2 bedroom semi detached house for sale

One of Falmouth's most historically interesting houses, built circa 1875, occupying a prominent, elevated position on this sought-after road which leads around picturesque Pendennis Point to Falmouth's beautiful seafront, an intriguing and particularly well proportioned home, with generous corner plot gardens, ample parking, and ever-changing views over Falmouth Harbour, with its constant marine activity, as well as to Falmouth Bay and the shoreline of The Lizard peninsula.

Historical note

'The Guard House', as 'The Watch' was originally called, was built circa 1875. The War Department constructed it as a coastguard station from which the whole coastline from The Lizard peninsula to the Trefusis headland and the approach to Falmouth Harbour could be watched for suspicious sails. At the same time, the houses now forming Bay View Crescent, were built to house the coastguards. Unusually for Cornwall, the construction was of brick, and the walls were made with cavities. A feature of this method was the use of wrought iron cavity ties of approximately three-eighths of an inch diameter. The War Department did not intend the buildings to fall down.

The property

Converted into a private dwelling following the Second World War and dramatically improved by our clients since their purchase in 1996, 'The Watch House' provides an exceptionally rare opportunity to purchase a unique and extremely distinctive 'landmark' home, occupying a superb position on one of Falmouth's most sought-after residential roads, close to the harbourside, seafront and beaches.

Now benefiting from double glazing and modern gas fired central heating, the well maintained and spacious accommodation benefits, of course, from fine far-reaching views, from all main rooms, spanning Falmouth's dockyard and active inner harbour, from the town and waterfront to the picturesque village of Flushing and surrounding countryside, as well as, from the original watch room, over the roofs of later buildings to Falmouth Bay and the shoreline of The Lizard peninsula.

The prominent corner position features an imposing granite retaining wall with a gateway and steps leading through the gardens to the front entrance, and a gated vehicular entrance onto a broad tarmacadamed driveway, which provides ample private off-road parking in addition to a well proportioned garage. The gardens include a full breadth sun terrace (another fine vantage point from which to enjoy the views), well stocked shrubberies with many mature plants including hydrangeas, agapanthus and rhododendrons, with, to the rear, a pretty courtyard-style garden with raised beds and further flowering plants including roses, azaleas, camellia and passionflower.

The location

As well as benefiting from its superb coastal position, 'The Watch House' occupies a most convenient setting with Falmouth's excellent range of shopping, commercial and leisure amenities, all within walking distance.

A picturesque walk along Castle Drive leads around Pendennis Point, passing Ships and Castles Leisure Centre and Pendennis Castle, to the seafront, whose Castle Beach is less than a five minute walk away. A regular bus service from the nearby Falmouth Hotel leads to the town centre and surrounding towns and villages. Other nearby amenities include the railway station, with direct link to Truro, and Bar Road convenience stores, with this road providing a level walk to the Events Square, Maritime Museum, harbourside and town centre.

The accommodation comprises

(All dimensions being approximate)

Reception hall

A most attractive introduction to the property with feature 3.16m(10'4) high ceiling and a magnificent granite turning staircase, with wrought iron and timber balustrade, rising to the first floor landing. Extensive, shelved, under-stair storage cupboard with light. Larger than average replacement uPVC double glazed entrance door, copied from the original, with high level screen, enjoying an outlook over the gardens to the harbour, town, Flushing and surrounding countryside. Radiator, dado rail, telephone point, traditional panelled doors to the reception rooms.
Lounge 7.24m(23'9'') x 4.80m(15'9'')
Second measurement taken into two broad, shelved, display recesses with storage cupboards under, to either side of the open fireplace with timber lintel, raised quarry tiled hearth and real-flame gas fire. A beautifully proportioned, light, double aspect room, once again featuring a 3.03m(10'10) high ceiling. Twin windows to the side elevation and broad replacement sliding powder-coated aluminium patio door, opening onto the broad slate paved sun terrace and providing a magnificent vantage point to enjoy the views over the harbour, with its many Summer activities, to the town and outskirts of Flushing. Central ceiling rose, picture rail, wall light points, two radiators, TV and FM sockets, telephone points, central heating thermostat.

Kitchen and dining room

A most attractive and well proportioned triple aspect room with porcelain 'terracotta' tiled flooring throughout and timber beam at 'mid point' providing distinct dining and kitchen areas:-
kitchen area 4.77m(15'8'') x 3.60m(11'10'')
Comprehensively appointed with a full range of French oak wall and base units with ample marble-effect worksurfaces between with complementary tiled splashbacks. Space for tall fridge/freezer, cooker recess with gas point and Tricity Bendix illuminated filter canopy over. Inset stainless steel sink unit, recesses with plumbing for automatic washing machine and dishwasher. Glass-fronted display cabinets, access to over-head storage area, central heating and hot water timer switching, two replacement uPVC double glazed windows overlooking the paved rear patio garden. Broad archway to the:-
dining area 3.57m(11'9'') x 2.27m(7'5'')
A light double aspect dining and sitting area with replacement uPVC double glazed windows to the front and side elevations, a broad central screen providing a particularly interesting outlook over the gardens and Castle Drive to the port area, Challenger Quay, Maritime Museum, Falmouth's active inner harbour and waterfront to the Greenbank, Flushing and surrounding countryside. Wall light points, radiator, additional loft storage area, part glazed casement door to the:-

Side porch

Spanish handmade floor tiling, replacement uPVC double glazed door to the front terrace and parking area, courtesy door to the garage, uPVC double glazed door to the rear patio, part glazed casement door to the:-

Cloakroom/WC

Fully tiled walls and floor, low flush WC and wall mounted wash hand basin.

First floor

landing

Turning granite staircase from the reception hall with further 'over-head' storage lockers. Split level landing with dado rail, wall light points, radiator and panelled doors to the upstairs rooms.
Bedroom one 4.81m(15'9'') x 4.11m(13'6'')
Second measurement excludes the magnificent, walk-in, triple bay window, with replacement uPVC double glazing, to the side elevation, providing the magnificent 180° view to Falmouth Bay, the shoreline of The Lizard peninsula, Manacles and across the town to the harbour, waterfront, port area and outskirts of Flushing beyond. 3.05m(10'0) ceiling height, porthole window to the side elevation looking along Bay View Crescent and with further views of the bay. Replacement uPVC double glazed window to the front elevation with further views of the port area, harbour and outskirts of Flushing. Two radiators, extensive range of fitted furnishings providing much wardrobe space with storage lockers over, dressing unit and broad bed recess with bedside light points. Telephone point.
Bedroom two 3.04m(10'0'') x 3.57m(11'9'')
Replacement uPVC double glazed window to the front elevation, again enjoying port, harbour and countryside views. Central ceiling rose, wall light points, radiator, built-in full height airing cupboard with foam-lagged copper cylinder with immersion heater, ample slatted linen shelving and double louvre doors. Cupboard housing electrical fuses.

Bathroom/WC

Access to over-head storage area, part obscure replacement uPVC double glazed window to the front elevation with further harbour views. Fully tiled walls, radiator, strip light/shaver socket, pedestal wash hand basin, low flush WC, panelled bath and separate shower cubicle with Mira instant shower.

The exterior

Broad frontage to Castle Drive with granite retaining wall. Vehicular access from the entrance to Tredynas Road with double gateposts opening onto the:-

Front driveway

Providing ample private off-road parking and turning space, exterior courtesy lighting.
Attached garage 3.07m(10'1'') x 5.36m(17'7'')
Tall electric roller door, over-head storage, light and power connected, uPVC double glazed window to the rear elevation, courtesy door to the side porch.

Front terrace

Extending the full width of the front of the property, there is a deep slate paved sun terrace with door to the side porch, exterior water tap, courtesy lighting, front entrance door and sliding patio door to the lounge.

Front gardens

Comprise well stocked shrub borders and terraces with steps, with pedestrian gate, from Castle Drive, culminating on the front terrace. The front garden being planted with a mass of mature flowering shrubs including hydrangeas, rhododendrons and agapanthus, etc.

Rear patio

A most useful, walled, courtyard-style garden with exterior water tap, raised drying area, courtesy door from the side porch and boiler cupboard housing the wall mounted Worcester gas fired boiler providing domestic hot water and central heating.

General information

services

Mains electricity, water, drainage and gas are connected to the property. Telephone points (subject to supplier's regulations). Gas fired central heating.

Council tax

Band D - Cornwall Council.

Tenure

Freehold.

Possession

Vacant possession upon completion of the purchase.

Viewing

Strictly by prior appointment with the vendors' Sole Agents - Laskowski & Company, 28 High Street, Falmouth, TR11 2AD. Telephone:

Floor plans

For identification purposes only - not to scale.

These particulars have been prepared as a general guide only for prospective purchasers. Although every effort has been made to provide a fair and reasonable description of the property, no specific survey or detailed inspection has been carried out in relation to the building, services, appliances and any fixtures and fittings. All measurements, dimensions, acreages and distances are approximate and should not be relied upon for accuracy. All buyers should rely on their own surveys and investigations in connection with a purchase of the property.