A GRAND Victorian home has become one of the most expensive ever sold in Bournemouth – even though some neighbours did not know it existed.

While the £1.725million sale price cannot compare with some properties in neighbouring Poole, estate agents say it is the highest paid for Bournemouth’s affluent Talbot Woods.

The Huon, on Branksome Hill Road, was built in 1885, when Bournemouth was expanding rapidly, and was described by Mays Estate Agents as a “stunning gentleman’s residence”.

Ben Dilling, branch manager with Mays in Westbourne, said it was "one of the most expensive houses ever to sell in Bournemouth".

He added: “It’s certainly the most expensive house to have sold in Talbot Woods.

Although the house is set in 1.2 acres of grounds, Mr Dilling said its tucked-away location meant many people did not know it was there.

“A lot of people don’t know that house exists,” he said.

“A client said ‘I lived on this road for 30 years when I was younger – tell me where that house is because I don’t believe what you’re telling me’.

“I’ve worked from our Lilliput office, where you can see properties of up to £10m-£11m.

"I’m a Bournemouth boy born and bred so it’s quite nice to see a house like that in Bournemouth.”

The six-bedroom home had sold for £800,000 in 2006, and its last owners had worked on restoring it to its original glory.

They were impressed by the distinctive 1926 Sanderson wallpaper designed by Harry Watkins – and discovered the manufacturer still had some of the original rolls they could buy for the restorations.

Mr Dilling said the restoration of the original features, combined with investment in modern infrastructure, had returned the house to its original splendour.

The house is hidden behind double electric gates and a private drive. The gardens are Japanese-themed, with a 100ft pond and waterfall as the focal point.

The ground floor of the home consists of a hall, drawing room, sitting room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast/family room, cloakroom, utility room and boot room.

Upstairs are six bedrooms, four bathrooms, a balcony for one of the bedrooms and a linen room.

A basement contains a media room, games room, kitchen, store room and shower room.