An attractive, architect designed, one-off property with character. Spacious and gracious, quality build (1969) in Georgian style.
Five bedroom detached family home in over one third of an acre of mature garden. Just back off the seafront of Christchurch Bay and within easy reach of Milford on Sea village green.
Lovely home, surrounded by a large garden. The plot used to be the tennis court and shrubbery of the manor house in De la Warr Road. Legend has it that the property is in the vicinity of a healing well used by the Knight’s Templars. It is certainly a magical garden – much loved by wildlife, including many birds – some rare species. The house is called Nightingales because of the nightingales who return each year. Green woodpeckers and doves are other frequent visitors.
This character family home was updated and extended in 2001 to almost double the size. The property can be adapted to a number of different lifestyle requirements. An internal viewing is essential to appreciate what this property has to offer. One option would be to divide the property into two separate homes. There are already two staircases and two front doors. No structural change would be necessary.
Individually designed, it is in character with the other large one-off properties in the Whitby Road / Victoria Road area.
A major extension was completed in 2001, giving the house an L shape and providing two more bedrooms, plus two more bathrooms, a study and a large family / games room / office, plus an additional downstairs WC.
The older part of the property is built of Michelmersh hand made bricks surmounted by a tiled felted and insulated roof. The tiles are handmade Broseley tiles. The newer wing has matching Michelmersh bricks.
During the building of the extension, all the windows in the original part of the house were replaced with upvc double glazed units to match. The interior doors were also replaced with matching pine half glazed units.
The house occupies a sheltered position just back from the clifftop (300yds). It is far enough back to be safe from any high winds or tides. We hear the sea most days and have a sea ‘glimpse’ from one bedroom. Building a dormer or velux window into the roof space to ensure a much better view is a possibility.
Unusually for a home this near the coast, Nightingales has a large garden (over one third of an acre). It is within a 10 minute easy walk of the village centre, beaches and tennis club. The house has been recently painted throughout, in mainly neutral shades. There is a lot of light and space. An added bonus is that the garden soil is organic and has been for the past 33 years at least.
The well planned accommodation, with the benefit of ample power points and gas central heating, provides the following:
The house has two front doors. The original front entrance canopy porch and blue door leads to a Hall which in turn has doors to the Lounge, Dining Room, Kitchen / Conservatory, WC and stairs to the first floor of the West Wing. On the first floor there is a landing giving access to all rooms which comprise 3 bedrooms, one with en-suite. In addition, there is a large family bathroom.
The second white door leads to an outer Hall with doors to the Kitchen and to the Inner Hall, plus stairs to the first floor of the East Wing. The first floor has a landing giving access to two bedrooms, one is the master bedroom with walk-through dressing room and en-suite. The second bedroom has a shower room next to it.
The Inner Hall has doors to the Kitchen, Integral Garage, Study, WC, and a corridor leading to the Family Room / Office.
The house has a superb layout offering tremendous flexibility, with the possibility of being split into two for use as a guest suite for visitors or a separate living space for extended family. With some relatively minor adjustments, the new wing could be completely separated from the main house – and rented out as self-contained – or used to house a home business and offices. The space would also lend itself to a boutique B&B. For several years we ran a Retreat here – offering organic food. Guests from all over the world came to benefit from the unique atmosphere.
West Wing - Ground Floor
Wooden front door with canopy porch
Hall
CH radiator, original solid oak strip floor, understairs cupboard, telephone point. Smoke detector. Stairs to first floor.
Doors to:
Cloakroom
WC and wash hand basin - 63” x 40” (1.6m x 1m)
Lounge
17’ 7” x 15’ (5.36m x 4.56m) into deep bay window. Fireplace and hearth with Adam style surround, mantel and jambs. 2 CH radiators. South facing patio door to rear garden and West facing bay window. Plus North facing window. A very light and airy room. Gas fire with remote control. TV aerial. Built in bookshelves. Original solid oak strip floor. Smoke detector.
Dining Room
About 13’ 1” into bay x 10’. (3.98m x 3.06m)
South facing with curved bay window. CH radiator. Original solid oak strip floor. Telephone point.
Kitchen
South facing. About 11’ 8” x 10’ 2” (3.56m x 3.10m). Franke rock sink with mixer tap and cupboard under. Neff built-in cooker and Neff dual fuel hob. Worktops with pine cupboards under. Wall units. Walk in larder cupboard. 2 CH radiators. Walk in boot and coat cupboard. Electricity meter cupboard. Door to East Wing outer hall. Archway to Conservatory. Pine board floor.
Conservatory / Garden Room (Dining area)
13’ 6” x 11’ 3” (4.12m x 3.44m)
South and West facing. Double glazed panels on a low brick wall with pvc roof. Fitted blinds. Pine board floor. TV point. Double patio doors to garden. 2 CH radiators. Door to East Wing inner hall.
West Wing - First Floor
Landing
CH radiator. Smoke detectors x 2. Trap to roof space (part boarded).
Doors to:
Bedroom 3
South and West aspects. 11’9” x 11’ 6” (3.58m x 3.50m). CH radiator. Built-in wardrobe cupboards. Canadian pine stripped floor boards. Telephone point. Smoke detector.
En Suite Bathroom
11’ 9” into shower x 5’ 10” (3.58m x 1.77m)
Window with blind to North aspect. Three piece suite comprising of a WC, hand basin, Mira electric shower with fitted shower screen, part tiled walls, extractor fan, towel radiator.
Bedroom 4
South aspect. 11’ 9” x 11’ x 7” (3.58m x 3.52m). CH radiator. Canadian pine boards under carpet. Smoke detector.
Bedroom 5
South aspect. 12’ 3” x 9’ (3.74m x 2.74m). CH radiator. Canadian pine boards under carpet. Built in wardrobe cupboard. Built-in hand basin. Easily accommodates a small double bed.
Bathroom
8’ 9” x 8’ 7” (2.66m x 2.61m). Obscure window to North aspect. Triangular window to East aspect. Four piece suite comprising of a WC, bidet, hand basin, vintage re-enamelled cast-iron bath with mixer taps and hand held shower attachment, part-tiled walls, radiator, cupboard with worktop and wall unit above. Airing cupboard.
East Wing - Ground Floor
Brick Porch
7’ 8” x 3’ 3” (2.34m x 0.99m ) – pine boot cupboard with tiled worktop above. Gas meter cupboard. Outside tap. UPVC door with windows either side.
Outer Hall
CH radiator, engineered wood real oak floor, Smoke detector. Stairs to first floor.
Doors to Kitchen and: Inner Hall
CH radiator, smoke detector, understairs cupboard with shelving, telephone point, CH control panel and thermostat. Control panel for solar powered security alarm. Engineered wood real oak floor.
Doors to Conservatory and: Integral Garage
20’ 7” x 8’ 10” (6.27m x 2.69m)
With Hormann sectional garage door, light and power, two wall mounted Baxi boilers coupled in tandem, cupboard with hot water pump and tank, plumbing for washing machine and outside vent for tumble dryer. Storage shelves at far end. Carbon Monoxide detector. Two obscured UPVC double glazed windows to East aspect, obscure window to Outer Hall.
Study
12’ 10” x 12’ 9” (3.90m x 3.88m). 2 x CH radiators, telephone point, obscure glass window to corridor, window to Conservatory and window to West aspect. Could be used as a dining room as it is just off the Conservatory / Kitchen.
Cloakroom
WC and wash hand basin, obscure window to East aspect.
Corridor
13’ x 3’ 7” (3.96 x 1.09m) CH radiator, obscure window to East aspect. Leading to:
Family Room
16’6” x 13’ 1” (5.02m x 3.98m)
2 x CH radiators, 2 x telephone points. Windows to South and West aspects – overlooking back garden. Could be used as a games room, office, fitness room, or converted into a ground floor bedroom with en-suite.
East Wing - First Floor
Landing
CH radiator, Velux window, smoke detector, engineered wood real oak floor. Trap to roof space.
Doors to: Bedroom 2
13’ 5” x 10’ 4” (4.10m x 3.16m). CH radiator, Velux window, built in wardrobe cupboard and shelving. Small door to storage space in eaves.
Shower Room
8’ 6” x 7’ 9" (2.59m x 2.36m). Velux window to South aspect. Three piece suite comprising of WC, hand basin, shower with fitted glass shower screen, part tiled walls, extractor fan, towel radiator. Built in cupboard.
Note:- This shower room could easily be made into an en-suite to Bedroom 2 by adding a door into the stud wall. The shower cubicle was bespoke and is much larger than the norm at 35” (89cm) wide x 46” (118cm) long x 77” (196cm) high.
Bedroom 1 Master
14’ 8” x 14’ 1” into dormer (4.48m x 4.30m). 2 x CH radiator, dormer window and Velux window to West aspect. Two small doors into eaves storage. Telephone point. Built-in shelves, currently used for books.
Archway to: Dressing Room
11’ 1” x 6’ 4” (3.38m x 1.93m). Fitted wardrobe cupboards on either side.
Archway to: En Suite Bathroom
13’ 10” x 8’ 2” (4.22m x 2.49m). Window to South and obscure window to West aspect. Four piece suite comprising of WC, hand basin, bidet, bath with mixer taps, part tiled walls, extractor fan, towel radiator. Built in cupboards along length of East wall, giving plenty of storage – plus an airing cupboard.
Front Garden
5 bar gate leading to the front of the property which has a wide border next to the front fence with mature English oak and Holm oak (evergreen) trees. The small copse at the front forms a woodland habitat where primroses grow in Spring and bluebells in early Summer. There are also some bay trees and holly.
A large gravel driveway provides off road parking for several cars / boat / caravan and at the far end is an area of lawn with double gates to the back garden. The integral garage opens on to the gravel drive. The space between the garage and border fence is blocked off by a high fence with lockable entry door – leading to the back garden.
Rear Garden
The rear garden is a particular feature of the property and faces south towards the sea. On most days the sound of the waves on the beach can be clearly heard, along with bird song.
It is enclosed by panelled fencing and mature trees and shrubs, offering a high degree of privacy and seclusion. The garden is loved by wildlife – especially birds. The garden is laid mainly to lawn with various and attractive well stocked flower and shrub borders. There is a large paved patio at the rear of the property. To the side of the conservatory is an outside tap and access to front via double wooden gates with an opening width of 10ft (3.05m). This allows vehicles access to the back lawn and cars and even small trucks can drive right round – due to the well-drained soil providing a firm surface.
The other side of the house has a small fence with lockable single door let into it – leading to the front drive.
There is a pear tree, some raspberry canes, bushes of blackcurrant and gooseberry and some wild strawberries, and loganberry canes. Plus two cultivated areas for vegetables. There are borders that we have planted. The numerous camellia bushes date from the original manor house.
This will be the 33rd year we have grown vegetables without using chemical fertilisers, pesticides etc. There are many different types of bay tree – some reaching higher than 20ft – so you will never run out of bay leaves. The tallest tree is a Swiss pine, which has just overtaken the Eucalyptus trees. Other trees include Sycamore, acer and a strawberry tree. There are three cherry blossoms and numerous May blossom trees. It is a very pretty, English garden with roses, snowdrops, pansies, daffodils, crocuses, lily of the valley, violets, honeysuckle, lavender, crocosomias, rhododendrons and hydrangeas – to name a few.
The rear garden also contains:
Summer House / Garden Office in pine by Dunster House
3.7m long x 2.65m wide (12’ x 8’ 8”)
Only three years old and decorated in the style of a beach hut. Complete with power points and lighting. Full wall insulation means the chalet is usable throughout the year. On a concrete base. Two side windows to North aspect and double opening half glass doors to West aspect. Perfect for a home office, sun room, games room or treatment room.
Large Shed / Workshop
3.7m wide x 4.27m deep (12' x 14'). On a concrete base complete with power point, rcb and light. Windows to West aspect.
Potting Shed in Cedar
3.05m long x 1.83m wide (10' x 6'). On a concrete base and has a built in worktop. Windows to West aspect.
Log Store
1.65mm wide x 1.60m deep x 1.98m high (5' 5" x 5' 3" x 6' 6"). On a concrete base and suitable for logs, garden equipment etc. Open front could also be converted into a gazebo by the addition of a half glazed door .
Plot Size
The property has a frontage of approx 95ft (28.96m) and a depth of approx 160ft (48.77m).
Fantastic Location
The house is beautifully situated between the sea and forest. Just over the road, the Dane Stream offers woodland walks all the way to the village centre.
On a more practical level, the area is well served whatever your household needs. Banks, petrol stations and diy stores are all within easy reach. If you want to eat out (we have everything from fish & chips to award winning restaurants). The vibrant Community Centre (with Internet café and cinema) has a wide range of activities if you don’t want to use the car to go further afield. Drive or cycle 3.5 miles and you’re in the forest where you can ride or walk. Ponies, cattle and donkeys roam at will and have right of way. For coastal lovers, Milford is an ideal location.
You can cross to the Isle of Wight by local ferry from Keyhaven or Lymington. The Needles are framed at the end of De La Warr Road, just a few hundred yards away.
We can also recommend archery with Sway Bowmen. The beauty of Milford is that you are able to relax in beautiful coastal surroundings – within easy reach of modern day communications and travel networks.
Council Tax
Band G
Services
All mains services are connected. At present there are three telephone lines serving the property two of which are active. Broadband is connected.