Property description
PROPERTY SUMMARY The history of 'Branscombe' dates back to the autumn of 1922, when an application for permission to build the irregular shaped bungalow was submitted by Montague Gibbs, a prolific Portsmouth builder of the time. Extensive building was taking place in the area at that time, in which the architect, Trevor Tatham and Montague Gibbs were heavily involved with. The original plans show a single storey three bedroom bungalow with, unusual for the era, an integral garage. The shape was sympathetic to the plot limitations, with many differing angles and levels of pitch in the roof. It was considered at the time that the location for the property was ideal, situated at the old 'Five Ways' junction, it provided ready access to the sea and the High Street. Montague Gibbs died in March 1950 after making a mark on the local village and surrounding area, being involved with the Council at the highest level, he had, in his time in the village made a difference to the lives of its residence and had changed the landscape with his buildings. It is believed that the new owner, Commander John Fletcher RN, completed the expansion into the first floor in the late 1950's. The next registered owners were Mr & Mrs Horne, who purchased Branscombe in 1990.
The property was further sold in 1995 to the current owners who have made a number of alterations that will ensure that the house remains an important part of the 'on the Solent architectural landscape'. The permanent presence of the patriotic Union flag, has made it memorable. The current living accommodation is arranged over two primary floors with the living space including the summer house extending to a total of 2,758 sq ft, incorporating the integral garage. It sits almost centrally on the plot of 0.22 of an acre with manicured hedges and gardens on all aspects. 'Branscombe' has a colonial feel with a wraparound veranda on three aspects with the original quarry tile flooring, it has been sympathetically renovated and extended by the current owner with an abundance of original style features including ornate fireplaces, stripped pine floorboards and doors, picture rails and a feature minstrels' gallery on the first floor overlooking the hallway/reception. The deceptively spacious accommodation has five bedrooms and five reception rooms as well as a large central hallway, there are three bathrooms and an attractive fitted kitchen with feature 'butler' style sink. The gardens are well stocked and secluded, mainly laid to lawn with mature trees and manicured hedges, borders and feature seating areas, accessed via a double gateway is off road car parking for numerous cars and access to the integral garage. Located within easy access of local amenities including post office, bank, bars and restaurants, a supermarket and as well as being part of the bustling community, schools of all levels within a few miles, bus route links and also within close proximity of providing access to A/M27 and M3, the mainline railway links can be found in nearby Fareham, being approximately 100 yards from Lee-on-the-Solent beach, early internal viewing of this interesting and historic building is strongly recommended.
ENTRANCE Brick wall with matching pillars and panel fencing over, arched pedestrian gateway leading to a circular pathway with central flower bed, flower beds to either side and lawns, to the left hand side of the property is a range of shrubs and lawns with covered veranda wrapping around the front of the house, twin vehicular gates with brick retaining walls to either side and panelling over leading to large turning area and parking for numerous cars.
COVERED PORCH Main 'black' front door with feature leadlight frosted glazed circular panel with matching windows to either side leading to:
RECEPTION / HALLWAY 22' 6" x 12' 5" (6.86m x 3.78m) Stripped and stained floorboards main front door with circular inlay and light with windows to either side, high ceiling with some panelling, two radiators with covers over, balustrade double legged staircase rising to first floor, doors to primary rooms, feature central fireplace with granite inlay and hearth with log burner, power points, alarm panel,
LIVING ROOM 15' 0" x 12' 0" (4.57m x 3.66m) Dual aspect glazed windows overlooking garden and driveway, radiators, stripped and stained floorboards, panelled door with high handle, power points, feature wood surround fireplace with cast iron grate and canopy with tiled hearth, picture rail, slight angles to wall.
BEDROOM 4 15' 7" x 10' 0" (4.75m x 3.05m) Double glazed window overlooking garden, stripped and stained floorboards, picture rail, panelled door with high handle, radiator, power points, surround fireplace with cast iron grate and tiled hearth.
DRAWING ROOM 15' 2" x 14' 10" (4.62m x 4.52m) Angle to one wall with double glazed window with radiator under overlooking garden, twin double glazed doors leading to rear garden, stripped and stained floorboards, panelled door with high handle, angled corner with chimney breast, surround fireplace with tiled inlay and hearth, log fire (not tested), dimmer switch, power points.
BEDROOM 3 14' 6" x 14' 1" (4.42m x 4.29m) Angle to walls with maximum measurements, stripped and stained floorboards, double glazed window to rear aspect overlooking garden with radiator under, ceiling coving, corner chimney breast with surround fireplace, cast iron inlay, tiles and tiled hearth, wash hand basin with towel rail under and matching legs, power points, panelled door with high handle.
SHOWER ROOM Corner shower cubicle with panelled doors, vanity wooden unit with storage cupboards under and inset wash hand basin, low level w.c with wooden seat, wooden flooring, double glazed frosted glass windows overlooking garden, heated towel rail, high level Dimplex heater, panelled door with high handle.
DINING ROOM 15' 0" x 12' 8" (4.57m x 3.86m) Panelled door with high handle leading to hallway/reception, double glazed window overlooking entrance with radiator and cover over, twin double glazed doors leading to front garden, chimney breast with feature fire surround, inlay tiles and canopy, picture rail, power points, door leading to:
KITCHEN 20' 0" x 9' 3" (6.1m x 2.82m) Original stripped and stained style dresser to one wall with open shelving, drawers and cupboards under with bookshelf, ceiling spotlights, Karndean flooring, door to utility room, twin glazed doors leading to sun lounge/conservator, comprehensive range of cream fronted wall and floor units with wood block work surface over, inset enamel 1½ bowl 'Carron' sink unit with mixer tap and cupboard space under, space for dishwasher, two wall mounted units with glazed panelled doors, double glazed window overlooking garden and patio area, space for free standing Range style cooker with tiled splashback, glass and brush steel canopy and light over, range of drawer units and storage cupboards, space for American style fridge/freezer, ceiling spotlights, square opening leading to:
BREAKFAST ROOM 15' 0" x 9' 3" (4.57m x 2.82m) Feature vaulted ceiling measuring approximately 12' in height with exposed roof support rods, double glazed windows to two corner aspects with further twin double glazed doors leading to patio area and garden, reclaimed wooden flooring, radiator with cover over, second double radiator, ceiling spotlights, wall lights, power points.
UTILITY ROOM Tiled flooring, skylight window, space for washing machine with storage cupboards over, power points, central heating control switch.
SUN LOUNGE / CONSERVATORY 16' 8" x 12' 2" (5.08m x 3.71m) 'K' glass roof with skylight windows, low retaining walls with wooden sills over, twin double glazed doors leading to rear garden, windows to all aspects with top openers, blinds and canopy, wall mounted 'Debonair' air conditioning and heating unit, brick effect wooden flooring, radiator with cover over.
SEPARATE CLOAKROOM Skylight window, high level w.c with chrome furniture, wall mounted wash hand basin, glass tiled splashback, Karndean flooring, wall light.
FIRST FLOOR Landing with balustrade, some painted panelling to walls, access to loft storage space, stripped and stained skirting boards, feature balustrade open 'Minstrels Gallery' landing overlooking reception / hallway, double glazed window to front aspect with radiator under, slight eaves to ceiling, double radiator.
BEDROOM 2 11' 0" x 14' 4" decreasing to 6'9" (3.35m x 4.37m) Measurement taken from approximately 5'3" off floor level with slight eaves to ceiling restricting headroom, central chimney breast, louvre doored access into storage cupboard to one side with further wooden door leading to storage eaves, power points, radiator, double glazed window to front aspect, wooden flooring (under carpet), opening leading to:
EN-SUITE SHOWER ROOM Corner shower cubicle, fully tiled, panelled doors, ceiling spotlights over, contemporary style wash hand basin with mixer tap and towel rail under, concealed cistern w.c, tiled surrounds, tiled floor, access to loft space.
STUDY / BEDROOM 5 9' 1" x 7' 8" (2.77m x 2.34m) High level skylight windows, angel to one wall, double radiator, power points, access to storage eaves, built-in cupboard with hot water cylinder and range of shelving, panelled door, borrowed light window to landing.
MASTER BEDROOM 24' 1" maximum x 11' 0" (7.34m x 3.35m) Measurements taken from approximately 5'2" off floor level with slight eaves to ceiling, panelled door access to storage eaves/wardrobes, two radiators with covers over, double glazed window to front aspect, panelled door, power points, wooden flooring (under carpet), door leading to:
FEATURE EN-SUITE BATHROOM 12' 10" maximum x 7' 8" (3.91m x 2.34m) Angles to walls, panelled door with high handle, Velux skylight window, contemporary wash hand basin with oval sink and mixer tap, storage shelving to either side and cupboard space under, shaver point, close coupled w.c with twin flush, claw footed bath, tiled surrounds, 1½ size shower cubicle with panelled door, Karndean flooring, double radiator.
OUTSIDE Access via an arched gateway leads to a circular pathway with central flower bed, flower beds to either side and lawns, to the left hand side of the property is a range of shrubs and lawns with covered veranda wrapping around the front of the house with quarry tiled flooring, twin vehicular gates with brick retaining wall and panelling over leading to large turning area and parking for numerous cars. leading to a further lawn and secondary arch top gateway, in the right hand corner is covered pergola with tiled flooring and curved pathway leading to primary patio area, external lighting and power point, outside cold water tap, curved step and twin doors leading to the breakfast room, fish pond with water feature over, the garden wraps around the conservatory, laid to lawn with wooden fencing and manicured hedge with raised flower borders, shrubs and evergreens, wooden shed, further summerhouse with manicured hedges with further sheds behind. The manicured hedge and lawns wrap around the house and is accessed from the sun lounge and drawing room with cold outside water butt and further wooden shed, curved patio. The plot extends 0.22 of an acre.
SUMMER HOUSE 9' 8" x 7' 6" (2.95m x 2.29m) Twin doors, window, power and lighting.
INTEGRAL GARAGE 15' 9" x 10' 0" (4.8m x 3.05m) Windows to side aspect, wall mounted 'Worcester' boiler supplying domestic hot water and central heating (not tested), fluorescent tube lighting, cold water tap.