Vernon Terrace, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1

A 2 minute stroll from the al fresco lifestyle of Seven Dials, 5 from Western Road and 10 from Brighton Station with direct trains to Gatwick and London, this beautiful, two/three bedroom apartment with a west facing garden and home office/gym is ideal for professionals, investors and small families as local schools are good. Big and bright it spans the whole lower floor of a magnificent Victorian building and inside this quiet, luxury retreat guests can enjoy a roaring fire in the living room in complete seclusion whilst the contemporary kitchen, with a vaulted skylight, opens to a stylish suntrap. Private and peaceful, the guest room looks over the garden and has a chic shower room en-suite, and the serene principal bedroom is a dream come true with his and her wardrobes, and is next to a glamorous bathroom with high end fittings. The attention to detail continues in the utility room – by the front door so beach towels can go straight into the machine- and also in the spacious home office. Sensitive improvements include reclaimed radiators and timber frame double glazing in the main rooms, with acoustic glass in the bedroom and bathroom.

7 Dials is one of Brighton’s favourite locations known for its friendly shops, cafés and small Co-Op – and of course the seven roads which take you into every part of the city, out to the South Downs or on to the A23/A27. Close to Hove Park’s tennis courts, open air theatre and playground it is also only a short stroll to the sports facilities and open spaces of St Anne’s Wells which also hosts events during festivals. Local schools, including an outstanding sixth form college are within easy reach and the beach is a 15 minute walk or 5 by cab.

Style Lower ground apartment in Victorian terrace 1840’s – 1880’s
Type 2 double bedrooms, double bedroom 3/home office 2 bathrooms (1 en suite), living dining room, kitchen, utility
Area Seven Dials
Floor Area 1292 sq ft
Garden West garden
Parking Permit zone Y
Council Tax Band B

Why you’ll like it:

The Seven Dials is a great place to be with an unpretentious vibe and variety of local amenities. Within walking distance of the sea, you are never far from fresh coffee and a croissant- or parks to enjoy - and opposite a communal green, this fabulous find is within a central portion of grand, wider houses set well back from the road behind front gardens, and has its own, separate entrance.
The Approach

Down broad, shallow steps past a landscaped front garden the approach is impressive and in the courtyard below, with meticulous attention to detail rare to the market, marble effect tiles have been laid. This commitment to improvements which are sympathetic to the age of the building continues into the lobby, large enough for seating to remove shoes, where ceramic tiling in traditional style (but contemporary in colour) conceals underfloor heating, and a second secure door opens to an inviting hallway with a high ceiling and a broad mid-section large enough for a workstation, where a big cupboard is a coat and luggage drop.

The Living/Dining Room and Kitchen

Of classic proportions, this elegant reception has space and grace. A restful retreat with ample room for sofas and a dining table guests can relax in complete, and rare, privacy in front of an open fire within a handsome fireplace, and discreet modern tweaks include custom made shelving, cabinets, and a dimmer switch for ambient lighting.

Practical for every day but also perfect for parties, the Parker’s kitchen has the wow factor, blending a Victorian influence with the best of the 21st century. Bathed in sunshine with a vaulted skylight overhead and a west wall where glazed French doors bring the outside in no expense has been spared in this beautiful extension, completed in 2015 with limestone flagstones underfoot, oak working surfaces and timeless Shaker units which deliver sophisticated storage solutions. The magnificent Belling multi fuel range could stay, subject to circumstance and the dishwasher is integrated for you.

The Garden

Sunny and secure, the west facing garden is a secret retreat expertly landscaped and more spacious than many this close to the city and the sea. The dining deck is made remarkably private from neighbours by walls and fencing, and the beds are planted for all year interest as well as for scent with wisteria, roses, bamboo and hydrangea to name but a few. Surrounded by gardens it is easy to forget you are in one of the most vibrant locations in our world famous coastal resort, and there is plenty of space for entertaining which is useful as this is the perfect place for friends and family to gather before exploring Brighton – or Hove!

The Guest Room En-Suite

With open views over a sea of gardens the peaceful guest suite is not directly overlooked, and it is ready for even the most particular visitors with tasteful decoration and chic en-suite shower room.

The Principal Bedroom and Luxury Bathroom

At the front, with the romance only a creative blend of historic proportion and skilled eye can deliver, the principal bedroom is a secret sanctuary with a deep, broad bay to almost fill the east wall to bring in the morning sunshine – but minimal sound, as the windows within the bespoke timber frame are acoustic glass. Painted in subtle, heritage hues this room is a delight to return to and two wardrobes, one of which is a walk in closet, provide all the storage you could dream of.

Next door, the light and airy bathroom also enjoys acoustic glass, which is frosted for privacy. You can bathe in glory in a freestanding, talon-foot tub and traditional shower attachment, but there is nothing old fashioned about the high end Burlington bathroom suite, Hudson Reed taps, fashionable dual head shower system or the warming rail for towels!

The Utility Room and Home Office

To the right of the front door, the apartment spreads its wings into a stylish utility where the commitment to style and practical living can be seen in the midnight blue units, topped by quartz, and plumbing is in place for a washing machine and there is a space for a dryer.

Next door, the home office is also big enough for gym equipment, and this space is secure with toughened glass in the south facing windows, so it is a bright and cheerful room from which to work from home, too but it could always be used as another bedroom.

Agent’s Thoughts:

“With a design led interior and a scented, landscaped garden this stunning home in fashionable 7 Dials is in the exclusive golden triangle of Clifton Hill CA within a 15 minute walk of the station, the sea and both the famous North Laine and vibrant Western Road. Primary and secondary schools are good, and parks which offer sports facilities and playgrounds are easy to reach.”

Owner’s secret:

“We have enjoyed breathing new life into this restful house which we wanted to feel stylish, contemporary and welcoming whilst keeping the integrity of this majestic historic building. The easy flow of the ground floor to the garden is perfect for entertaining and all of the rooms are big and bright – even the hallway is broad and tall, so we never feel on top of each other. We have stayed far longer than we thought as extending into the coal shed gave us space to work from home, and we love the privacy of the living spaces and cosy nights in front of the fire. We are not always tied to the car as there are plenty of local bus routes and the location is perfect for nights out locally, in Brighton’s picturesque heart or in the West End as Brighton Station has direct trains to London. We shall miss our happy home and garden, but it is time for us to move on and let some-one else enjoy both it and our lovely neighbours who have become friends!”

Where it is:

Shops: 7 Dials 2 mins walk, Queen’s Road & North Laine 10 on foot, Waitrose, Taj & Western Road 10 to walk
Train Station: Brighton Station 10 mins walk
Seafront or Park: St Anne’s Wells Gardens 6 mins walk, sea 14 on foot, 5 by cab
Closest schools:
Primary: St Paul’s C of E, Stanford, Brunswick
Secondary: Cardinal Newman RC, Hove Park
Sixth Form: Hove Park, Cardinal Newman, BHASVIC, BIMM
Private: Windlesham, Lancing Prep, Brighton College, Brighton & Hove High

Ideal for commuters as the station serving Gatwick and London is a 10 minute walk – or 3 by cab - the 7 Dials is one of Brighton’s favourite destinations known for its friendly shops, cafés (including a fabulous Hellenic Bakery) and small Co-Op. Close to Dyke Road Park with tennis courts, open air theatre and playground it is also only a short stroll to the sports facilities and open spaces of St Anne’s Wells which also hosts events during festivals. Local schools are good, including an outstanding 6th form college, the beach is a short walk and the National Park is just a few minutes’ drive– so a healthy lifestyle beckons! The vibrant arts venues, international restaurants and cosmopolitan shopping of the city are all quick to get to by bus or on foot and for those who need a car, there’s swift access to the A23/A27.

Ideal for commuters as the station serving Gatwick and London is a 10 minute walk – or 3 by cab - the 7 Dials is one of Brighton’s favourite destinations known for its friendly shops, cafés (including a fabulous Hellenic Bakery) and small Co-Op. Close to Dyke Road Park with tennis courts, open air theatre and playground it is also only a short stroll to the sports facilities and open spaces of St Anne’s Wells which also hosts events during festivals. Local schools are good, including an outstanding 6th form college, the beach is a short walk and the National Park is just a few minutes’ drive– so a healthy lifestyle beckons! The vibrant arts venues, international restaurants and cosmopolitan shopping of the city are all quick to get to by bus or on foot and for those who need a car, there’s swift access to the A23/A27.