On a road with more than its share of substantial period houses, Linden Lodge, on Sandymount's Park Avenue, stands out as one of the oldest - at over 250-years-old - and undoubtedly the prettiest. The single-storey, pink-washed house takes its name from an old linden tree stretching across the front lawn. Agent Jackson-Stops McCabe is guiding £475,000 for the three/four-bedroom house, which goes to auction on March 25th. A conservative estimate perhaps, although it is always difficult to put a price on houses of such character.
The location will attract plenty of viewers. Sandymount, with its village green and specialist food shops, is close by and the seafront is a short walk from the house. Linden Lodge was built in the mid-18th century as a dower house for the Pembroke estate. Owners this century include the landscape gardener Edith Thompson, who designed the present garden.
The house is set well back from the road behind a redbrick wall and approached by a sweeping gravel driveway. The gardens, which stretch to one-third of an acre, are well planted with mature trees and shrubs and an old wisteria almost covers the front wall.
The front door is Georgian with leaded stained-glass panels and a leaded fanlight. There are reception rooms on either side of the front hallway, each with washbasins and one with a fine marble fireplace. These are currently used as a study and home office but would also suit as bedrooms or extra living accommodation. Down four steps to the rear of the house, there is a pleasingly-proportioned livingroom with an arched alcove, a Victorian tiled fireplace and glass doors leading to a conservatory.
Climbing roses and hydrangeas in the back garden grow right against the glass of the conservatory, creating a garden room effect. The diningroom also opens to the back garden. This has a French country house decor, with a raised stone and rustic brick fireplace, bookshelves and a walk-in glass cupboard.
Off this, there is a newly-installed Miele kitchen with a built-in fridge, dishwasher, oven and hob. An old fireplace has been fitted with wine storage racks, and flower-painted tiles give a cottage atmosphere.
A curved staircase leads to two double bedrooms and a family bathroom on the top floor. These have sloping ceilings and windows set low to the ground.
The main bedroom has a good range of built-in cupboards and a very large en suite bathroom. The family bathroom is good-sized, with shelves cleverly fitted behind the original shutters. The second upstairs bedroom is also a double, with fitted wardrobes and a washbasin.
Outside, as well as the linden, there are several established trees including almond, Japanese cherry and holly. At the back, the garden is crazy paved and secluded and there is a lawn to the front surrounded by high hedges.
