ECHOES of an elegant Victorian past – and the joys of living the English Riviera lifestyle – meet at this splendid detached villa in Solsbro Road, Torquay.
The beautifully-proportioned property, Seaham Hall, offers many possibilities and permutations: at present there’s a generous main residence, plus a self-contained unit and a further garden flat, The whole is enhanced by original features such as wide timber doors, high ceilings, quarry tiles, marble fireplaces, cornicing, stripped pine floors, and dado rails.
Included in the principal part of the house are a 22ft drawing room and a dining room, both with bay windows, a garden lounge with French windows to a sun terrace, a morning room with fitted alcove bookshelves, a home office, and a smart new kitchen/breakfast room with cream-coloured units and original stripped-pine floor.
There are four first-floor bedrooms – all en suite – and a possible fifth bedroom, or playroom, on the ground floor. A self- contained flat occupies one side on the first floor, comprising kitchen, shower room, double bedroom and sitting room, while the garden flat offers a spacious 24ft sitting room/kitchen, double bedroom and bathroom. John Lake (01803 328899) reports that this section of the property has been providing a healthy letting income.
As to the attractive grounds, the agent says the lawns include “five of the largest palm trees ever seen by the company and believed to date from Victorian times.” The villa is approached over a drive with plenty of parking space. The guide price is Pounds 725,000.