Greyfriars, Hove, East Sussex, BN3

Set within a leafy and landscaped grounds, on a quiet cul-de-sac shared by just a few other high-status homes, this detached seven-bedroom house feels every inch the country manor. While it was built during the 1970s, it has the appeal of an older era with traditional leaded light windows, a gabled roof and dark beams on its flint and brick facade.

Internally, the house has been redesigned throughout using only the finest materials and fittings to create a perfectly balanced home for the modern family. Having been extended in recent years, its versatile layout offers several options for those working from home, or for families looking to generate an additional income. With two kitchen areas, the potential to create a self-contained annexe ensures this property will appeal to all family set ups: whether living with older family members, teenagers or young children alike. There is space for at least four cars on the driveway with two more in the double integrated garage, and to the rear there is a glorious garden surrounded by mature trees.

This property is incredibly well-connected by road, train and bus to the social and cultural centres of both Brighton and Hove, with the beach and city centre shops accessible in minutes, while for commuters, both Brighton Mainline Station and Preston Park Station are within a 10-minute walk. It is also within catchment for some of the city’s best schools and sixth form colleges, making this a highly attractive and exciting prospect for any growing family wishing to live in luxury in this vibrant coastal city.


Style: Detached family home
Type: 7 double bedrooms, 4 bathrooms + WC, 4 reception rooms, 2 kitchens, 1 study
Location: Upper Drive/Dyke Road
Floor Area: Please see floor plan
Outside: Large west facing rear garden
Parking: Double integrated garage and drive for 4 cars
Council Tax Band: G

Why you’ll like it:
Introduction:
The substantial, Neo-Tudor detached homes of Greyfriars were built on the land of a large country house during the 1970s, yet they sit sympathetically with their leafy surroundings. This area between Dyke Road and Old Shoreham Road, is characterised by large family homes which have held their appeal throughout the decades due to their favoured school catchment and proximity to both the coast and the South Downs National Park.

This house stands proudly on the Hove side of Dyke Road, so it is within catchment of the most favoured primary and secondary schools in the city. Stanford Infants and Junior schools (OFSTED outstanding) are just a stroll up the hill, as is Cardinal Newman alongside BHASVIC Sixth Form College. Blatchington Mill Secondary School is also within catchment, and there are several highly acclaimed private schools too, making this the ideal home for families with children of all ages.

Exterior:
Space, light and a focus on ‘family’ was of utmost importance in the design of this magnificent home, which has been brought shining into the 21st Century with a contemporary makeover throughout.

Sitting tucked away at the end of the cul-de-sac, the house is striking on the approach with a neat brick drive lined with gracious palm trees and an immaculate front lawn. The double garage was extended and linked to the original house by the previous owners, almost doubling the footprint of the property, creating an additional three bedrooms and a vast open plan living room and dining room leading out to the garden. With over 3788 sq. ft. to play with, this is an exceptionally spacious family home whose scale and beauty can only be fully appreciated when stepping inside.

Reception rooms 1 & 2:
From the moment you enter this elegant home, it is clearly a light and well-designed space with a broad and welcoming entrance hall. Oak floors and white walls offer a blank canvas to new owners, while the main sitting room and adjoining dining room are carpeted under foot in delicate dove grey. These rooms form part of the original house, with space for the family to cosy up together in front of the wood burning stove in the evening. Sliding patio doors link the room seamlessly with the garden, becoming an extension of the home during summer.

Kitchen 1:
Streamlined cabinets in pale grey gloss are paired with white laminate worktops forming a peninsular breakfast bar in the first kitchen, which sits alongside the living room in the main house. With plenty of storage and integrated appliances, it is ready to go and is a sociable space for entertaining on this side of the property. With two fully working kitchens in the house, it would be possible to create two completely self-contained homes, be they for family members or to let privately.

Study & Lounge:
From the entrance hall, the study links through to the annexed extension where a second sitting room awaits, stepping down to the open plan kitchen and dining room. It is the ideal size for kicking back and watching TV, or as a children’s playroom adjoining the second living space. Tiled flooring is cool in the summer and is perfectly low maintenance, paired with sage green walls to complement the views of nature brought in through the tall window looking out over the rear garden. You can also access the double garage from here, providing fast access to this side of the house from outside.

Open Plan Kitchen & Dining Room:
As part of the new annexed extension, a large open plan kitchen and dining room was created, opening completely to the garden via bi-folding doors. This room feels like the heart of this home with space for entertaining in style or for family evenings, watching TV, doing homework or catching up on the day’s events around the table. A double height vaulted ceiling creates a wonderful sense of space with four oversized skylights to illuminate, while a mezzanine level looks down from the first-floor galleried landing.
The kitchen cabinetry is modern in white gloss paired with darker work surfaces to echo the glossy black floor tiles which are heated from below. Within the units, the fridge freezer, oven and induction hob are integrated, leaving space for a washing machine and dishwasher, which may be available by separate negotiation.

The Garden:
Whether you are entertaining friends or enjoying a ‘kick-around’ with the children; this garden is the perfect size. Set mainly to lawn, it is easy to maintain, and even with children’s play equipment space is not compromised. Chevron brick paving creates an attractive space for dining and sunbathing, and well-established borders ensure you are not overlooked. You can access the garden from the dining room/family room or via the main sitting room, so the entire ground floor has a sense of flow from inside to out. With a westerly aspect, the garden receives sunshine unit the end of the day making it a real suntrap during the warmer seasons.

First floor Bedrooms & Bathrooms:
As a house of two parts, there are two staircases which rise to the first floor. The first into the annex where there are three double bedrooms and a bathroom, linking through to a further four double bedrooms in the original part of the house where the second staircase descends into the entrance hall. While one bedroom has wood flooring, the others have soft grey or fawn carpet underfoot and the annexed bedrooms enjoy vaulted ceilings with skylights so you can star gaze as you drift off to sleep. All are double glazed for added warmth and quiet, so wherever you are in the house, you can ensure a restful night.

These rooms share use of three attractive first floor bathrooms, one of which is ensuite to the principal room. The fourth bathroom is adjoining the kitchen on the ground floor – ideal for anyone getting ready early in the morning and not wishing to wake the rest of the house.

Agent’s thoughts:
Not only is this a stunning and exceptionally spacious property, it is also incredibly well-located within the city. For families the schools are incredible, and for commuters the station is less than 10-minutes on foot. The versatile layout will also be of interest to larger families or those with a business working from home.

Owner’s thoughts:
“This has been a fantastic family home for us as there is so much space, you never feel on top of one another, and the location is incredibly convenient for the city and the London commute. You can be on the platform within 10-minutes at Preston Park Station, and the house sits equidistant from the South Downs one way and the city centre in the other, so you really do get the best of both worlds. We have particularly enjoyed entertaining here and we hope to get a few more social gatherings in before we leave as it is an amazing space when getting together with friends.”

Where it is:
Shops: Local 1 min walk, city centre 10-15 min walk
Train Station: Preston Park 8-10 min walk, Brighton Station 15 min walk
Seafront or Park: South Downs 5 min drive, Seafront 20 min walk
Closest Schools:
Primary: Stanford Infants and Junior School, Brunswick Primary
Secondary: Blatchington Mill, Hove Park, Cardinal Newman RC
Sixth Form: BHASVIC, Newman College, Varndean Sixth Form College
Private: Brighton College, Lancing Prep, Brighton Girls School

Sitting within minutes of the South Downs National Park, there are many green, open spaces nearby, to include Hove Park and Hove Recreation Ground. Fashionable Seven Dials are within walking distance offering a wealth of amenities, bakeries, coffee shops, restaurants and wine bars, and the city centre shopping districts and beach are also within easy reach. For commuters, this home also offers easy access to Preston Park Station and the A27/A23 which have direct and fast access along the South Coast and to the airports and London for those requiring them on a daily or weekly basis.