The best of suburbia
This leafy treasure will turn you green with envy, writes Paul Drury
The clocks go forward on Sunday, offering the tempting prospect of longer days and nights in which to enjoy Scotland’s natural attractions. One property that will turn you ‘green’ with envy sits on the wellmanicured edge of Newlands Park, one of the most attractive green spaces in the south of Glasgow.
Brackley house has the added advantage of having a foot in Lubnaig Road, one of the prettiest avenues in all the city. As Brackley house is a conversion of a detached property, its price is significantly below the £500,000 entry level for Lubnaig’s imposing red sandstone semis and villas.
Unusually for a conversion, the accommodation of Brackley house is split between two floors, which indicates how big the original mansion was to start with.
It dates from the turn of the last century, when Newlands was being developed as a superior suburb of Glasgow, home to successful Victorian businessmen, ships’ captains, school headteachers and leading members of the clergy.
The grounds of Newlands Park were laid out around the same time but it’s fair to say its attractions dimmed over the years and became a bit run-down by the Millennium.
Three years ago, a pair of enterprising businesswomen took over the dilapidated 1920s tennis pavilion and transformed it into the Dandelion Café. It’s now a busy hub for dog walkers, who can treat their pooch to ‘Doggie Muffins’.
Not only that, the timber hut has been developed into a thriving community facility and next Tuesday, for example, it will host a craft market from 5.30pm until 8pm.
Brackley house is perfectly placed to participate in such a thriving community spirit. It even has its own private garden, protected by thick sandstone walls, if you’re feeling a bit antisocial.
There’s a shared first floor vestibule, with its own main door entrance. Karndean flooring leads through to a private reception hallway and a bright living room with feature oriel window, offering southerly views to a wind farm ten miles away.
Move on and you find an excellent TV room or study, designated dining room and a modern fitted kitchen with breakfast bar.
It goes without mention that the public rooms, with the exception of the dining area, come in generous dimensions associated with period properties.
The four-piece family bathroom has been recently refitted and comes with a neat old-fashioned touch in the form of a ceiling pulley.
A staircase from the reception hall leads to the upper floor, where the three bedrooms are located, including the master. This incorporates a contemporary en suite shower room with feature Velux roof lights.
A separate WC on the second floor landing serves bedrooms two and three.
The ground floor offers access to a handy cellar and a brick-built shed.
All in all, a leafy suburban address with a slice of Park Life thrown in for free.
Offers over £385,000 to Corum, Shawlands. Tel 0141 636 7588 or email shawlandsoffice@ corumproperty.co.uk.