Albert Road, Leyton, London, E10

Situated on a quiet residential street in the much sought-after Abraham Estate, this lovely Victorian ground-floor maisonette is just moments from the thriving Francis Road and within easy reach of great transport links and green parks, gardens and marshland.

With high ceilings and period details, the bright and airy apartment is one of around 500 well-laid-out properties designed by famed local developer J G Abraham in the late 1800s and features a recently fitted kitchen and a southwest-facing garden.

The house greets you with a classic Victorian brickwork exterior and a colonnaded bay window, sitting behind a low wall with a cast-iron gate. A path leads past roses in the front garden to a recessed porch and a smart, black-painted panelled door with brass furniture.

Enter through a reception hall illuminated by a transom window, and take the panelled timber door to your right into the living room. Flooded with light from a large bay with frosted lower panes (the frosting can be easily removed if preferred), the high ceiling and walls have been painted in a soft white shade that adds to the sense of space.

The focal point here must be the fabulous ornate fireplace surround, with marble insert and hearth, and a gas fire. While vintage ceiling-mounted lights brighten the alcoves, warm-toned wood-effect flooring runs underfoot.

Beyond is the primary double bedroom, which overlooks the garden courtyard via a large awning window. A soft grey carpet pairs with walls painted in calming Cornforth White by Farrow & Ball, but there’s also plenty of storage, with one single and two double full-height wardrobes and a clever bespoke bookcase built into the chimney breast.

Returning to the hallway, you’ll find the bathroom down a few steps and past a useful storage cupboard. Here, the fresh white colour scheme continues, with large square tiles in a grid formation to the walls and floor. The slim frosted window over the modern pedestal sink is fitted with a sheer Roman blind, and there’s a bath with a shower attachment and a white heated towel rail.

Continue through a glazed door to the kitchen, which was newly fitted in July last year. Glossy white cabinets with integrated handles combine with solid oak worktops and a well-designed breakfast bar for a sleek and modern feel. Meanwhile, stylish grey terrazzo-style luxury vinyl flooring, white walls and a metro-tiled splashback with contrasting grey grouting reinforce the fresh, contemporary look. A large side window with a white wooden Venetian blind also overlooks the courtyard.

Other than a stainless-steel sink with chrome mixer tap, the integrated appliances include a ceramic hob and Beko electric multifunction oven with concealed overhead extractor. You’ll also find space for a fridge-freezer and a laundry appliance.

A door on your left leads to the second double bedroom. Painted a dusky pink and with a soft grey carpet, it features a radiator, pendant light and awning window. The peaceful view of the neighbouring gardens would make this a lovely guest room, nursery or home office.

Adjacent is a cloakroom housing the separate toilet alongside a small frosted window, shelf and radiator, while a charcoal-painted door leads out to the southwest-facing 49ft garden. Here, the side courtyard wraps around the apartment, past a useful outdoor storage cupboard, and has room for a table and chairs as well as pots and planters.

A good-sized decked area leads down via a couple of steps to a lawn bordered by low timber fencing, with flowerbeds including mature plants such as rosemary and roses. The current owners say green parakeets can often be spotted in the surrounding trees. At the far end of the garden is a second paved patio area, which enjoys the sun late into the afternoon and is ideal for barbecues.

A NOTE FROM THE OWNER

‘I love the light and sense of space and the classic Victorian features such as the high ceilings and bay window. The new kitchen with breakfast bar works particularly well, while the garden is a lovely place to sit and drink coffee, grow flowers and vegetables and feel the seasons changing. I've spent many happy summer afternoons reading a book under a sunshade outside the back door or barbecuing further down the garden in the late afternoon sun.’

IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD

The welcoming and creative community surrounding Francis Road is renowned for its wonderful collection of delis, coffee spots, and independent shops. Try Yardarm for bread and wine, Morny for deliciously baked treats, Venner for gifts, Pause for yoga, and Phlox for books. There are several excellent pubs all within walking distance, including the Coach & Horses, Leyton Technical, Northcote and Heathcote & Star, as well as tap rooms and bars such as Filly Brook and Solvay Society and Gravity Well Brewing.

Masala Indian on Leyton High Road, Yardsale Pizza in Leytonstone and Zaxx on Francis Road are always reliable for a delicious takeaway. The current owner also recommends Marmelo or the Victoria Park Pavilion for coffee and cakes; the free monthly art exhibitions at The Stone Space in Leytonstone; and community events such as the local jumble trail and summer street parties.

There are various open green spaces to explore, from Jubilee Park, Leyton and Hackney Marshes to the many canal paths stretching from Limehouse basin to Tottenham Hale reservoir and beyond.

Alternatively, cycle to Hollow Ponds, Wanstead Park, or even Epping Forest. The Olympic Park in Stratford offers lots of lovely walks, ponds, and activities for little ones. Leyton Leisure Centre is also close by and has an excellent aqua-play area for children.

Leytonstone tube, Leyton Midland Road, and Leytonstone High Road stations are all under a 10-minute walk. Alternatively, plenty of buses are available along High Road Leyton, Grove Green Road, and Hainault Road, including night routes.

The welcoming and creative community surrounding Francis Road is renowned for its wonderful collection of delis, coffee spots, and independent shops. Try Yardarm for bread and wine, Morny for deliciously baked treats, Venner for gifts, Pause for yoga, and Phlox for books. There are several excellent pubs all within walking distance, including the Coach & Horses, Leyton Technical, Northcote and Heathcote & Star, as well as tap rooms and bars such as Filly Brook and Solvay Society and Gravity Well Brewing.

Masala Indian on Leyton High Road, Yardsale Pizza in Leytonstone and Zaxx on Francis Road are always reliable for a delicious takeaway. The current owner also recommends Marmelo or the Victoria Park Pavilion for coffee and cakes; the free monthly art exhibitions at The Stone Space in Leytonstone; and community events such as the local jumble trail and summer street parties.

There are various open green spaces to explore, from Jubilee Park, Leyton and Hackney Marshes to the many canal paths stretching from Limehouse basin to Tottenham Hale reservoir and beyond.

Alternatively, cycle to Hollow Ponds, Wanstead Park, or even Epping Forest. The Olympic Park in Stratford offers lots of lovely walks, ponds, and activities for little ones. Leyton Leisure Centre is also close by and has an excellent aqua-play area for children.

Leytonstone tube, Leyton Midland Road, and Leytonstone High Road stations are all under a 10-minute walk. Alternatively, plenty of buses are available along High Road Leyton, Grove Green Road, and Hainault Road, including night routes.