Spinney Hill, Addlestone, KT15

Some homes just have a lovely feel about them the moment you walk through the door. This is definitely one of those. From the outside it’s the kind of Victorian red-brick semi people always seem to fall for. Inside, it has all the things you hope for in a home of this era. High ceilings, fireplaces full of character and little reminders of the home’s history throughout. At the same time, it has been really well looked after and gently updated so it works perfectly for modern family life too. The sitting room is the sort of space that quickly becomes everyone’s favourite. In the winter the fireplace makes it feel wonderfully cosy, while during the day the whole room fills with natural light. It’s easy to picture quiet evenings here with the fire on, or cosying up to watch a film. Then you move through to the kitchen, which is where the house shows real personality. Instead of playing it safe, the owners chose a beautiful blue kitchen and it works so well. It is such a refreshing colour and it sits perfectly with the tiles. It is the sort of kitchen that feels welcoming straight away and it has plenty of space for everyday life to unfold. Just off the kitchen you’ll find the family bathroom, which is a really good size and nicely tucked away from the main living spaces. It’s fitted with a bath and shower over the top, making it perfect for both quick morning starts and long, relaxed soaks at the end of the day. Having it on the ground floor also works surprisingly well for busy family life. Next door the dining room looks straight out onto the garden. It is easy to imagine family meals here, birthday dinners, or long lazy weekend lunches while the doors or windows are open and the garden feels like part of the house. And speaking of the garden… it is a bit of a showstopper. At around 150 feet long and south facing, it just seems to keep going. There is plenty of space for children to run around, room for summer barbecues and gatherings with friends, and still space left for quiet corners to sit with a coffee. Gardens of this size are becoming harder and harder to find, and once you have one it is very difficult to give it up. Upstairs there are three really good sized bedrooms, which is always refreshing to see in a Victorian home. There is no tiny box room squeezed in here. Each bedroom feels like a proper space. The layout works nicely as it is, though there is also the option in the future to create a Jack and Jill bathroom between bedrooms one and two if someone wanted to add that extra touch. Location wise you are nicely placed between Addlestone and Ottershaw. Addlestone in particular has had a real glow up recently with the Light cinema, restaurants and cafés bringing a new buzz to the town. Row Town’s local shops and schools are also within walking distance, which makes everyday life nice and easy. What does the current owner love? One of the main elements that first attracted them to the house was the character you get with a Victorian home, especially those fireplaces. Also, that incredible garden. They know finding another one quite like it will not be easy! What do I love? One thing I personally love about the house is the way the different levels between some of the rooms give it character and a sense of flow. It is one of those subtle things that reminds you that this is a home with history rather than a modern box.