Bungalow family home is a delight on many levels

WITH all its rooms on different levels, it is easy to see why Matthew Adams fell in love with this unique home, which he used to pass every day on his way to work.

“I always loved the view and position, so when it came on the market, I bought it.

“The location makes you feel like you are in the countryside, but with all the local amenities. And I loved the fact that it is all on different levels.

The word “bungalow” is an Anglicisation of a Hindi word meaning a small one-storey house with a thatched roof and veranda, which can be dated back to 1659.

The first bungalow in Britain was built by a Colonel Bragg, who, returning from India, built a lodge with Indian features in Norwood, London, in the 1860s and called it The Bungalow.

“The original part of this bungalow was built around 1890 and was the holiday home of the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Shipley,” says Andrew, who has lived there with his wife, Lynda, and two daughters, for the past seven years.

The garden was overgrown with weeds and the three bedroom bungalow was outdated when the Adams family moved in.

Since then it has been totally updated with a new kitchen, bathroom, a complete rewire and central heating installed.

For the most part everything went smoothly, apart from when Andrew wanted to move some appliances and had to drill a four-inch hole through the wall. “It took a day and a half because the walls are two feet thick.”

If the word ‘bungalow’ conjures up a visit of a dull, boring, single-storey home, suitable only for retirees, then perhaps you should think again because the layout of one-storey homes are often ideal for modern lifestyles – and big parties, and in fact are now the most sought-after properties in the UK

The lounge has three windows, meaning the whole space is flooded with light. There are two bedrooms, bathroom and a cloakroom on the lower level – bedroom one offering panoramic views.

In the modern dining kitchen there is a range of gloss wall and base units, integral double oven, washing machine and dishwasher, together with a double fridge/freezer and a five-ring gas hob.

To the side is the master bedroom with fitted wardrobes and walk in wardrobe.

“The bathroom is our favourite room. It’s really spacious and has a free-standing bath, walk in shower and his and her sinks.”

Andrew thinks Tavistock is a great family home: “The sun room, separate kitchen dining room and living room gives a separate space when required or a good family space.

“Also as it has Sky TV in all the rooms it’s good for getting away to watch the football.”

Lynda is a keen gardener so there are a variety of plants and shrubs throughout the gardens: “But to sit in the sun room with the bi-folding doors open in the summer, or sat out on the decking is like being abroad.”

“We’ve loved living here, sitting outside and looking across the views, and being just far enough away to feel like you’re in a peaceful, quiet location, yet close enough to still have good neighbours and amenities.”