F ROM children's birthday parties to yoga classes, the basement at this Lucknow Drive house has proved itself useful for all manner of activities over the years.
The versatile space was one of the major attractions of the property for the current owners, along with its Mapperley Park position and its layout.
"This house dates back to 1901 and was built in an Arts and Crafts style.
"We have been here for 28 years now and are only the fourth people to have ever owned it," said the owner.
"I remember when we came in that first time and just loved the hall. It was a lovely space, with doors coming off all the way round."
She added: "Then we realised the house had a basement downstairs. I grew up in the States and enjoyed having a basement then – in fact, my husband and I were both keen to have one of our own.
"Since then, we have used it all sorts of different ways. I currently have my yoga studio down there, which works very well."
The couple are passionate about the period style of the house and, as such, have changed very little over the years. The kitchen area has been remodelled slightly but they were keen to retain the original walk-in butler's pantry.
"We like having the extra storage space for keeping food cool," she explained.
Upstairs, stud walls were brought in to create a walk-in wardrobe area and an en suite shower room was added to one of the bedrooms.
"Other than that, it has really been a case of painting and maintaining everything as necessary.
"We have left all the original oak and brass fittings in the house, as well as the stained glass, because we liked it all so much."
The house, which sits in about half an acre of land, has generous reception spaces.
"We have a very cosy den, where we have a fireplace and the television. This is where we often go in the evenings.
"We do not use the formal drawing room quite as often now but it is a lovely-shaped room and is great for entertaining."
The dining room also comes into its own on special occasions.
"This has been a wonderful place to entertain and we have had lots of family parties in there – there is room for a large table that everyone can sit round."
All five bedrooms are good sizes and, with high ceilings, are airy and bright.
"The two largest bedrooms overlook the back garden and then two others are at the front. We also have an attic room, which is very nice as it has a bird's eye view."
The garden is well established and features lots of leafy plants and the owners say that throughout the spring and summer, it is a riot of colour.
"In May and June it is particularly beautiful.
"It is a typical English garden."
Mapperley Park has been the ideal base for the family for all these years.
A tranquil area, it is also within easy reach of central Nottingham, good schools and excellent transport links.
"It is close to the city centre without feeling like it, which makes it ideal for work and for a family with teenagers," she said.
"This has been a wonderful family home to us – we have had 28 brilliant years here."
One of the attractions to life at Mapperley Park is its open, leafy feel.
Not far away and ideal for a family day out is Woodthorpe Grange Park.
This is an impressive, large green space that sits on the edge of the city and has a wide variety of facilities, including pitch-and-putt and a tropical house.
Within the park is The Grange, a 19th-century Grade II listed manor house, which sits within a variety of landscapes, including formal gardens, greenhouses, grassland and small wooded areas.
To find out more about this house and its location, call Fine, the selling agents.
