Privacy, location and many rooms with a view

CLOSE the gate, go down the steps, and the bustling world is a remove away from Vista Villa — a Montenotte, Cork, home with an apt name.

The house is set below the road level on the Middle Glanmire/Montenotte Road beyond the country club, within walking distance of the city, in a venerable residential suburb.

Vista Villa has large, terraced south-facing gardens running down and away from the house, and with its 1,950 sq ft of space it carries a price guide of €480,000 with agent Valerie Parkes of Sherry FitzGerald.

It trades its superb privacy and location upsides with its access downside: the road is right by the gate, without footpath, and while there's a compact garage, entry and exit is a bit of a chore. Removing the garage and putting in a parking deck might solve the issue, and it is worth the effort.

The southerly aspect overlooks Cork's docklands, where the council has ambitious plans for regeneration.

Vista Villa is a quality five-bed detached, period home, with its rear parked into the steep hillside rising to the road above it. There's a useful store room tucked away at the back of the house, just a bit short on natural light.

There are two fine, bright south-facing reception rooms to the front, each with a double window, with a sunny terrace in front.

The drawing room, with a superb pale stone fireplace, is 25' deep by 12' wide, while across the equally deep but narrow hall is a family room of 16' by 12'.

Beyond the family room, and through an archway, is the similarly sized kitchen/dining area, with pine units, brightened by an end window to a yard.

The first floor has five bedrooms, two to the bright front and three behind, as well as a study, bathroom and new shower room.

Upgraded in its current ownership, Vista Villa has gas heating and double glazing.