclusive location. Within a 5 minute radius of schools, parks, shops and a station to London, this exclusive property is also unusually private.”

Owner’s secret:
“Beautifully light, airy and sociable in the summer, during winter our home transforms into a warm, private haven. The easy flow of the ground floor to the garden is perfect for entertaining and personal time when everyone else has gone- and we love lying in bed on Sunday mornings where all you can see is the green of the trees and open sky above. If you have children, it is in a good school catchment area, and it’s easy to meet local families either at the school gate or in the local parks. If you are a couple, the Sports complex is very friendly with a gym and tennis courts and the woods have a lovely community of dog walkers and joggers. The area is safe and quiet with considerate neighbours who have become friends, and it is also close to bus routes, so older children or visitors have a degree of independence. Convenient for nights out either locally, in Brighton, Hove or the West End, as Preston Park Station has direct trains to all of them, we shall miss our sunny home and garden, (and easy parking!) but hope that you will love it as much as we have.”

Where it is:
Shops: Local on Eldred Avenue 2 minutes by car, about 6 on foot, Local Sainsbury’s 4 mins drive
Station: Preston Park 4 mins by car, 10-12 along footpath, Brighton or Hove Stations about 15
Seafront or Park: Withdean, Gatton and Preston Park all under 5 minutes, Seafront 15
Closest schools:
Primary: Westdene, St Bernadette’s RC, Windlesham, Bilingual, Lancing Prep
Secondary: Patcham High
Sixth Form: BHASVIC, Varndean, MET, BIM
Private: Brighton College, Brighton & Hove High, Lancing, Roedean

Nicknamed Brighton’s Hollywood Hills, Withdean is an exclusive area of the city between the sea and the South Downs National Park. Although the thriving city centre’s just minutes away, this prestigious area is quiet with plenty of amenities nearby, local schools are good and there’s access to some of the best private schools in the country too, including Brighton College. Withdean Sports Stadium has a range of leisure facilities including a gym, tennis courts and athletic track, and by it, Withdean Woods Nature Reserve has its own community of joggers and dog walkers. Hove & Preston Parks are all a short drive each with playgrounds and cafés full of local parents, and Gatton Park, which is a 10 minute walk, (3 mins by car) is a well-kept neighbourhood secret! For those who need swift access to Gatwick or London, Brighton, Preston Park and Hove Stations are all easy to reach by foot, bus or cab and access to the A23/ A27 is quick.

Floorplans

4 bedroom detached house for sale