14 Ballyholme Esplanade

Some homes offer a wonderful place to live; others offer a lifestyle. This truly exceptional three-storey Victorian residence offers both, occupying a magnificent position with uninterrupted views across Ballyholme Bay, along the Antrim Coastline and beyond to the distant shores of Scotland.

With the ever-changing seascape providing a spectacular backdrop to everyday life, this is a home where the beauty of the coast can be enjoyed from morning until night and throughout every season.

Set within the heart of Ballyholme Village, this impressive period home combines the character, proportions and architectural detail of a Victorian residence with the flexibility and modern comforts required for contemporary family living. Generously proportioned throughout, the accommodation extends to five exceptionally large double bedrooms, five reception areas and a bathroom or shower room on each of the three floors, providing an abundance of space for families, entertaining, working from home or simply enjoying the remarkable setting.

From the moment you step inside, the charm and grandeur of this handsome Victorian home are immediately apparent. Beautiful original features including ornate coving, ceiling roses and decorative architraves create an impressive sense of period elegance, while the large windows draw your attention towards the spectacular views beyond.

The principal reception accommodation on the ground floor is particularly special, with the double reception room making the most of the uninterrupted outlook across Ballyholme Bay. The rear section enjoys a wonderful wood burning stove and direct access to a small courtyard garden, creating a cosy retreat in the cooler months. Imagine settling into an armchair here on a winter evening, watching the changing light across the water as the weather rolls in from Belfast Lough.

The Kitchen/Dining Room is equally impressive, fitted with an extensive range of high and low-level cabinetry, Corian work surfaces and another large wood burning stove. A set of stylish tri-fold doors opens directly into the magnificent conservatory, where a southerly aspect floods the space with natural light. This is a room designed for enjoying the connection between the house, garden and coast, whether hosting family lunches, enjoying morning coffee or simply watching the seasons change. The conservatory opens directly onto the private rear garden, creating an effortless flow for summer entertaining.

Completing the ground floor accommodation is a useful utility room, boot room and downstairs shower room, adding a practical dimension to this wonderfully spacious family home.

The first floor continues to impress, with a formal reception room positioned to the front of the property and once again making enviable use of the breathtaking coastal outlook through its large bay window. This could become one of the most cherished rooms in the house, whether enjoying a morning coffee while watching the yachts and dinghies make their way across the bay or gathering around the wood burning stove as a winter storm sweeps across Belfast Lough.

Two exceptionally generous double bedrooms and a family shower room are also located on this floor, providing excellent accommodation for family members or guests.

Ascending to the second floor, the principal bedroom enjoys an enviable degree of privacy and perhaps the finest view of all. Positioned to the front of the property, the large bay window frames an extraordinary seascape stretching across Ballyholme Bay, along the Antrim Coast and towards Scotland. The principal bedroom also benefits from a large walk-in wardrobe, which offers considerable versatility and could readily be converted to provide a sixth bedroom if required.

Two further generous double bedrooms and a large family bathroom with four-piece suite complete the upper floor.

The outside space further enhances the lifestyle on offer. To the front, the well-manicured garden provides the perfect vantage point from which to enjoy the spectacular sunsets, with the evening sun gradually disappearing behind the Antrim Hills. It is easy to imagine summer evenings spent here with a glass of wine, watching the changing colours across the water as the sun sets over the Bay.

To the rear is a large detached double garage with direct access onto Lyle Road. This substantial space is ideal for storing all the equipment that comes with a coastal lifestyle, whether kayaks, paddleboards, bicycles or dinghies, while also offering excellent potential for conversion into a home office, hobby studio or additional recreational space, subject to the necessary permissions.

The property has been carefully maintained and benefits from full triple-glazed windows to the front, replaced in 2019, together with modern gas central heating and hot water, providing improved efficiency without compromising the character and charm of the original home.

The location is quite simply superb for those who dream of living by the sea. Ballyholme Village is only moments away, with its welcoming selection of cafés, bars and local amenities providing a wonderful village atmosphere. For those who love the outdoors, the sandy shores of Ballymacormick Beach are within easy reach, while the stunning coastline of the southern shores of Belfast Lough provides miles of spectacular walking routes.

For sailing enthusiasts, both Royal Ulster Yacht Club and Ballyholme Yacht Club are readily accessible on foot, while Aurora Leisure Centre and Bangor Golf Club are also within easy reach. The wider town of Bangor provides an excellent choice of nursery, primary and secondary schools, together with independent boutiques, cafés, restaurants and a busy programme of community events, fetes and fayres throughout the year.

Above all, this is a home that celebrates its relationship with the sea. Whether it is waking early for a morning swim in Ballyholme Bay, watching children paddle along the shore at lunchtime, taking an evening walk along the coastline, watching yachts sail across the water or enjoying sunset drinks in the front garden, life here revolves around the beauty and freedom of the coast.

For those who have always dreamed of a true coastal lifestyle, this remarkable Victorian residence represents a rare opportunity to make that dream a reality. Properties offering such exceptional sea views, generous accommodation, period character and direct access to the Ballyholme lifestyle are seldom available.

A thalassophile's dream, this is a home that must be experienced in person to fully appreciate the views, atmosphere and extraordinary lifestyle it offers. Early viewing is highly recommended.