Upna GhurFairfield Road 1 Lancaster 1 LA1 5NS

Guide Price £650,000

Meaning ‘Our home’ in Hindi and Urdu and so named by the former owner whoserved as a British army officer in India, Upna Ghur offers a very rare opportunityto acquire this grand example of the Victorian property era within the environs ofthe historic Lancaster Castle and within a stone’s throw of the city centre. Built oflocal, characteristic mellow stone in approximately 1872, this executive, semi-detached property was later home to the headmaster of the George Fox School.Steeped in original Victorian features and displaying its historic past, the propertyenjoys a wealth of original plasterwork, cornice mouldings, stonework andremarkable bespoke knotted pitch pine and mahogany woodwork throughout,designed and created by the famous furniture makers and craftsmen, Gillows ofLancaster & London.

Immaculately maintained by the current owner for the past 32 years, the wellplanned accommodation briefly comprises a spacious hall, kitchen with adjoiningbreakfast room, two elegant reception rooms and a handy cloak room. To the firstfloor, a magnificent master bedroom is further complimented by two doublebedrooms, one of which benefits from a dressing room, and a generous housebathroom. Continuing to the second floor, there is a further large double bedroomwith similar proportions to that of the master, two double bedrooms and anotherhouse bathroom. Outside, a true rarity for such a central city location, is the reargarden with large lawn area and plenty of space for outdoor entertaining with anabundance of mature plants, trees and flower beds.

The historic city of Lancaster has so much to offer people of all ages with a growingcultural and music scene, excellent range of high street and independent shops andan unrivalled choice of health care and local amenities. The train station, just a 1minute stroll away, provides access to the West Coast Mainline with a 2½ hourcommute to London and 1 hour to Manchester respectively. The Royal LancasterInfirmary is within a 5 minute walk and just a 5/10 minute drive away; both theLancaster and Cumbria Universities. For those looking to commute further afieldthe J34 of the M6 is approximately two miles away. Also, with the new HeyshamBypass link road nearing completion, access to the Heysham power station andmotorway will soon be greatly improved. Upna Ghur will greatly appeal to those oflarger families for its vast accommodation, fantastic outside space and as it also sitswithin the primary catchment area for the renowned Lancaster Boys & GirlsGrammar Schools, along with other well regarded primary and secondary schools.

Upna Ghur

The exterior sets the tone, exuding Victorian features that include classical lintels, sash and canted baywindows and exterior dentil mouldings. Entering through a wrought iron gate to the front, bounded bystone posts of the Victorian era that feature the engraving of ‘Upna Ghur’, a path leads up to the steps ofthe grand timber entrance door with classic stone arch framing.

A practical entrance hall provides a useful space for cloaks and the like and also provides access into thefully tiled downstairs shower room. A handy facility that briefly comprises WC, pedestal wash hand basinand corner shower. A further magnificent pitch pine and glazed door, with fretwork detailing, leads into the;

A magnificent welcome into this hearty home, from the outset it is clear to see the amazing craftsmanshipof the pitch pine woodwork, from the deep and shapely skirting boards to the heavy and ornate doors andframes. Further reminiscent of the period is the local Nairn Williamson wallpaper and high ceilings featuringintricate ceiling roses.

A bright and sunny room that is adjoining to the kitchen and makes for an excellent informal dining spaceand also provides scope to create a generous breakfast kitchen, if so required. As with most of the rooms,the original sash windows have been retained and allow of plenty of natural light and lovely views of thegarden.

With patio doors that lead out into the rear garden and a range of quality solid pitch pine wall, drawer andbase units that encompass a sink and a half with drainer, induction cooker with copper extractor over, Boschdishwasher and also space for a fridge/freezer.

This elegant primary reception room has plenty of natural light afforded by the large bay windows thatenjoy views out to the rear garden. A real feature to the room is the fine marble fireplace, a rarity of itstime for its pink hue and detailed tiled surround. Benefitting from a working gas fire, the design of the fire-place, along with others in the property, echoes the ornate woodwork detailing by Gillows of Lancasterfound throughout. Other period features include dado rail, deep skirting boards, cornice mouldings andintricate ceiling rose.

Another rare feature is the built in solid mahogany and glass fronted cabinet found within this opulent formaldining room; stamped ‘Gillows . Lancaster’, provenance of around 1850. Typical of the Victorians, this roomalso feature a grand, grey marble fireplace, picture rail, cornices and sash window surrounded by pitch pinewoodwork and panelling.

From the hall, stone steps lead to an additional external door which provides access to the driveway, andfurther down into the cellar which boasts three great sized rooms. The first has been utilised as a laundryroom with space and plumbing for a washing machine and tumble dryer. Next to that, the vendor hasoptimised on the ideal cool temperatures to create a perfect wine cellar which could lend itself to furtherdevelopment if so required. The final room enjoys large proportions and a metal barred window allowingextra light. The original features even continue in the cellar with a large original slate table which would haveonce been used as the cold store. This great additional space provides plenty of opportunity fordevelopment, subject to relevant planning, or as presently utilised, additional storage space.

The traditional, pitched pine spindled staircase benefits from sash windows affording light across the 3 levels and original woodencarpet runner rods. The wide landing continues with the exposed original pitch pine floorboards and classic carpet runner.

A bright and generous bedroom that boasts an enviable setting with large bay windows enjoying views out into the garden and acrossthe trees, with a tease of the Lakeland Hills in the distance. Again, the original features are in abundance with detailed cornice mouldingsand a distinctive ‘pot rail’, similar to a picture rail but with more depth allowing for the display of the Asian pots that were oncecollected by the former British army officer.

Featuring double sash windows, cornice mouldings and a marble and cast iron fireplace, this great sized double also benefits from ashallow built-in storage cupboard, ideal for cloaks and the like. Intriguingly another grand Gillows pitch pine door leads through into afurther space, which is also accessed off the landing and could lend itself to a number of uses; nursery, dressing room or even potentialfor an ensuite bathroom with the second floor bathroom being directly above and therefor potentially allowing for easy plumbing.

Another sizeable double bedroom with original features mirroring that of the other rooms, including an original sash window that looksout across the rooftops.

Tiled to the dado, this generous family bathroom is filled with light afforded from the dual aspect sash windows. Facilities include amodern Jacuzzi bath, vanity wash hand basin with complimentary splash back tiling, WC and shower. Practically there is also a largeairing cupboard with built in shelves.

The grand, pitch pine staircase continues up to the second floor landing, again with a large sashwindow and intriguingly an internal window from the bathroom which supplies the room withextra natural light.

Of a similar footprint to the first floor master bedroom, this very generous double bedroomwould also serve as a great master bedroom, especially due to its bay windows that enjoy simplybreathtaking views over the district and to the Western Lakes and Lakeland Hills and therenowned Morecambe Bay sunsets. True to the Victorian era, this room again features a beautifulcast iron and marble fireplace and also benefits from a shallow built in storage cupboard.

Situated to the front of the property and enjoying double sash windows, this double bedroom isfilled with natural light and, as with all the rooms, enjoys generous proportions and high ceilings.

The final bedroom of this grand family home enjoys rooftop views and a cast iron fireplace.

Fully tiled to compliment, this neatly presented second house bathroom includes a bath, WC anda pedestal wash hand basin. As well as the previously mentioned internal window, there is also alarge Velux window.

Upna Ghur enjoys a large yet easily maintained garden tothe rear which is laid mainly to lawn and is flanked bymature trees and well stocked, colourful beds. Enjoying asunny, south-westerly situation, there is ample potential foroutdoor entertaining and for those with green fingers. Aperfect garden for enjoying the wonderful surroundings andabundant wildlife. To the front, the property benefits froma private driveway which allows parking for two vehiclesand the residents’ parking scheme provides furtheropportunity for 2 parking permits and additional visitorsparking, located right outside the property.

Agents Notes: All measurements are approximate and quoted in imperial with metric equivalents and for general guidance only and whilstevery attempt has been made to ensure accuracy, they must not be relied on. The fixtures, fittings and appliances referred to have not beentested and therefore no guarantee can be given that they are in working order. Internal photographs are reproduced for general informationand it must not be inferred that any item shown is included with the property. For a free valuation, contact the numbers listed on thebrochure.

Entering into Lancaster, continue around theone way system, heading towards the Lancastertrain station. Turn right at the traffic lights to joinMeeting House Lane, continue passed the trainstation and take your second left onto FairfieldRoad and Upna Ghur can be found furtherdown on your left hand side.

All mains connectedGas central heating

Freehold

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Fine & Country Lancaster 19 Castle Hill, Lancaster LA1 1YN

Tel 01524 380560