Braddons Hill Road East, Torquay, Devon

Perched on a hilltop in Torquay, Devon, this grand Victorian terraced house is a light and airy take on life by the sea. Behind its pea-green façade are four storeys and a cellar, with original features dotted across its generously proportioned rooms. During the warmer months, French windows onto the south-west-facing balcony can be thrown open to invite in panoramas across this stretch of the English Riviera and to grant access to the house’s multiple levels of private garden.

Setting the Scene

Braddons Hill Road East winds up the hillside from the bustling, colourful seafront. The collection of seaside cottages broadens into larger period properties, all surrounded by teeming plots of gardens. This house, built into the hillside, has an arresting Victorian frontage with broad views of the town and the sea to the west. Meticulously renovated, it abounds with colourful interior details that work in tandem to foster a home that is at once lively and soothing.

The Grand Tour

The house is built into the hillside, approached via a winding road up to Braddons Hill Road East. Entry is to the ground floor, where there is an elegant glazed walkway leads into the hallway with ample space for storing coats, windbreaks and beach bags.

Handsome solid oak parquet flooring extends through the light-filled sitting room, orientated towards an original marble and open fireplace. Inlets provide perfect nooks for bookshelves. Here, a set of French doors opens out onto the generous wraparound balcony. The dining room sits adjacent, with the same beautiful flooring underfoot and a sash window that opens out onto the charming incline of the seaside lane.

On the lower-ground floor is a well-proportioned kitchen with bespoke cabinetry and space for seating. From here is a sunroom, which commands serene views over the town and its harbour. A utility room and excellent storage gain top points for functionality. There’s even a cellar, apt for storing wine and cheese.

An elegant original staircase ascends throughout the house. Picture rails lend a period elegance. The primary bedroom and its en suite occupy the first floor, with three arched sash windows, an original fireplace and a preserved ceiling rose above. There is also a generous run of built-in wardrobes. The adjoining en suite is capacious, with a freestanding bathtub beside a fire, a tall period sash window and a rainfall shower head. On the top floor, there are two further bedrooms set into the atmospheric sloping eaves of the house.

The Great Outdoors

Set in just under an acre of gardens and grounds, the house is accessed via a private drive with space for several cars. The grounds have a secluded feel, secreted away from the neighbours by mature shrubs and trees. Many of the living spaces have glazed doors for stepping out onto a stone veranda with terrific views of the harbour at Torquay. There is ample space for dining tables, ideal for enjoying a morning coffee or evening sundowner.

Below, the tiered gardens are arranged over four levels. Their south-facing aspect creates an idyllic and versatile space with a large paved patio, sub-tropical garden, and al fresco kitchen positioned around green stripes of lawn. Typical of the area, sightlines are verdantly intersected by windblown trees.

Out and About

The position of the house is excellent for sailing opportunities and the wonderful coastal landscapes surrounding the so-called ‘English Riviera’. Hollicombe Beach is just a 15-minute walk from the house, with Preston Sands and Paignton around five minutes away by car. Oldway Gardens in Paignton are Grade II-listed heritage gardens amidst 17 acres of land.

The centre of Torquay, easily reached on foot, has a good selection of supermarkets, independent shops and cafés. There are also many good dining venues nearby, including the Michelin-starred The Elephant and The Dog and Duck, a wonderful pub with live music. The house is also in the catchment area for several Ofsted-rated “Good” schools.

Torquay Station is less than a mile from the house and provides mainline services between Cornwall and London. A direct service to London Paddington runs regularly from Torquay, with a journey time of around three hours and 8 minutes.

Council Tax Band: C