Morton Road, London N1

This beautiful apartment is set in a handsome brick-fronted Victorian townhouse on Morton Road, a quiet, tree-lined no-through road in Islington. Interiors are pared back, accentuating the light that pours into the cleverly conceived living spaces that open directly onto a large, mature private garden. The home is excellently located in the East Canonbury Conservation Area, close to De Beauvoir, Dalston and Newington Green, as well as the New River Walk, Shoreditch Park and Highbury Fields.

The Tour

The house is accessed off Elmore Street, through a timber fence and gate constructed of lateral timber slats. This opens to a wide garden laid to gravel, where stepping stones form a path to the main section of the garden.

The apartment is accessed by two small steps down from ground level across a patio area laid with upturned brick. On the other side of the patio, a set of sliding doors open to the former conservatory, now a light-filled dining area with verdant views over the garden beyond. Black, metal-framed glazing surrounds the entire rear elevation and ceiling and opens onto a patio with plenty of room for a table and chairs.

The main living spaces are finished in a neutral palette of Farrow & Ball whites. Recently sanded and finished reclaimed timber parquet flooring is complemented by Birdie lighting by Northern and tubular Terma radiators in a copper finish. A wood-burning stove stands in an inlet flanked by bespoke built-in cabinetry.

The kitchen lies off the living area and contains an exposed timber beam, timber cabinetry and white tiles with dark grout. From here, a door opens onto the same patio; the whole apartment has a wonderful connection with the outside. An internal hall with reclaimed Lassco brass door furniture leads to a smart bathroom with a new Japanese-style bath, where large plate floor tiles in a light grey contrast with the black sanitaryware.

A double bedroom lies at the rear; here, a sash window with timber shutters offers views across the front garden of the home above and filters a wonderful quality of soft morning light through. Bespoke wardrobes offer additional storage built into the alcoves on either side of the bed. A small children's bedroom or study lies to the rear of the plan, with underfloor heating below new cork floors and views out onto the garden through a casement window.

Outdoor Space

The large garden wraps around the home and is bounded along its Elmore Street perimeter by a high wall of London stock brick, topped with lateral timber slat fencing. It is a secluded, private environment, where mature Robinia and apple trees are interspersed with shrubs and climbers including ceanothus, ferns, fragrant jasmine, arum lily, hydrangeas and sambuca black lace.

All of the living spaces open directly onto a patio area, which becomes an extension of the apartment in the summer months. The boundary with the neighbouring gardens is formed of black-painted timber fencing with a trellis atop.


The Area

Morton Road is a wide, tree-lined terrace predominantly made up of large Victorian townhouses. It is perfectly positioned for the best of Upper Street, Essex Road, Canonbury, Dalston and Newington Green, with the ever-popular green spaces of New River Walk, Shoreditch Park and Highbury Fields close by. London Fields and its lido are a 30-minute walk away.

There are many fantastic restaurants, cafes and pubs locally, notably Jolene, The Baring, the Compton Arms, De Beauvoir Arms, Pophams Bakery and Sweet Thursday for excellent pizza. The De Beauvoir Deli is a few moments away and is a firm favourite with locals, offering locally sourced produce alongside seasonal fruit and vegetables, cakes, soups, sandwiches, salads and flowers. A visit to N1 Garden Centre is a soothing spot for indoor and outdoor plants.

The area borders the Regent's Canal, where the magical Towpath Cafe is a lovely spot for brunch or dinner in the spring and summer months. The area has excellent arts venues with the Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art, The Almeida Theatre, Rio Cinema, Screen on the Green and Hoxton Curzon Cinema all close by.

Primary schools in the area include the Ofsted "Outstanding"-rated Hackney New Primary School and William Tyndale Primary School. Independent schools include Dallington School, St Paul’s Cathedral School and North Bridge House School.

Essex Road Station is a 9-min walk away with trains to Moorgate in six minutes. The nearest Underground is Highbury & Islington (Victoria Line), around a 20-minute walk away, while Canonbury Overground is 15 minutes on foot. There are excellent local bus links, offering quick easy access to the City and central London.

Tenure: Share of Freehold
Lease Length: Approx. 959 years remaining
Service Charge: Approx. £600 per annum
Ground Rent: Peppercorn
Parking: Residents' permits
Council Tax Band: C