Lovely old Victorian country houses tend to have equally lovely gardens, and Magheralin, a detached three-bedroomed villa at Church Road, Greystones, Co Wicklow, is no exception.

The pretty front garden, with a curving lawn bordered by mature trees and shrubs, gives a hint of what lies beyond the back door.

A wide side entrance also leads to the west-facing rear garden which is wholly private. It has been landscaped to a degree, but not in a hardedged way that would be at odds with the mid-19th century house it embraces. This is very much the peaceful oasis, away from the hustle and bustle, with a velvety lawn, old apple trees and a variety of shrubs reminiscent of the traditional cottage garden.

There is a walled-in patio section with cast iron furniture, designed for dining out on sunnier days, and also a shed with great storage space. The back wall of the house is clothed in climbers, just waiting to bloom come summer.

Inside, the house, built circa 1850, has 102 square metres (1,100 square feet) of floor space; accommodation comprises the sitting room, dining room, kitchen, bathroom and three bedrooms.

Any work required is just some modernisation and updating of decor, as this is a well-maintained home filled with period character. Features include tiled fireplaces, and plaster coving and ceiling roses. Particularly attractive are the high sash windows with working shutters. The old-style, elegant living room benefits from dual sash windows which fill the room with light and overlook the leafy gardens beyond. There is also scope to extend, subject to planning.

Auction: 1 March 2006 Price: AMV 800,000 Agent: Hassett 01-2870068