Bromham Road, Bedford, MK40

ELEGANT 19TH CENTURY TOWNHOUSE, WITH GARDEN STUDIO AND PLENTY OF PARKING SPACE – 500 YARDS FROM BEDFORD RAILWAY STATION

A substantial, 5-bedroom, 4-storey home of some 3000 sq. ft, with garage and gravelled parking for several cars at the front and a lovely garden, complete with timber studio, at the back. The White House stands, almost hidden and well back from the road, within a mile of every facility and amenity of the county market town of Bedford, including the railway station, just 500 yards away, and great schools, both state and private.

Commuting from The White House could hardly be easier. Following a 5-minute stroll to the railway station, you can be in London in 40 minutes. And the school run will be a thing of the past. Walk the 500 yards with the children to their little primary school, rated ‘Good’ in all areas by Ofsted, as is the catchment secondary school at Biddenham a mile away. The outstanding Free School and the world-renowned Harpur Trust private schools are all walkable, too.

The town centre is a few hundred yards from your front door, and a choice of supermarkets is just over half a mile. Wander to the quirky Castle Quarter, with its independent shops, artisan baker and butcher, and to one of the finest river embankments in the Country, alongside the wonderful Great Ouse – walk, cycle or boat for miles along the river. Few towns have such beautiful Victorian parks. Theatres, galleries, gyms, pool and other sporting facilities are all walkable, along with an abundance of pubs, restaurants and music venues.

Since The White House was built by Phineas Williams in 1845 the number of owners has been in single figures. The house was extended to the side in late-Victorian times. For forty years, when its attached neighbour was a surgery, it was the home and business premises of Frank Ralph, a chemist. And this is the first opportunity since the turn of the millennium for any other fortunate family to live here. Once you move in, it’s very difficult to leave.

MORE ABOUT THE PROPERTY

So close to the hustle and bustle of Bedford life, yet as soon as you turn into the extensive, gravelled driveway, screened by pretty rose acacia, spring-blossoming cherry plum and variegated holly trees, as well as an array of flowering shrubs, the sense of seclusion is tangible.

Your new home is the more striking for it being barely visible from the road. Though built in the mid-19th century, the Georgian influence is unmistakable, with its window hood, pediment and mouldings standing proud of its stone block fascia, painted white naturally, one of the sliding sash windows high up at the top noticeably smaller in what was the servant’s bedroom; today’s tilt and turn, double-glazed windows are a lot easier to clean than those in olden days.

You have a choice of entrances but step up from the lovely Victorian red bricks underfoot at the front, through the porch, with its bellpull and subtle, stained glass onto the wooden floor of the hall, with its Lincrusta wall coverings and original doors, and it’s clear that the understated elegance continues inside. The beautiful staircase, with its gracefully curved hardwood handrail and plaster underside, takes you up to the main bedroom suite, the other lovely, spacious bedrooms, the spa bath and treetop views. And down to the study, the limestone-floored kitchen, with its marble-topped island, and the peaceful, light-filled garden room, which looks out to steps adorned with colourful pot plants leading up to the terrace.

Your main living space with its tall, corniced ceilings, skirtings and shuttered windows was clearly designed to impress Victorian visitors. But the cook wouldn’t have been able to send dinner up to guests at the touch of a button in those days. As well as the lovely sitting room, you also have a super snug, which was at one time the kitchen and now opens onto the verandah, where you can sit out with coffee come rain or shine. How will you use the studio - as a gym, an outdoor office or even an annexe, perhaps?

Whether eating al fresco near the wildlife pond, with the sun filtering through the leaves of the magnificent Eucalyptus, or relaxing with a glass of something in various spots, including near the young silver birch copse, it’s easy to forget that you’re in town. A super garden for children to play, climb and build dens - as well as compete at chess - it also has great scope for the green-fingered aficionado. You might wish to put your stamp on both house and garden, but one thing’s for sure: The White House is a wonderful family home.