4 Bed Detached House For Sale

This smart four-bedroom semi-detached house in Addiscombe, Croydon, combines generous Edwardian proportions with ornamentation inspired by the arts and crafts movement. Extending over 1,800 sq ft, stained glass, carved balustrades, and original ceramic tiles characterise the interior spaces, while outside, a large garden is planted with a leafy oak tree and an array of fruit trees. The house is within easy walking distance of some of Croydon’s best green spaces, and local transport links connect to central London in less than 20 minutes, making this house a wonderful city retreat. 



Setting the Scene 



The Edwardian era, lasting from 1901 to 1910, coincided with the height of the arts and crafts movement. As such, the architectural decoration of the time became heavily influenced by the movement’s desire to return to craftmanship, emphasise the beauty of nature, and champion both simplicity and utility. Edwardian houses are characterised by their large lateral plans, bright living rooms and wide halls, a shift in style from previous Victorian traditions.



This house, built circa 1910, is a fine example of the style with its red brick construction, decorative half-timbering, decorative timber porch, floral motif-stained glass, and hand-carved balustrades. 



The Grand Tour 



The house sits on a leafy avenue lined with plane trees. In typical Edwardian fashion, the house’s front door sits under a covered porch, defined by hand-carved white painted timber fascia with cut-out decoration. The door, fitted with original stained glass in shades of soft green and vivid red, opens to the hallway. Here, the original deep-toned ceramic tiles running underfoot have been wonderfully maintained, adding to the sense of grandeur in the well-proportioned entrance. Leading from the hallway are two reception rooms, a kitchen and dining room and a little WC. 



At the front of the plan is the living room. Here, high ceilings and an impressive box bay window with stained glass transoms make for a spacious and bright room. The original cornicing and picture rail have been maintained, and along one wall, two charming stained glass casement windows are nestled in alcoves, a decorative detail in keeping with the arts and crafts tradition of the time.  



The second reception room is to the rear of the plan. Broad boards of smoked oak run underfoot, and walls are painted in a combination of soft white and 'Down Pipe' by Farrow and Ball. Spanning the room, a wide arch with moulded detailing defines two spaces that could be arranged as a seating area, dining area or perhaps a library space. Beyond the arch, a row of casement windows and a set of double-glazed doors open to the mature garden, framing views of the spring bluebells, snowdrops and purple crocus beyond, and making a wonderful connection with the leafy surroundings. Drenched in light, this side of the room would make a wonderful spot for relaxing with a book. 



Also overlooking the back garden is the kitchen and dining room. The open-plan space marries original details with contemporary fittings, making it an excellent area for cooking and entertaining. At one end of the room, a Rotpunkt kitchen with neutral-toned cabinetry is equipped with two ovens, an induction hob and a double sink. Two Velux windows light the space. At the other end of the room is the dining area, where a fitted pine cabinet, thought to be part of the original breakfast room of the house, provides useful storage and would make a handy bar. Here, a stable-style door opens to the garden. 



From the hallway, a wide staircase winds to the first floor; its sweeping arrangement, hand-carved balustrades, newel posts and stringer make it a wonderful focal point in the house. Four double bedrooms and a family bathroom are arranged around a central landing. From the landing there is access to a large attic, for which there is planning permission for two further double bedrooms and a bathroom. Details of the planning permission can be found here.



The primary bedroom is located at the front of the plan. Edwardian details continue in this room; a bow window with stained glass transom lights overlooks the leafy street, and an original cast-iron fireplace is finished with soft yellow tiles and a matching hearth. Along one wall are a row of built-in wardrobes and a stripped pine door leading to an en suite shower room. Two more double bedrooms are at the rear of the house, looking over a neighbouring golden-rain tree and a spring-flowering magnolia. Both rooms are fitted with built-in storage and original fireplace surrounds. At the front of the plan is another bedroom with space for a double bed, but it could also make for a lovely nursery.



In the bathroom, the rolltop bath, cast-iron radiator, and sash window echo the historic origins of the house and the room is dressed in white tiles and soft peach walls making for a warm and bright atmosphere. 



The Great Outdoors



Extending from the rear of the house is a mature back garden planted with Virginia Creeper, Japanese laurel and mahonia. The mature oak tree and neighbouring sequoia, gingko and golden-rain trees provide a great sense of privacy for the lawn, which is awash with bluebells come spring. At the end of the garden, a Rhino greenhouse surrounded by mulberry, fig, elder and apple trees makes an ideal spot for growing herbs and vegetables, while at the other, a potting shed provides useful storage space.  



At the front of the house, there is a large drive with space for two cars and fitted with an electric charge point. The drive is bordered with an array of lavenders, which become alive with honey bees every summer, as well as blue and white agapanthus, autumn flowing anemones and self seeding cosmos. Planted in front of the porch there is flowering Chinese Dogwood tree, with pretty white flowers.



Out and About 



The house is ideally placed for some of Croydon’s best green spaces. On Northampton Road itself, there is an entrance to the Addiscombe Recreation Ground, which has a children’s playground, football pitches and tennis courts. Lloyd Park is only a 15-minute walk away; a park run is hosted in the 114-acre parkland with mature trees and woodland. For those more inclined to a formal garden, Heathfield Garden, with its manor house, is nearby, as is Coombe Wood Garden which has a woodland, an ornamental garden, streams and a fishpond to explore. Opposite Coombe Wood is the much-loved Coach House Cafe which makes a perfect stop for coffee. Addington Hills, London's largest heathland, is just over a mile away. Its 130 acres are planted with bell heather and gorse, and gentle climb here leads to viewpoint with long reaching views over central London.



For daily amenities, Addiscombe high street is only x-minutes on foot. Here, in addition to supermarkets, pharmacies and a post office, there is an independent butcher, a greengrocer, a florist and a bounty of cafes. The nearby Surrey Street Market, one of the oldest street markets in Britain, has recently undergone a £1.1 million refurbishment and is open six days a week. The opening of BOXPARK Croydon in 2016 spurred a flurry of new restaurant openings, including Fern which serves seasonal small plates and uses fresh ingredients from some of London's best producers. Another Croydon favourite is the The Store which plates a wonderful roast dinner every Sunday. 



Northampton Road is a 20-minute walk from East Croydon station, connecting to London Bridge in 15 minutes, London Victoria in 17 minutes and Gatwick Airport in 15 minutes. A little further afield is West Croydon station, which runs towards Canada Water, Shoreditch High Street and Highbury & Islington. Croydon is part of London’s tram network, connecting it to Wimbledon and Beckenham, and the house is only a five-minute walk from the nearest stop in Sandilands, which connects to both of Croydon's tram lines. It is a 40-minute drive to Gatwick Airport. 



Council Tax Band: F