Property description
PROPERTY SUMMARY \‘Swainson House\‘ has an interesting past, with records showing that in all probability it was a residential property in 1842, however, prior to that it may have been one of the many houses of ill repute or one of the many public houses, as the cellar, with its flagstone flooring and arched wine & beer keg stores are still to be seen today. It has a highly unusual southerly facing wall adjacent to the chapel as it is faced with \‘mathematical\‘ tiling, a cross between a tile and a shaped brick which was introduced to circumvent the 1784 tax on bricks. The house is named after one of its famous residents, William Swainson, the Admiralty Coroner, who was registered at the address in 1859. Today, and after many improvements the property offers living accommodation over four floors including the basement/cellar, on the reception level is a long hallway running to the rear of the property with a living room, kitchen / breakfast room, cloakroom, utility cupboard and large split-level bedroom / studio (potential granny or teenage annexe), on the first floor is the drawing room with twin windows to the front, a double bedroom and bathroom, on the top floor are two further double bedrooms and shower room. To the rear of the property is an enclosed courtyard with flagstone and brick flooring. The property is deceptive with light and spacious rooms, some exposed beams, painted panelling and fire surrounds, this property represents a rare opportunity to purchase a unique and historic home which dates back to the late 18th century and appears largely unaltered since the days of the \‘Charpentier\‘ drawings of 1842. \‘Swainson House\‘ is within walking distance of the maritime centre of Old Portsmouth with the Sailing Club, Camber Dock, many restaurants and public houses as well as the fortified Napoleonic sea defences, the highly regarded schools including The Portsmouth Grammar School and the High School are both nearby, early internal viewing is strongly recommended in order to appreciate both the accommodation and location on offer.
ENTRANCE Main front door with security spyhole with glazed panel over, leading to:
HALLWAY High ceiling with exposed beams, picture rail, dado rail, radiator, wall light, archway leading to:
INNER HALLWAY Balustrade staircase rising to first floor, window to side aspect, double radiator, picture rail, dado rail, understairs doorway leading to cellar/basement, central heating control switch, internal wooden glazed door leading to annexe/rear extension, doors to primary rooms.
LIVING ROOM 17\‘ 0" x 14\‘ 0" (5.18m x 4.27m) Decreasing to 13\‘6" at narrowest point, twin sash style windows to front aspect, high ceiling with exposed beams, picture rail, dado rail, wall light, panelled door leading to hallway, power points, wood surround fireplace with brick inlay, radiator with cover over, twin part-glazed doors leading to:
KITCHEN / BREAKFAST ROOM 19\‘ 6" into bay window x 12\‘ 6" (5.94m x 3.81m) Feature bay to one end with twin central doors, one with cat flap, sash style windows to either side with radiators under, vinyl flooring. Kitchen Area: Comprehensive range of wood fronted wall and floor units with work surface over, central peninsular divide with range of cupboards under, single drainer sink unit with mixer tap and cupboard space under, space for dishwasher, space for gas hob, ceramic tiled surrounds, extractor hood, fan and light over, under unit tuve lights, range of drawer units, power points, breakfast bar area with metal legs, feature fire surround with ornate curved wood over, space for fridge/freezer, exposed beams to ceiling with spotlights, panelled door leading to hallway.
REAR EXTENSION / ANNEXE Internal hallway with door to:
UTILITY CUPBOARD Raised plinth with washing machine point, window to side aspect and shelf over.
SEPARATE CLOAKROOM Low level w.c, corner wash hand basin, ceramic tiled to half wall level, window to side aspect, panelled door.
WALK THROUGH SUN ROOM 8\‘ 4" x 6\‘ 9" (2.54m x 2.06m) Full height double glazed windows at an angle with twin doors leading to rear garden, double radiator, door to:
ANNEXE Door to:
BEDROOM 4 / STUDIO 19\‘ 0" x 15\‘ 0" (5.79m x 4.57m) Arranged as split level, lower level sitting area, radiator with cover over, double glazed windows overlooking courtyard, power points, high ceiling with spotlights, central steps with balustrade leading up to bedroom area, high level power points, double glazed high level windows, ceiling spotlights.
FIRST FLOOR Mezzanine landing to rear with steps leading to main landing, window to side aspect, door to:
BATHROOM 10\‘ 9" maximum x 6\‘ 5" (3.28m x 1.96m) Doorway divide between bathroom and the cloakroom area, ceramic tiled to half wall level, double radiator, vinyl flooring, white suite comprising; panelled bath with chrome telephone style mixer tap and shower attachment, pedestal wash hand basin, wall light, frosted glazed window to side aspect, square opening leading to:
CLOAKROOM Window to rear, wall mounted boiler supplying domestic hot water and central heating (not tested), low level w.c., range of shelving.
MAIN LANDING Balustrade, internal door, leading to passageway, radiator, painted wooden panelling to walls, staircase rising to top floor:
BEDROOM 2 15\‘ 0" x 13\‘ 1" (4.57m x 3.99m) Sash style window to rear aspect overlooking courtyard, wood surround fireplace, ceiling coving, radiator with cover over, power points, dado rail, large walk-in wardrobe/cupboard with shelving and storage cupboards, interlinking door leading to drawing room.
DRAWING ROOM 18\‘ 1" x 13\‘ 1" (5.51m x 3.99m) Increasing to 14\‘0" maximum. Painted panelling to walls, dado rail, power points, interlinking door to bedroom, wood surround fireplace with slate hearth and exposed brick inlay, gas coal effect log burner, twin sash windows to front aspect, central ceiling rose, panelled door, dimmer switch.
TOP FLOOR Landing with balustrade, built-in dresser style unit with storage cupboards and shelving over, doors to primary rooms.
BEDROOM 3 15\‘ 0" x 9\‘ 4" (4.57m x 2.84m) Sash style windows to rear aspect with far reaching views towards the Spinnaker Tower and No.1 Building, central ceiling rose, wall lights, dado rail, power points, panelled door, walk-in wardrobe with hanging rail and shelving.
SHOWER ROOM 11\‘ 10" x 6\‘ 2" (3.61m x 1.88m) Raised plinth with corner shower cubicle with rail and curtain, sash style window to rear aspect, heated towel rail, raised divide with slate surface over, pedestal wash hand basin, low level w.c., access to loft space, range of glazed shelving.
BEDROOM 1 16\‘ 1" x 13\‘ 1" (4.9m x 3.99m) Twin sash style windows to front aspect, double radiator, wood surround fireplace with brick inlay and slate hearth, power points, panelled door, range of built-in wardrobes to one wall measuring approximately 1\‘7" in depth with hanging space and shelf.
BASEMENT / CELLAR Accessed from a doorway under the main staircase, leads down to a multiple rooms cellar with hallway and opening leading to:
FORMER WINE STORE 23\‘ 0" x 16\‘ 0" (7.01m x 4.88m) With a ceiling height of approximately 5\‘0" with beams to ceiling with central support, feature arch, former arched brick wine and beer keg / barrel stores, electric lighting, flagstone flooring, portioned wall leading to:
STORE ROOM 17\‘ 6" x 7\‘ 7" (5.33m x 2.31m) Wall mounted gas and electric meter, electric light.
OUTSIDE Directly to the rear, accessible from the inner lobby area/sun room and kitchen/breakfast room is a patio style garden with raised flower borders, two arch style gateways overlooking the grounds of the church, laid to flagstone and brick paviour with external cold water tap.