If the accessibility and convenience of a city centre lifestyle is what you crave, then no location could be better than Castle Park, being right opposite Lancaster Castle in the historic and prestigious castle precinct.
The beauty of this setting is that despite the central position there is a rare degree of peace and quiet afforded by the fact that this maisonette is on the second and third floors so rises above the hustle and bustle of city life. There's a private parking space and also visitor parking but, as the city's amenities and train station are all within walking distance, this is a location where you could live car free.
Built as a private residence and later converted into the upper George Fox School, it was converted into five residential flats around 1988. Unsurprisingly, the property is Grade II Listed to reflect its great aesthetic appeal and architectural importance. It dates back to the early 19th century with alterations later that century and the next. Built of sandstone ashlar under a slated roof there is a striking semi-octagonal extension to the rear which houses the statuesque stone cantilever staircase behind which there are tall feature windows allowing light to flood in and the panoramic views to be enjoyed.
Lancaster has excellent road and rail links via the M6 and West Coast main line with direct rail services to London and Glasgow (2? hours) and Manchester with its international airport (1 hour 15mins). The district offers perfect life-style opportunities for all ages with cycleways, superb coastal walking around nearby Morecambe Bay and countryside rambles in the Lune Valley and is just a 40-minute drive from the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks. The city is home to a UK top-ten ranked university, two theatres, a lively music scene, large teaching-hospital, an ever-expanding business community and quality schooling with, most notably, two of the country's leading Grammar Schools.
First impressions count and No.2 doesn't disappoint. There are three shallow stone steps leading up to the impressive wide panelled front door with an integral overlight. To each side of the doorway there are low walls and cast-iron railings. Step across the threshold and there is a wide shared entrance hall with a long view to the stairwell at the rear of the property. The reception hall has high ceilings and stripped pine floorboards and provides a great welcome, sure to provide a feeling of well being and put a spring in your step.
There's a back door out to the parking area. Climb the stairs, the view gets better at every landing. On the second floor you'll find No.s 4 and 5. The private front door to No.5 opens to a light private hallway. There are two useful store cupboards, the first has power and light and is used by the vendors as a laundry and store with a condenser drier. The second store is under the stairs and is ideal for coats and shoes.
The views are good from this second floor but even better from the third so the layout has been designed with this in mind and you'll find the bedrooms first with the main living accommodation upstairs.
The hallway and two double bedrooms both have engineered oak flooring with plantation shutters over the elegant sash windows. The shutters were fitted in 2022. The principle bedroom has a leafy view towards the castle which will only be enhanced in the autumn and winter months as the leaves fall. Storage is excellent with two double fitted wardrobes. The second double bedroom has views to the south over roof tops and trees to the fields beyond including Blackpool Tower on a clear day. The generous and light bathroom was refitted in 2019 and has contemporary fittings with a classic timeless feel - there's an oval shaped freestanding bath, a walk in shower with wetroom floor, loo and washbasin. It's possible to lie in the bath and have a view of the Lakeland fells. The tiling is worthy of note, with pale grey marble metro style tiles to the wall and mosaic hexagonal floor tiling. Altogether a very stylish and polished room.
Rising to the third floor provides another WOW factor, as the staircase opens straight to the open plan living space - light and airy there is a relaxed and restful feel to the room with areas to cook, eat, sit and relax. The oak floor has been sanded and given a pale finish to enhance the proportions of the room which is painted white to maximize the light and space. There are two big Velux skylights and a lovely feature arch window with views over roof tops and trees to Morecambe and the Lakeland fells - the night time aspect with all of the street and house lights is a real treat. There's a long eaves cupboard housing the combi boiler (new in 2019) and providing accessible storage - much easier for suitcases than a loft. The seating area has two fitted bookcases set over storage cupboards.
The kitchen was fitted in 2021 and has only base units and open shelving to keep the aesthetic open and airy. Quality, painted oak panel unit fronts have timeless appeal (plus, if you wanted a new look overtime, they could be repainted) and these are topped with pale grey marble worktops. Whilst traditional in appearance the kitchen is well equipped with appliances with an integral oven, hob with extractor fan over and dishwasher. To streamline appearances there is also an integral bin and American style fridge freezer. The pot sink has a mixer tap and also a filtered water tap. For ease of access there are pull out drawers and also a corner carousel unit. White metro tiles with dark grouting complete the look with a south facing dormer window.
Three steps lead up to a mezzanine level with a glazed door with side panels leading to the roof terrace. This mezzanine is the perfect spot for a quiet coffee with a good book or the weekend papers. Through the glass door and you're out onto the roof terrace. Prepare yourself - it's another WOW factor - 300 degree panoramic views taking in Ashton Memorial at Williamson Park to the east, Blackpool Tower to the south and Morecambe Bay and the Lakeland fells to the west. Laid with decking with an outside light, this is an enviable area with room for table and chairs - perfect for al fresco dining or sitting and watching the trains pull into the station. All of life is reflected here - we love it!
All in all, a really rather special two floor apartment in Lancaster's most historic residential area offering a city centre lifestyle.
Services
Mains water, electric, gas and drainage.
Gas fired central heating.
Held on the balance of a 999 year lease where the five flat owners all own an equal share in a company which owns the freehold. Annual service charge of £800 paid in two equal installments. This covers the maintenance of fabric of the main building and the common parts, decoration external and in the hall, building insurance, gutter clearing, a cleaning service for the entrance hall and an external window cleaning service.
The beauty of this setting is that despite the central position there is a rare degree of peace and quiet afforded by the fact that this maisonette is on the second and third floors so rises above the hustle and bustle of city life. There's a private parking space and also visitor parking but, as the city's amenities and train station are all within walking distance, this is a location where you could live car free.
Built as a private residence and later converted into the upper George Fox School, it was converted into five residential flats around 1988. Unsurprisingly, the property is Grade II Listed to reflect its great aesthetic appeal and architectural importance. It dates back to the early 19th century with alterations later that century and the next. Built of sandstone ashlar under a slated roof there is a striking semi-octagonal extension to the rear which houses the statuesque stone cantilever staircase behind which there are tall feature windows allowing light to flood in and the panoramic views to be enjoyed.
Lancaster has excellent road and rail links via the M6 and West Coast main line with direct rail services to London and Glasgow (2? hours) and Manchester with its international airport (1 hour 15mins). The district offers perfect life-style opportunities for all ages with cycleways, superb coastal walking around nearby Morecambe Bay and countryside rambles in the Lune Valley and is just a 40-minute drive from the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks. The city is home to a UK top-ten ranked university, two theatres, a lively music scene, large teaching-hospital, an ever-expanding business community and quality schooling with, most notably, two of the country's leading Grammar Schools.
First impressions count and No.2 doesn't disappoint. There are three shallow stone steps leading up to the impressive wide panelled front door with an integral overlight. To each side of the doorway there are low walls and cast-iron railings. Step across the threshold and there is a wide shared entrance hall with a long view to the stairwell at the rear of the property. The reception hall has high ceilings and stripped pine floorboards and provides a great welcome, sure to provide a feeling of well being and put a spring in your step.
There's a back door out to the parking area. Climb the stairs, the view gets better at every landing. On the second floor you'll find No.s 4 and 5. The private front door to No.5 opens to a light private hallway. There are two useful store cupboards, the first has power and light and is used by the vendors as a laundry and store with a condenser drier. The second store is under the stairs and is ideal for coats and shoes.
The views are good from this second floor but even better from the third so the layout has been designed with this in mind and you'll find the bedrooms first with the main living accommodation upstairs.
The hallway and two double bedrooms both have engineered oak flooring with plantation shutters over the elegant sash windows. The shutters were fitted in 2022. The principle bedroom has a leafy view towards the castle which will only be enhanced in the autumn and winter months as the leaves fall. Storage is excellent with two double fitted wardrobes. The second double bedroom has views to the south over roof tops and trees to the fields beyond including Blackpool Tower on a clear day. The generous and light bathroom was refitted in 2019 and has contemporary fittings with a classic timeless feel - there's an oval shaped freestanding bath, a walk in shower with wetroom floor, loo and washbasin. It's possible to lie in the bath and have a view of the Lakeland fells. The tiling is worthy of note, with pale grey marble metro style tiles to the wall and mosaic hexagonal floor tiling. Altogether a very stylish and polished room.
Rising to the third floor provides another WOW factor, as the staircase opens straight to the open plan living space - light and airy there is a relaxed and restful feel to the room with areas to cook, eat, sit and relax. The oak floor has been sanded and given a pale finish to enhance the proportions of the room which is painted white to maximize the light and space. There are two big Velux skylights and a lovely feature arch window with views over roof tops and trees to Morecambe and the Lakeland fells - the night time aspect with all of the street and house lights is a real treat. There's a long eaves cupboard housing the combi boiler (new in 2019) and providing accessible storage - much easier for suitcases than a loft. The seating area has two fitted bookcases set over storage cupboards.
The kitchen was fitted in 2021 and has only base units and open shelving to keep the aesthetic open and airy. Quality, painted oak panel unit fronts have timeless appeal (plus, if you wanted a new look overtime, they could be repainted) and these are topped with pale grey marble worktops. Whilst traditional in appearance the kitchen is well equipped with appliances with an integral oven, hob with extractor fan over and dishwasher. To streamline appearances there is also an integral bin and American style fridge freezer. The pot sink has a mixer tap and also a filtered water tap. For ease of access there are pull out drawers and also a corner carousel unit. White metro tiles with dark grouting complete the look with a south facing dormer window.
Three steps lead up to a mezzanine level with a glazed door with side panels leading to the roof terrace. This mezzanine is the perfect spot for a quiet coffee with a good book or the weekend papers. Through the glass door and you're out onto the roof terrace. Prepare yourself - it's another WOW factor - 300 degree panoramic views taking in Ashton Memorial at Williamson Park to the east, Blackpool Tower to the south and Morecambe Bay and the Lakeland fells to the west. Laid with decking with an outside light, this is an enviable area with room for table and chairs - perfect for al fresco dining or sitting and watching the trains pull into the station. All of life is reflected here - we love it!
All in all, a really rather special two floor apartment in Lancaster's most historic residential area offering a city centre lifestyle.
Services
Mains water, electric, gas and drainage.
Gas fired central heating.
Held on the balance of a 999 year lease where the five flat owners all own an equal share in a company which owns the freehold. Annual service charge of £800 paid in two equal installments. This covers the maintenance of fabric of the main building and the common parts, decoration external and in the hall, building insurance, gutter clearing, a cleaning service for the entrance hall and an external window cleaning service.