Seapoint House, Seapoint Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow, A98EY16

Seapoint House - an historic hidden gem widely reputed to be the oldest surviving house in Bray - occupies a secluded site of approx 1/4 acre towards the eastern end of Seapoint Road at the junction with Seymour Road. It was built c.1750 by the Seymour Family who were ship owners and coal/slate merchants. The building pre-dated the existing harbour, the Victorian Promenade and railway. The original gardens extended northwards to the Dargle River where Seymour's Dock serviced the family's business and extended eastwards to the (then) beach area where the harbour was subsequently developed following the 1834 building of railway. The Seymour Estate comprised a cluster of buildings - including main house, coach house and stables - which were linked to Bray Main Street by 'Seymour Avenue' (now Seapoint Road). Later, Seapoint House was extended on its sea-facing side to approx double its original size, the enlarged dwelling appearing on the Irish Historic Towns Atlas of Bray 1837. Seapoint House, detached and nestling privately in its own mature gardens, is a generously proportioned family home of approx 300 sq metres which exudes character and charm. It comprises drawing room, dining room, study, family living room, 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, guest w.c., large kitchen/breakfast area, pantry and spacious hallways. It retains a multitude of delightful well-maintained period features including high ceilings, ornate cornicing, panelled doors and shutters and impressive marble fireplaces. A highlight of the stairwell, with its original elegant handwrought mahogany rail, is the tall, imposing arched feature window. Filled with natural light from all sides, most of the reception areas and bedrooms are dual aspect and enjoy views of lush greenery from the surrounding gardens. From the upper floors there are views of Bray Head to the south and of the harbour/sea to the east with distant views of Killiney Hill and Dalkey Island to the north. According to an article, published in an early edition of Image Magazine, many of the original features of Seapoint House - particularly the sash windows, shutters, doors, ceilings, fan lights and wood work - were restored in the late 1970's by expert craftsmen from west of ireland. Surrounded by mature grounds, this impressive family home stands proud behind a granite wall with pedestrian access to the front garden and vehicular access to rear garden parking, both access gateways being off Seapoint Road. The front porch is reached via a crazy-paved pathway. The front garden is mainly in lawn with flower beds and bordered by mature shrubs and trees. Within the garden a gable-end gated entrance leads through to the rear garden with ample lawn, patios and shrubbery and high mature tree-lined and/or walled boundaries This secluded area, which oozes olde worlde charm, seclusion and character, nestles around the picturesque original (built c1750) front facade of this family home. Its southerly orientation captures daytime sun and enjoys flowering and fragrant planting that includes Bay tree, Holly, Snowberry, large Castor Oil plant and trees including Beech and Chestnut. Within this garden area there are separate exterior access doors to a boiler house and a large storage area with floored attic, both of which are contained within the main house building. A separate building within the garden provides an additional spacious multi-purpose room, formerly a dwelling, comprising approx 35 sq metres [and with electrical supply]. Overhead this garden building, accessed via steps from the garden area and also via the gated entrance from Seapoint Road, is private parking for two/three cars. The rear garden area also leads, via quaint wrought-iron gate and descending granite steps with railing, to a substantial lower (formerly vegetable/fruit tree) garden area with a pedestrian gate opening into Seapoint Court. This tranquil lower garden could provide a delightful setting for recreational facilities e.g. entertaining/BBQ area or a relaxing refuge such as gazebo/garden room. Seapoint House is set in one of the most convenient and desirable locations in Bray. It is within a few minutes’ walk of Bray town centre, the station with Dart and mainline services, the bus terminal, the harbour and the promenade giving future buyers that perfect mix of convenience, community and settled seaside living. The town centre has a good range of shops, restaurants and bars, newly opened Florentine Shopping Centre and (soon to open) Cinema Complex. The vibrant seafront offers a wide choice of cafes, bars and restaurants to suit all occasions while both the harbour and its mile-long promenade provide opportunities for swimming, water sports, boating activities and all year-round leisurely walks in a stunning seaside setting. At the southern end of the promenade is Bray Head and the popular cliff walk to Greystones while a short distance inland lies Killruddery House and Gardens. Bray is a bustling seaside town 22 kilometres south of Dublin City centre and is acknowledged as the gateway to Wicklow "the garden county of Ireland" with all its exciting opportunities. There are excellent public transport links (Dart and Dublin Bus) and quick access to N11/M11 and M50 road network which provide for easy commutes to Dublin, Dublin Airport (approx 40 minute drive) and beyond. Bray offers a choice of excellent primary and secondary schools, a wide selection of sports and leisure facilities, including golf, tennis, sailing, sea scouts, soccer and other sporting clubs, the Mermaid Theatre and easy access to Universities and Colleges in Dublin. Entrance Hall Through a feature porch with period fanlight above elegant doorway down into a wide and welcoming reception hall with high ceilings and coving ... leading to Inner Hall An impressive traditional oak-floored hall over ten metres long with dividing double doors with decorative fanlight above which has cornicing, period ceiling roses. At one end there is access to the back garden through a glazed door while the other end leads to an elegant stairwell with large arched feature window on return. Understairs storage cupboard. Guest WC Incorporating WC and wash hand basin. Study A peaceful refuge away from the main reception areas, this room enjoys a high ceiling, coving, shelving and a large sash window looking on to greenery and morning sun. Drawing Room A superb dual aspect room it features a high ceiling with elaborate cornicing and centre rose, two large windows and a grey striated marble fireplace as well as oak flooring. Dining Room A fantastic characterful space where one can almost feel the ambiance of bygone days with a dual aspect overlooking the garden, antique astragal glazed cabinet, large marble fireplace, cornicing and oak flooring. Living Room This cosy family room overlooks the rear garden and has a marble fireplace with the over mantle electric lights incorporated in original gas lamp holders. There are low steps leading through glazed arched double doors to kitchen/breakfast room. Kitchen/Breakfast Room This large space has two distinct areas - the kitchen with a generous range of solid oak custom-built cupboard and drawer units, double stainless steel sink/drainer, main back door to back garden, windows overlooking garden plus a separate family dining area which also has a built-in cloak press. Pantry Off the kitchen/breakfast area there is a walk-in pantry with original features which include game-hanging hooks. It has stainless steel sink/drainer, is plumbed for a washing machine, has ample shelving and can accommodate fridges/freezers. Alighting the elegant staircase with feature arched window on the return up to ...... Landing The high ceilings continue upstairs with decorative coving and centre ceiling rose. Main Bedroom A dual aspect room enjoying views over the gardens with extensive fitted wardrobes and storage. The ceilings have original mouldings and a marble fireplace with cast iron hearth and brass inlay. Bathroom 1 Next to the principal bedroom is a large family bathroom incorporating a WC, pedestal basin and shower bath with overhead shower. There is also a large, shelved airing cupboard with dual immersion. Bedroom 2 A second large bedroom to the rear of the property. With dual aspect this bedroom captures distant views of Dalkey and the sea from the rear and is flooded with the morning sun. Other original features include pitch pine flooring, high ceilings with mouldings and a marble fireplace with cast iron inset and slate hearth. Bedroom 3 To the front of the property with dual aspect this double room has wonderful views over Bray Head to the front of the property and sea views to the side. With the original marble fireplace with cast iron inset, high ceilings with mouldings and a wash hand basin. Bedroom 4 A double bedroom overlooking the garden with built-in storage cupboard/shelves/desk and wash hand basin. Bedroom 5 A double bedroom overlooking garden with wash hand basin and original mouldings. Bathroom 2 A second family bathroom incorporating a wash hand basin, w.c. bath and Large built-in shelved airing cupboard incorporating radiator.