Grafton Road is located to the south of Selsey, starting at the crossroads with East Street and running parallel to the High Street, all the way to Oval Field Beach and Bill Point – the southernmost tip of West Sussex.
Plans for this street, among others, were shown on the Ordnance Survey map of 1912 as Selsey was slowly beginning to grow from a quiet fishing village into a more vibrant coastal community. The road name is believed to honour Frederick William Grafton who was Lord of the Manor of Selsey from 1878 until his death in 1890.
In terms of architecture, Grafton Road boasts an interesting mix of residential property styles. At the northern end you will find a collection of charming Victorian semi-detached houses with bay windows, decorative brickwork and ornate porches which lend a feeling of timeless elegance to the street. However, the vast majority of properties along this road are detached, ranging from characterful cottages built in the 1920’s and 30’s to spacious post-war bungalows. There are even some more uniform modern houses, built by Prowting Homes in the late 1990’s on the edge of their popular Broadreeds Park development. One such property that fronts Grafton Road is in fact the former show home! Most properties along this road enjoy off-street parking plus gardens to both the front and rear, many of which are desirable west facing ones!
Nestled among this eclectic mix are some substantial individual properties, including a few that were built during the early 1900’s and are of historical interest such as ‘Three Chimneys’ and ‘Utopia’, the latter having once been home to Group Captain Edward ‘Teddy’ Donaldson who broke the World Air Speed Record in 1946 flying a Gloster Meteor; the house now bears a blue heritage plaque in honour of his achievement.
No article about Grafton Road would be complete without a mention of The Bill House. This substantial Grade ll listed Arts & Crafts property, designed by renowned architect of the time M. H. Baillie Scott and completed in 1907, was built around a paved courtyard and enjoys sea views from three sides, even boasting its own lookout tower. The Bill House has worn many guises over the years, starting life as a guesthouse for holidaymakers visiting the Selsey seaside and later becoming a private residence. In recent years the property has been the subject of a multi-million pound renovation and it is now a care home for dementia patients, sitting in just under two acres of grounds with a specially designed garden to promote calm for residents.
Grafton Road has also been the site of some archaeological interest over the years, with a Roman Villa and a haul of hundreds of coins being discovered in the 1930s. Later, whilst a bungalow was being built in the late 1950’s, workmen discovered a dish that turned out to be an early Roman period platter!
With such beautiful homes lining it and with the beach and local amenities including the bus route within a short walking distance, Grafton Road offers an abundance of both kerb appeal and convenience. It is no surprise that it remains a favoured residential location here in Selsey.
Check out the details for the stunning property we currently have for sale on Grafton Road here: https://bit.ly/43Eiw6M.
Selsey – 01243 607866
selsey@gilbertandcleveland.co.uk