House For Sale £650,000
Shaftesbury Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1

GUIDE PRICE : £650,000 - £700,000.

INTERNAL VIEWINGS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST.

A quiet haven in a great location, this four bedroom house with a spacious, sunny garden is tucked away in a convenient area popular with professionals, families and investors as it is within walking distance of both an outstanding primary and junior school and the playgrounds and cafés of The Level and Preston Park, with London Road Station (for the universities) around the corner and Brighton Station’s direct trains to the airport and London five minutes by cab, or 15 on foot. Inside, the sun-lit interior blends period grace with subtle luxury which includes energy efficient windows throughout and underfloor heating both on the ground floor and in the fabulous bathroom. With an easy sociable flow, the double depth reception opens to the garden and a streamlined, eat in kitchen also leads out to a rare, southwest facing suntrap, ideal for entertaining. Upstairs, all four bedrooms are bright, inviting doubles which are ready to move into. Once in this tree-lined street it is hard to believe it is at the beating heart of the vibrant London Road /Preston Circus shopping district, its eclectic mix of exotic street food from around the globe, independent boutiques, fresh produce and famous cinema a magnet for locals, and the world famous restaurants and bars of the North Laine are also just a stroll.

Style Victorian terraced house
Type 4 double bedrooms, 1 bathroom, double depth reception, eat in kitchen
Area Preston Circus
Floor Area 1209 sq.ft.
Outside Space Southwest garden
Parking Permit Zone J
Council Tax Band: D

Why you’ll like it:
Far quieter than its fashionable location may suggest, this tree-lined terrace of historic properties has a real sense of community as once discovered, people tend to stay. All improvements have been unfailingly sympathetic, and begin with the timber framed double glazed windows at the front. Inside the inviting hallway sets the sensitive, classic tone of the interior, painted in the historic hues of Farrow & Ball with wood underfoot to give guests, children and pets free reign to roam.

Full of sunshine, two rooms have become one on this level to create an elegant living dining room with a broad bay window at the front and a stable door at the back to bring the outside in. All about enjoying friends and family with ample space for sofas and a large dining table, guests can relax in quiet seclusion and enjoy the graceful proportions and period style fireplace which has custom made shelving and cupboards to each side.

Practical for every day but also great for parties, past plentiful under stair storage the kitchen is a classic which won’t date, and the layout flows well with everything to hand from the fabulous Stoves multi fuel range which could stay, subject to circumstance. Lined with windows it is bright and cheerful with space for a breakfast bar for morning coffee and informal meals. A dishwasher is integrated for you, there is plumbing in place for a washing machine and there is plenty of space for a family sized fridge freezer.

Outside, the garden is a rare, southwest facing sun trap made child and pet secure by walls and painted fencing. Skilfully designed for ease of maintenance, it is nevertheless a treat for the senses with raised beds planted with clematis, honeysuckle and roses, and lighting and water are also provided.

Returning inside, at the top of the stairs the light and airy bathroom is a beauty with a designer finish. There is shower above the contemporary bath at one end and warming rail at the other, and there is sleek, built in storage.

On the first floor, the first of the double bedrooms has plenty of character with a fitted wardrobe by a period fireplace, and looking over the garden, it is currently used as a comfortable home office. Spanning the whole of the front of the house, the principal bedroom is a dream come true with a bay framing the broad sweep of the leafy street, so you don’t feel hemmed in despite the amazing, central location. With calm decoration and the restful proportions only period properties can deliver, it is a welcoming refuge with a wardrobe built in but there is plenty of space for more – even with a king sized bed in situ.

Up on the top floor, where a picture window on the stairs frames gardens by day and a glittering cityscape at night, two more serene family bedrooms have plenty of character of their own, and each are big, bright doubles ready for you to enjoy.

Agent’s Thoughts:
“This is a great area full of professionals and families with an unpretentious vibe where you are never far from fresh coffee and a croissant -or a bistro pub. Tucked away from tourists the Level, which hosts events in the arts festivals, fashionable open air market and legendary North Laine are a short walk, the sports facilities and fun runs of Preston Park is a ten minute stroll, or a few mins by car and local buses take you straight into or out of the city.”

Owner’s Secret:
“Coming from London, the first draw of this house was its proximity to both the sea and the countryside with a London Road Station a five minute walk and Brighton under 15 making the commute easy. Then we fell for the big, bright rooms, easy flow and a sunny garden large and flat enough for entertaining. It was only really after the move that we discovered how easy family life can be with The Downs Infant and Junior Schools (Ofsted outstanding) within walking distance, The Level’s playground, paddling pool and skate park around the corner and Preston Park’s playground, running community and Saturday football clubs just a short drive (and in the same permit zone!). We have loved being able to stroll to London Road for fresh local produce – and for nights out in the North Laine or at the fabulous Duke of York’s Cinema as a couple- and have often met friends at the quieter cafés at Fiveways for breakfast on Sundays. With lots of local buses, we were not always dependant on a car and the street is surprisingly quiet with a lovely community.”

Where it is
Shops: London Road & North Laine 3 mins walk
Station: London Road 5 mins walk, Brighton under 15
Seafront or Park: The Level 3 mins walk, Preston Park 7 by car, seafront 10 min drive
Closest Schools:
Primary: St Bartholomew’s C of E, The Downs Infant School, The Downs Junior School
Secondary: Varndean and Dorothy Stringer
Sixth Form: Varndean 6th Form, BHASVIC, Newman 6th Form College
Private: Brighton College, Brighton Girls, Waldorf, Roedean

In a sought after location with friendly local amenities including good schools and within walking distance of great shopping, restaurants, and bars, this stylish house offers easy access to the Brighton lifestyle – and to train stations if you commute. Convenient for the art colleges and universities it is well served for parks and gardens which provide cool green spaces and host events in our famous city festivals. Close to the commercial districts and international cultural heart of the city, the whole of Brighton and Hove is easy to reach on foot, by bus, rental bike or by car. The London Road takes you to the sea or to the A23/ A27 whilst Ditchling Road sweeps up from The Level to Fiveways Village and The South Downs National Park.