We may not have had much snow this year, but the buyer of this attractive Regency home is assured that the gardens are transformed into a “private Narnia” when it does.
While the White Witch, mythical beasts and talking animals will not, perhaps, be in evidence, you could easily believe that if walls could tell a story, this classical property in Wellington Road, Edgbaston, would offer a few classics.
A Grade-II listed Regency villa in the heart of leafy Edgbaston, it was originally commissioned by Josiah Richards, a Birmingham jewellery maker famed for his Oriental amulets who was also the brother of Theophilus, a gun and pistol maker who went on to found Westley Richards.
The four square mansion, built in 1827, has been extensively renovated – including a new roof and renovated sash windows – but work has been sympathetic to the period of the home.
Packed with original features, including the York flooring in the kitchen and the wooden shutters in the reception room, this eight-bedroom home has plenty of charm, with neoclassical details such as Egyptian carvings on the door and window frames, ceiling roses with acanthus leaves, plus acanthus leaf ceiling borders and vine leaf friezes.
The welcoming environment is evident as soon as you enter the elegant hall with polished wooden floors.
The ground floor has three reception rooms, the first of which features the original pitch pine floor and Adam-style fireplace. The large sash window, with wooden shutters, overlooks the garden, while shuttered French doors lead to the Orangery, which is the vendors’ favourite part of the house.
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“It is a wonderful feature and the perfect place to enjoy breakfast in the summer, enjoying the view of the garden with the sunlight flooding in,” said Mrs Richards, who moved to the house 17 years ago with her husband and four children.
A second reception room, with more views of the garden, has the original pitch pine floor and fire grate, while in the third reception – currently used as a study – you’ll find the ceiling surrounded by an acanthus leaf border and the window and door frames decorated by carved lion heads.
You can also relax in the garden room, which was once the meat and beer cellar, as well as the breakfast room, which is perfect for informal dining.
Historical features abound in the fully modernised kitchen that has black granite work surfaces, Belfast sink and large, double oven. It is the original kitchen for the house and still has the York stone floor, while the servants’ bell system still works – ideal for when you want to request a cup of tea in bed.
A butler’s pantry provides further storage while the three cellars – one of which is barrel vaulted – are perfect for storing wine. The ground floor also contains a utility room and cloakroom.
The master bedroom suite on the first floor drinks in the views of the garden, thanks to the three large sash windows, and has a separate dressing annex with fitted wardrobes, plus a fully refurbished en-suite bathroom with shower cubicle and ball and claw cast iron bath.
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The first floor also houses the further bedrooms – some with fitted furniture – and a family bathroom.
To complement the Regency property is the charming garden. A large, elegant space, it is surrounded on three sides by a listed red brick wall and comprises a formal garden with lawn and herbaceous borders, a larger lawn area with trees and shrubs, plus a small wood, all of which make the house very private. There’s plenty of space for the garden equipment, plus two wooden sheds.
The property also features a Victorian coach house, built around 1880, which has been converted into a one-bedroom property with living room, bathroom, kitchen and double bedroom.
“We fell in love with the beautiful Georgian architecture of this house and loved that it is completely unique within the area,” said Mrs Richards.
“The views of the garden from all sides of the house are beautiful, especially when it has snowed, it is like a private Narnia with the forest and sweeping lawns.
“We adore the house and are sad to be moving away, but it is time to let another family enjoy the wonderful life we have been so lucky to have had in this house. It still holds charm, stories and memories of everyone who has lived here.”
VIEWING INFORMATION
AGENT: Fine And Country
TEL: 0121 746 64000
WEB: www.fineandcountry.co.uk
GUIDE PRICE: £1,995,000