Bernard Gardens

The Grand Tour

A black and white encaustic tiled path leads through the front garden and to the raised stone steps and main entrance porch; additional side entry is to a secondary entrance for services and deliveries. The arched porch is wide set and recessed, with the home’s original leaded glass door and corresponding fanlight above. The entrance door has triple Banham locks and overall security is complemented by a Banham alarm system. The main elevation’s brickwork has been expertly repointed, and the original windows were overhauled as part of the recent renovation schedule.

Entry is to a hallway, which is laid with black and white tiles that echo that of the garden path; the remaining ground-floor spaces are laid with beautiful planks of polished walnut. To the front of the plan is a bipartite reception room, painted in pale tonal colours with cornicing framing the elevations. Contemporary stone chimneypieces with working fires feature in both spaces, and floating walnut shelves are set into the wide alcoves. In the centre of the plan is the main dogleg staircase, side entrance hall, guest WC and entrance to the lower-ground utility area.

To the rear of the plan is the brilliantly expansive kitchen, which incorporates both dining and informal seating areas. Almost 30 ft in length and with wonderfully capacious ceiling heights, this is an excellent open-plan space with floor-to-ceiling folding Crittall-style windows forming the entire north wall, overlooking the garden. Natural light also enters through elongated roof lights above both the kitchen worktops and the seating area to the rear. An integrated speaker system has been fitted into the ceiling here.

The kitchen has bespoke matt white cabinetry, with a generous island unit positioned centrally, inset with double stainless-steel sinks. The island utilises Calacatta Oro marble as a countertop, while the side units are topped with durable Silestone. Appliances include double electric ovens and a gas hob, all by Miele, and the fridge/freezer and dishwasher are integrated. A wall of matching cupboards lines the rear wall and form a floor-to-ceiling pantry, with a concealed door cleverly leading to the side entrance hall, guest WC and lower-ground utility space.

Ascending to the first floor, the principal bedroom suite is set to the front of the plan, with a large arched casement window and further side window inviting in a brilliant southerly light; on clear days, there are excellent views towards the Surrey hills. Entry to this suite is through a private walkway lined with fitted walnut-clad wardrobing. There is also an en suite shower room to the rear, lined with grey porcelain tiles and featuring contemporary sanitary and chrome brassware, including double sinks, a generous shower enclosure and a wall of mirrored cupboards.

There are two additional bedrooms off the landing space; both share a contemporary family bathroom, lined in limestone-effect porcelain tiles and with a freestanding bateau bathtub and a separate shower enclosure. The uppermost storey has two further spacious bedrooms (each with excellent and plentiful bespoke fitted wardrobing), a smaller single bedroom currently used as a study, and a further shared family bathroom.

The Great Outdoors

The spacious garden opens directly from folding glass doors to the rear of the house and to a contemporary flagstone-paved seating area, with slated cedarwood fencing and pleached hornbeams affording privacy from neighbouring houses.

There is a further paved terrace to the rear of the garden – the perfect spot to catch late afternoon and early evening light. The terraces are connected by a verdant grass lawn; further planting includes olive trees and bamboo, and the garden also has an automatic irrigation system and cleverly concealed uplighting.

Out and About

The immediate local area offers an exceptional choice of both independent and large-scale shops and restaurants. Bayley and Sage and Table @ Vallebona are firm local favourite grocers in Wimbledon Village, while Wimbledon Village Farmers Market is a very popular choice for small-scale provisors. The Ivy Café and Fire Stables are the preferred immediate choices for drinks and dining. A large branch of Waitrose is a two-minute drive away, along with the amenities of Wimbledon town centre. The house is also close to both Wimbledon Common and Wimbledon Park. We’ve written more about our recommendations in Wimbledon in our Almanac.

Local state schools are excellent, with Ursuline High School, Wimbledon College and Rutlish School of special note. Independent schools include King’s College School, Wimbledon High School, Hall School Wimbledon and Donhead Preparatory.

District Line services run from nearby Wimbledon Underground station, while Wimbledon station is served by Southwestern railway and Thameslink. There is also easy access to and from Wimbledon by car, as it borders the A3 and A24, linking the southwest with central London.

Council Tax Band: G