Sancreed, Penzance TR20

Around four miles from Penzance, set in over an acre of secluded grounds, this splendid art-deco residence designed by Geoffrey Bazeley in the mid 1930s is a stunning example of Modern Movement architecture full of original details such as crafted timber panelling, exquisite period light fittings, beautiful bespoke joinery and door furniture befitting of its era. Lovingly preserved, this sensational home offers five bedrooms and two bathrooms across two sweeping storeys; joined together by a stunning central staircase, with a light gallery landing. The principal living room enjoys a southerly aspect and wide open views of the lawned garden and wildflower meadow through the wall of windows that light the dual aspect room. Oak flooring leads you through to a separate dining room, connected by double doors. Thoughtfully updated for modern living, the kitchen has been reconfigured to offer generous space for cooking and entertaining, with the original pantry set to one side. A large games room opens onto the gardens, with access also to the utility room, a single bedroom and the cellar, a former World War II air raid shelter. There is also a study located on the ground floor. Ascending the beautiful staircase, the formidable landing leads off to four double bedrooms and two bathrooms; each with plenty of in-built cabinetry. Access can be gained from one of the bedrooms to the wide balcony and sleeping terrace which wraps the rear façade with its classic, curved period railings. Far-reaching views extend across the gardens, woodland belonging to the property, and the surrounding open countryside towards St Michael's Mount and Mount's Bay. There are distant views to The Lizard. Wrapping around the property, the garden consists of multiple expansive lawned areas, two wildflower meadows and a mature woodland area that in total amounts to a little over an acre. The large garage sits on a sweeping horseshoe-shaped driveway that provides plentiful parking.

Modernism as a movement was centred around innovation, both in design and in materials. Tregannick is an exquisite product of its era, with an undoubtedly impressive exterior. The current vendors have inherited the love of innovation and further enhanced the form and function of the house to make it as energy efficient as possible. Tregannick has been significantly upgraded in recent years to incorporate significant roof, floor and external wall insulation. As a result, the house now has an EPC rating of B. Heating and hot water are provided by two 9kW EVO Ground Source Heat Pumps, 3.86kW of solar panels are installed on the roof. There is in excess of £50,000 in the form of Feed in Tariff and Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive payments still due. The garage contains a 10kWh battery system controlled by a Victron Charger/Inverter. Through the summer, it is used to store excess solar energy from the panels to be used once the sun goes down, while also providing an uninterruptible power supply. When the batteries are full, excess energy is diverted into the immersion heater in the hot water tank.

Geoffrey Bazeley (1906-1989), born in Penzance into a family of shipowners and traders, studied architecture at Cambridge University and subsequently at the Architectural Association in London. He was first employed as an assistant to G. Grey Wornum on the RIBA building on Portland Place, London W1. Then, in 1933, he began working for the revered Russian-born modernist Serge Chermayeff (who co-designed Britain"s most iconic 1930s building, the De La Warr Pavilion), acting as the principal assistant for Shrub's Wood in Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire. When commissioned to build this house, Bazeley returned to Cornwall and set up his own practice there. It was his first major solo commission, and clearly shows how he had imbibed the lessons of both Serge Chermayeff and his illustrious partner, Eric Mendelsohn.

The plot on which this iconic building sits, is not in any way overlooked, and the property can be found off a quiet country road leading from Penzance to Sancreed. Sancreed is a much sought after, and peaceful hamlet minutes away from Penzance and the reaches of West Cornwall. Nearby is St Just, a vibrant West Cornwall town with many local facilities and shops. There are some excellent schools nearby, including Mousehole School, Cape Cornwall School, Nancledra School and St Hilary School in Penzance. There are direct train services from Penzance Station that run to London Paddington in just over five hours. With easy access to the A30, Exeter is two and a half hours by car, while London can be reached in six hours. Newquay airport is an hour away and has regular flights to London as well as many other UK and continental airports.