Christchurch Road, Cheltenham, GL50

A heritage townhouse in one of Cheltenham Spa’s most fashionable locations, a stone’s throw from the town centre, is highly sought-after – so we’re delighted to present 5 Christchurch Road, a striking four-storey Victorian townhouse in the ultra-desirable Montpellier district.

Exuding period character from every heritage red brick, bay window and corniced ceiling, this handsome 4,313 sq ft family residence has a few contemporary surprises up its sleeve too, having been extended to create a truly spectacular free-flow kitchen/dining/family area, and completely updated throughout.  Now, the beautiful landscaped gardens can be viewed through an entire wall of glass doors which glide open to create that seamless and sought-after merger of indoors with outdoors.  It’s just perfect for those who entertain – an all-year-round party house.

The allure of a Victorian home sympathetically extended nine years ago and updated to 21st century structural standards, including the electrics and plumbing, attracted the current owners who also cherished a large garden that isn’t overlooked, two parking spaces (a rarity in this location) and the convenient eight-minute walk to Cheltenham station to catch trains to London or Birmingham.  Motorists can easily access the M5 for Bristol and Birmingham and the A40 for Oxford and London too.

Victorian character meets 21st-century style

The original lobby opens into a fine, spacious entrance hall with the original Victorian staircase in all its splendour.  The high ceilings, an archway and solid oak flooring define the era.

Part of the rear extension encompasses a contemporary two-storey building containing an ultra-modern cantilever staircase, flanked by floor-to-ceiling windows, accessing both the lower level and the two upper floors – accessed from the entrance hall.

Two fine heritage reception rooms – a drawing room and a sitting room - to the front of the house are open plan, an archway creating a partial division.  The charming drawing room has a wonderful original bay window and in the winter it basks in the warmth of a wood burner, fitted in the period fireplace. The adjoining sitting room has library shelving either side of another fireplace (currently sealed but easily reinstated) and is the perfect spot for relaxing with a good book.

Another sunny room is the study/office which, at 14x12ft, has plenty of space for a couple of desks and office furniture – ideal for those who work from home.  It overlooks the living roof of the kitchen extension – it’s a riot of blooms in the summer.

The hub of family life

The dining area is contained within the extension, in front of the wall of sliding glass doors to the garden and with two overhead skylights upping the light quota even further.  The staircase to the first floor is accessed via an ultra-stylish Crittal door and windows panel.

Open-plan is the name of the game as the dining room flows freely into the chic bespoke Roundhouse kitchen, complete with feature original red brick wall and large central island fitted with a Neff gas hob, and then into a cosy snug, warmed by a stylish wall-inset gas fire, flanked by bookshelves.

This fabulous family area is 37ft in length and it expands smoothly into a similarly spacious family room, with bay window, which is ideal as an infants’ playroom or for teenagers, equipped with a wall-mounted TV and electronic devices.

A good-sized utility room, with built-in cupboards, and adjoining cloakroom/WC complete the lower ground floor line-up.

Bedtime story

There’s going to be no fighting at 5 Christ Church Road because all five bedrooms, across two floors, are super-spacious.

There’s an equally large and luxurious bathroom, in a fashionable monotone colour palette, with a freestanding bath tub, twin washbasins, walk-in shower and underfloor heating, and an additional cloakroom with WC.

Glorious garden

Echoing the striking style and refinement of the house, the generously-sized rear garden is privately enclosed by fencing and screened by trees and perennials.  It was professionally landscaped five years ago and is a real oasis of English garden loveliness, seen at its best in the spring and summer months when the raised planters and borders, are a colourful sea of blooms and greenery.

This beautiful green haven is the backdrop to the paved patio which spans the width of the rear extension and is very much an addendum to it when the glass doors are slid open.  It’s simply perfect for al fresco dining, both family barbecues or kitchen suppers with guests, who can ‘float’ between indoors and outdoors at will. 

The garden has several spots for relaxing and enjoying the sunshine and tranquillity at various times of the day, and there’s even a vegetable patch and shed for green-fingered enthusiasts.

Round and about

Offering just about everything you could ever desire, Cheltenham is dazzling, refined, cultured, and as lively as you like!

The town centre is within a pleasant 15-minute walk via the elegant Promenade and embraces all the major high street brands as well as a wide choice of pubs, eateries and coffee shops.  Number 5 Christchurch Road is at the heart of Montpellier - one of the most fashionable and cosmopolitan of places in Cheltenham to chill out, socialise and dine.

Among a plethora of options, the vendors’ favourite places to eat are Bosco pizzeria and The Ivy, residing within the breathtaking domed ‘Rotunda’, built in 1825.  There’s also Michelin-starred dining within a short walk at both Le Champignon Sauvage and Lumiere.

It’s a five-minute drive to do the weekly shop at Waitrose, and there are also Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Asda and M&S Simply Food supermarkets nearby.

It would be hard to better the education options with a superb choice of both state and private schools in the close vicinity.  The state primary schools, Gloucester Road, Naunton Park, Christ Church CE and St Gregory the Great Catholic are all Ofsted-rated outstanding, as are the secondary schools - Balcarras and Pates’s Grammar Schools.  Highly-rated independent schools, all close by, include Cheltenham College, Cheltenham Ladies’ College, St Edward’s, Dean Close and The Richard Pate School.