Why you should move to a Victorian or Edwardian property WORDS BY EMMA MAYOH

Beautiful stained glass windows with intricate and colourful designs, grand, ornate features and styling that took inspiration from the Arts and Crafts movement can all be found in Victorian or Edwardian properties. These homes with high ceilings and staircases that wind their way up through the building are popular choices for homeowners who love period features, houses with history or, in some cases, a project to transform a run down property.

The population boom during the Victorian era meant there were many properties built between the 1930s and early 1900s. Over time, through modernisation and changes in fashions, some period features have been removed. However, some home owners are lucky and find a home that has retained original features including fireplaces, cornicing and high skirting boards as well as huge bay windows with sash opening and wooden floors.

Chester is a good place to see some fine Victorian architecture. This period included several projects from renowned Sandiway architect John Douglas. He designed hundreds of buildings in Cheshire and North Wales including working with renowned potter Herbert Minton on the design on the interior of St Wilfrid’s Church in Davenham as well as on several projects for the Duke of Westminster including the remarkable Eaton Hall estate. He also designed Chester’s iconic Eastgate Clock and worked on commissions for some of Cheshire’s most established families.

When the Edwardian era arrived d�cor and styling became more simple and clean. It may have been a short period - from the start of King Edward VII’s reign to the start of the First World War - but this was an influential time.

There was a huge housing boom and more houses started to spring up in suburbs around towns and cities. It was about simple designs and making the most of materials that could be found locally. Some designs did mirror that from the Victorian period but others took inspiration from other elements including the Arts and Crafts movement.

One of the areas in Cheshire that used principles from the latter is Port Sunlight Village in Wirral. Here, you will also see the beautiful Lady Lever Art Gallery, which is full of Edwardian charm.

In many towns and villages around Cheshire, there are beautiful Victorian and Edwardian properties on the market. And the appeal of owning a home like this, packed full of original or interesting features, is irresistible. If you’ve owned an older property before then you are possibly aware of the positives and pitfalls associated with them.

The best option is just to proceed with caution. Get specialist advice and do your own research. It may cost extra money and take more effort, but the reward of enjoying your new home will be worth it.

To visit the newly launched homes24 website powered by Zoopla.co.uk, go to - http://www.homes24.co.uk