IS it only 20 years ago that we thought it fashionable to dress Victorian properties in much the way they would have originally looked?

Heavy drapes, emerald patterned wallpaper and even musty hops draped across dark wood kitchen units. What were we thinking?

At least these misdemeanours pale in comparison to the crimes against property committed during the 1960s. Then it was the vogue to ‘improve’ panelled doors by nailing plywood covers to them or, worse still, rip out period cornicing and fireplaces.

Homes that survived those post war rushes of blood to the head are now highly sought after as we finally seem to understand how to show them off to their best. The finest of them make focal points of fireplaces, incorporate rather than over emphasise cornicing and an excellent example is to be found on Fulford Road in York.

Ashwick House is a stunning five bedroom Victorian town house set in a sought after residential area. The property provides extremely spacious and well-presented accommodation that retains many period features including a fabulous first floor drawing room.

The quality on offer is apparent as soon as you open the entrance door with its leaded window. The first thing you notice is the maple flooring, then you breathe a sigh of relief at the sight of an original stripped pine door. This is boding very well indeed.

As might be expected, this townhouse is generously proportioned and your first confirmation is the 18' 8" x 15' sitting room. The bay window is reassuringly timber with leaded light, then there is fabulously presented cornicing, a ceiling rose and original marble fireplace as well as built in shelves a cupboard and oak flooring.

The dining room again boasts built in cupboards, and leads to the kitchen, which is a sympathetic interpretation of Victoriana with white painted solid wood base and wall units topped off by solid wood work surfaces.

Included is a built in double electric oven with five ring gas hob and extractor above as well as plumbing for an automatic washing machine and dishwasher.

A door leads to the utility room which is home to the wall mounted gas central heating boiler. There is space for a tumble dryer and freezer as well as a built in shoe cupboard. Nice touch that.

Another one is the old scullery, which has also been subject to a sympathetic 21st century touch to become a fantastic family room/home cinema with a double glazed door to the rear garden.

More grandeur on the first floor, starting with the drawing room. In Victorian England it was de rigueur to greet guests downstairs before entertaining them high above the street noise. So it is good to see the tradition retained here.

The bay window catches the eye first, but how about that oak fire surround with cast iron open grate? Why did people rip such beautiful things out?

There is a further window to the front, more wedding cake cornicing and an original built in cupboard to alcove. With stripped pine flooring completing the picture this really is a wonderful room.

The master bedroom has a statement to make too, boasting a built in wardrobe, walk in shower cubicle and original slate fire place with stone mantel. A panelled door leads to the en-suite, with wash hand basin and low level WC.

We head up another flight of stairs to the second floor landing, with a spindle balustrade and an arched window to frame the rear view.

Here we find bedrooms two and three which would make perfectly fine master bedrooms in most houses, they are so commodious. Not only that, both have original built in units.

Perhaps the hallmark of a well restored period property is the bathroom. No one wants the old, cold facilities of 150 years ago, but too often the result is a faux-pastiche.

Not here. A newly fitted traditional style three piece suite in white is offset with bang on trend metro style tiles and grey grouting together with Karndean flooring and under floor heating.

It works extremely well.

But still we’re not finished, because there is another floor featuring two further bedrooms with original wooden beams.

Outside, the front garden has shrubs, flowers and a brick boundary wall with high hedge. The fabulous west facing walled rear garden has patio areas, a lawn, trees, shrubs and flower borders, with a gate giving access to rear lane. There is also a detached garage.

“Fulford is a sought after residential area offering a wide range of local services as well as Fulford school which has been rated outstanding,” says Churchills director Kevin Webb. “The property provides extremely spacious and well-presented living accommodation retaining many period features. There is a fabulous first floor drawing room as well as a basement family room with access to the garden. An internal viewing of this elegant period home is strongly recommended.”

He’s absolutely right. Houses that survived post war modernising rushes of blood to the head are rare, not to mention highly sought after. And Ashwick House has to be one of York’s best.

 

AT A GLANCE

Ashwick House, Fulford Road, York

Reception rooms: 3/4

Bedrooms: 5

Bathrooms: 1

Gardens: lawn to rear

Wow factor: Wonderful period features

Price: £750,000

Contact: Churchills

Tel: 01904 646611