Warm and welcoming home close to the shore in Langstone

You would be forgiven for thinking that Langstone Lodge with its four reception rooms, seven bedrooms and acres of land would feel a little ‘cavernous’.

Not so according to its current owner Mark Effenbergh.

“It is a lovely warm and welcoming family home,” he said. “Ideal for a family even if you have just two children it doesn’t feel too big.”

The number of bedrooms was one of the appealing factors for Mark and his family.

“It meant that our children could have their own bedroom so on a personal level that was important to us,” he said.

“The other factor was the area, there is a pub nearby which was great and my wife and I liked the area and knew the house so when it came up we decided to take a look.

“We could see the potential in the property immediately.”

Moving in 2008 they decided to modernise it and put in a new kitchen and new bathrooms, however the family home does retain many period features including high ceilings, ornate coving, fireplaces, original picture rails, large walk-in bays with folding wooden shutters and polished wood doors with brass furnishings.

With a number of rooms to relax in including a sitting room, snug, reception and dining room it is easy to see why when asked what their favourite room in the house is there is no definitive answer.

“We use all the rooms quite a lot,” Mark said.

“I don’t think we really have a favourite, the kitchen with the dining space is always busy with people, the dining room it a fantastic space if you are having dinner just for two, or six or even 16 people it also lends itself to entertaining.

“The TV room sees a lot of movie nights.

“It is just a really welcoming space and very inviting.”

Situated near Langstone Harbour, an inlet of the English Channel, Mark said that is close enough to the shoreline but doesn’t flood and is easy to get out on to the A27.

It has good transport links to London and Havant railway station nearby has a direct link to Waterloo.

There are great pubs and a number of schools and colleges both in Langstone, Hayling Island and also close by in Chichester and Portsmouth.

“The locality is just fantastic,” he added. “If you need to get to London, which I sometimes do for work the transport links are great.”

For those that like to be near the sea a gate at the end of the garden opens onto a field which leads to the shoreline where you can enjoy a number of walks and sit and appreciate the view.

The popular harbourside village of Emsworth is roughly two and half miles away and has an interesting variety of shops and an excellent and wide choice of restaurants.

A front door with stained glass opens to the entrance hall with oak door and archways leading to a seating and reception area. On the southern wing of the house there is a reception room currently used as an office with dual aspect windows and feature fireplace with log burner.

There are two stair cases which lead up to the first floor, here are five double bedrooms with two on one side of the house close to the secondary staircase that would probably have been used as servants quarters originally.

With so much on offer Mark explained he will miss the area and his neighbours the most.

“It is a property with all upsides and no downsides,” he added.

“There is a lovely warm environment it is a beautiful home.

“I feel very proud when I come up the drive and see it and think that is where I live.”

Langstone Lodge, Langstone, Havant

Six bedrooms, four bathrooms and three reception roomsLangstone Lodge has 3.23 acres of land.Concrete area licenced for helicopter use.Langstone Harbour is an inlet of the English Channel, sandwiched between Portsea Island to the south and west, Hayling Island to the south and east, and Langstone to the north. Together with Chichester Harbour, it is designated as a Special Protection Area for wildlife.Just 200 yards from the shore.Guide price £2,100,000

Strutt & Parker, 31 North Street, Chichester, PO19 1LY. Call 01243 885822.