Manor Avenue, London, SE4

@tanyabaker.co.uk can be visited on Instagram to see the video tour of this home.

It’s all too easy to make sweeping changes to a period property and in doing so lose the timeless style and charm that once set it apart. It’s far better to exercise restraint - by knowing what to change and what’s best left as our ancestors intended.

Thankfully the temptation to make too many changes has been resisted in this substantial five storey Victorian townhouse.

Instead the period features have been sympathetically restored, leaving only the kitchen, bathrooms and upper floor cinema room to benefit from thoroughly 21st century upgrades.

The two spacious reception rooms on the hall floor have been opened up to create one seamless sociable space, with high ceilings, decorative coving and gorgeous herringbone parquet flooring. Contrasting colour schemes give each room their own distinct identity.

It’s very unlikely that the Victorians would have all headed ‘downstairs’ to the superb open plan kitchen / diner and family room that now occupies the ground floor.

The whole of the ground floor benefitted from a modern makeover in 2021, including a rear extension, opening to a sheltered outdoor courtyard.

The gorgeous kitchen (by local company Puccini) with the fabulous bold, black fitted units, matching island unit and state of the art appliances (including the must-have Quooker tap!) is likely to become the social hub of the home.

There’s access from the family room to the back garden (which sits at just under 100ft) that gets the sun in the afternoon and evening.

It’s a fantastic outdoor space, thoughtfully landscaped in 2021 by Hamilton Cody to be ideal for entertaining and with three purpose built rooms at the end of the garden, currently being used as an office, gym and tidy shed.

It's a practical home too, with a handy utility room, downstairs w/c and dog washroom just outside the lower ground front door!

The first floor is entirely devoted to the impressive main bedroom suite. There’re bespoke inbuilt wardrobes (with space for a tucked-away TV!) gorgeous sash windows and the original wood floor, along with a separate walk-in wardrobe/ dressing area. That leads to a stunning ensuite bathroom with both a freestanding bath and shower that would look at home in a five star hotel. Underfloor heating will keep your tootsies warm on a chilly winter’s morning.

The second floor has a further two double bedrooms and the four piece family bathroom, with underfloor heating and Domus porcelain tiles.

And at the very top, the loft has been converted into a versatile space that’s currently being used as a cinema room but could equally be turned into a home gym or studio, or used as another bedroom.

Manor Avenue is a beautiful leafy street where you can enjoy the cherry blossoms in the summer or a traditional Christmas card scene in winter.

It’s also a quiet street, avoiding the rat run traffic, with cars preferring to use the adjacent Wickham Road.

It’s in a convenient, conservation area location a short walk from both St Johns and Brockley overground stations. That gives you options if you’re heading into central London, with the choice of heading towards London Bridge, Victoria or the Elizabeth line or Cannon Street, Deptford or the DLR.

There’s plenty to enjoy on your doorstep, with a great selection of independent local shops, and cafés in Brockley including Jones deli, Browns and Parlez.

There’s a greater choice of bigger name stores and restaurants in Lewisham, which is a 30 minute walk or a short bus ride away.

As this is a family-friendly property, it’s good to know that there’s a fantastic choice of “Good” and “Outstanding” local schools nearby.

Myatt Garden Primary School is closest, it’s only a couple of streets away, as is Lewisham College for older kids continuing their education.

There’s plenty of green space nearby if you want to go for a run or walk the dog. Friendly Gardens are at the end of the street, with riverside walks through Brookmill Park just a 15 minute walk away.

This beautifully restored and updated property is bound to appeal to a wide range of discerning buyers, looking for a substantial family home in a fantastic location.