For Sale

Elvetham Road, Birmingham

Guide Price £1,300,000

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Double fronted and proud, it offers the most generous of elegant living spaces both inside and out, where its breathtaking gardens will leave you smitten.

Handsome Fawsley is steeped in history – just check out the coveted blue plaque on the frontage, awarded by the Birmingham Civic society, which commemorates Industrialist and co-founder of the Birmingham Shakespeare Library, Samuel Timmins, who had the Victorian home built in 1851. Situated in the Edgbaston Conservation Area, Fawsley has quite the country feel. It’s nestled on a leafy road, with no through traffic, adding to the sense of tranquillity. In fact, so peaceful is it, you could well be forgiven for forgetting you are only a mere few minutes walk from the very heart of the city.

There’s ample parking on the driveway for two cars, and the attractive entrance porch leads through to the large hallway with its stunning, original Minton tiled floor and grand vinyl stag. You’ll find a downstairs WC just off here, adorned in Timmins’ tool catalogue wallpaper, and a wine cellar complete with original racks and labels, alongside a Victorian drying rack. Fawsley has been extensively renovated with love and immaculate attention to detail, whilst sustainable solar panels and a Carbon friendly Biomass Boiler provide all the benefits of eco living. What's more, the property is being sold with no onward chain.

Period features abound in the three spacious reception rooms, from roaring, open fires, and original cornicing and ceiling roses to stripped, solid wood floors. Double height ceilings provide the perfect canvas for modern interior design and they are all stunning in their own right. Both the living room and Veuve Clicquot style dining room are beautifully bright, thanks to double height bay windows with New England style shutters. And, in the cosy lounge, extensive bookcases invite you to pour yourself a glass of your favourite tipple and dip into a novel or two.

Bespoke, solid oak cabinetry and black granite worktops make for a quality finish in the kitchen, with all necessary appliances, an American style fridge freezer, and Karndean flooring underfoot. Radiators juxtapose between the vertical contemporary and Victorian column style, blending the lines between modernity and classic. There’s a large range cooker to whip up a hearty brunch, and a breakfast bar to feast on it. Meanwhile, a smart utility room with Belfast sink keeps laundry days in check. But, chores aside, what we love most about this space is the nifty way the window extends fully open, transforming it into a drinks bar for parties.

A real sense of boutique hotel style can be found on the first floor, where each of the five bedrooms is individually named. The 'Victoria' features large, double height bay windows, which take in views of the rear garden. Fitted wardrobes and original built-in shelving keep everywhere shipshape and there’s plenty of space for a King size bed too, beneath the chandelier. The 'Edgbaston' also enjoys garden views, whilst The 'Timmins' looks out to the tree-lined front. 'Church Road' boasts its own staircase and leads into the den with its characterful sloping ceilings and there’s storage aplenty in each and every room.

In The '1851' principal bedroom, handmade fitted wardrobes flank the King size bed. The en suite features New England style shutters and solid wood floors and a capacious, double shower. And a spiral staircase leads from '1851' to the mezzanine area, ideal for the ultimate home office, and into the den.

The port hole window adds a nautical theme to the sanctuary of the family bathroom, with its twin basins and walk-in double shower for busy mornings, and roll top bath where you can indulge in a little ‘me time’ after a long day.

The stunning landscaped garden is the crème de la crème of al fresco entertaining spaces. There’s a spot out here to satiate every wish, from the bespoke hot tub area with bespoke canopy, to the sunken wildlife pond, terrace and dawn-to-dusk sun deck. Even muddy paws are well looked after with an outside Belfast sink. There’s side access round to the front as well, invaluable for cyclists and gardeners alike, whilst the wood shed keeps Fawsley’s fireplaces toasty.

Mature Ash and Robinia trees feature alongside well-stocked borders, and a pretty path leads to a large, central lawn. Anyone for croquet? Meander through the mature apple arch to the kitchen gardens, alive with fruit bushes and vegetable patches, then take five to enjoy the soothing water feature in the seating area here.

• Three words :  Victorian. Contemporary. Splendour.

Our favourite part
The notable heritage, which flows through its veins.