£475,000

Edward Road, St Leonards On Sea TN37

Magical and Vast Six Bedroom Victorian Sea Side Gem - CHAIN FREE

They say it’s not good to pick favourites but we're throwing caution to the wind with this one. Originally named the 'Campanile', this elegant and quirky seven bedroom seagull topped Victorian mansion bears stunning reminders of its landmark history. The interior, while in need of restoration, is awash with decadent, solid fixtures and fittings that each tells the story of a proud history. There's a huge self contained flat on the lower ground floor and gardens to both front and rear. This is before we even mention the lofty third floor tower which supplies panoramic views over surrounding land and sea. With effort, love and time, the space could be brought back to life to create an enchanting seaside getaway, family home or even a hotel - there's nothing faulty about this one!

Enter to the side of the building, having already passed through high pillars and regal railings that befit the exterior. A sunken green space to the left of the entrance path begs for your attention and there's access to the lower ground floor to the right (more about that later). Pause under the fanlight and prepare for a sharp intake of breath as you catch your first glimpse of that elegant and grand marble staircase. The ceilings are a dizzying 3.5 metres high and bear remoulded ornate cornicing. A shallow bay window to the right of the doorway illuminates the polite tiled motif 'Cave Canum' - (Beware the Dog). The first heart-stopping reception fronts the street into a double width bay window of almost floor to ceiling sash windows. Reaching the top of the glass, your eyes will carry on widening as you notice the gold leaf cornice work that crowns the space. Timber floors run throughout and there's a feature mantel along the right hand wall.

Back in the marble clad hallway you'll find a stunning 17th century carved door, legend to have been gifted by an eminent opera singing guest Jenny Lind. This opens into an impressively proportioned kitchen/diner which stretches 20ft to a rear aspect bay window. Modern yet eclectic cabinets run on both sides and there's a sizeable island for further cuisine couture. Your masterpieces will be taken care of on an eight ring gas range that would leave Ramsay reeling. Access to the pleasant garden is also offered to the rear.

At the end of the hall you'll discover what was originally the library. Still holding onto much of its rich dark wood cladding and detail, the space offers an exciting renovation project. The mantel sports original tiling and there's a wonderful square bay facing over the garden - the perfect place to begin penning your memoirs. A neat guest w.c precedes a deep storage point which, if unblocked, leads to the lower ground floor.

Slinking up the gently curving marble steps of the staircase, it’s not hard to imagine the swish of the ball gowns in days gone by. A large mottled lead detail window faces side flooding light in every direction. At the brim of the stairs sits a jaw dropping arched mirror which creates a positively cavernous sense of space. The master bedroom fronts the street with a linked dual aspect dressing room. The second vast bedroom peers over the garden. An adjoining en suite (also accessible from the hall) lavishly delivers a centrally placed free standing tub, his n hers circular wash hand basin, loo with concealed cistern and romantic side facing French doors. A period grate sits snuggly into one of the four curved corners. A handy guest shower room completes this floor.

The second floor gifts you two further front facing bedrooms. Each has romantic sloping eaves and fairytale arch dormer windows that afford you your first seascape. Behind this you'll find a storage space perfect for development into two en suites. A further larger bedroom with dainty feature fireplace and fitted storage faces rear over surrounding gardens. At the end of the landing you'll ascend a few steps to discover a laundry room and bedroom clad in Arts Nouveau tiling - it just keeps getting better. Saving the best for last, one final climb brings you to the jewel in the crown. With sweeping views on four sides, the third floor observatory supplies an unbeatable vantage point over the ocean and town. A broad expanse of sea merges with the pretty roof tops of St Leonards - perfect for bird watching, sun sets, storms or star gazing. The lower ground floor, currently used as a large one bedroom rental unit, offers access to a decked patio space and holds as much opportunity as the rest of the building.

The recently English Heritage restored and listed St Leonards Gardens, by Decimus Burton, is a pleasant seaside walk away the Hastings Country Park, a vast and extraordinary landscape that runs for miles along the coast, is only a couple of miles eastwards. The town is awash with traditional pubs, restaurants and hotels as well as some charming winding streets that beg to be explored. A blue plaque trail will make sure you see all the points of interest and there are a plethora of food and music festivals throughout the year. You can get to London by car or train in about 90 minutes and handsome Hastings is but a short hop.

Approximate Gross Internal Area: 408 square metres / 4392 square feet