AN ADDRESS in Hove Park is one of the most sought after in Brighton and Hove.

The spacious park, which was opened in 1906, is at the heart of Hove and has given its name to the surrounding area.

The park has tennis courts, a bowling green, cycle track, children’s play area, cafe and a miniature railway.

It is also the home of the famous Goldstone, after which Brighton and Hove Albion’s former stadium was named. When the Druidic stone was unearthed in the early part of the 19th century, it was estimated to weigh 20 tons. It was moved to its present site when the park opened.

Another sporting link with the area is the Coral Greyhound Racing Stadium and the sports and leisure club in nearby Nevill Road.

The Hove Park area is bordered by Old Shoreham Road to the south, Woodland Drive, Dyke Road Avenue, Dyke Road and the Upper Drive.

Many of the roads are tree-lined with grass verges, and most of the homes have garages, large, well-kept gardens at the front and back and off-street parking.

Some also have swimming pools and tennis courts.

There are other notable parks in this part of Hove including Hove Recreation Ground and Dyke Road Park.

The earliest homes in the area were built at the end of the 19th century and there is now a wide variety of luxury properties around the park.

Hove Park is mainly made up of detached family houses. There are also a good number of large bungalows, chalets and semis, most of which are excellent quality.

The area is not far from the centre of Hove and is also close to the countryside. It has good transport links with easy access to the A27 and A23 and some of the best schools in Brighton city are close by.

In addition, Hove Park is just a few minutes’ drive from the city centre by car or public transport.

Two fine museums are on the boundary of the area. Hove Engineerium, in The Droveway, is a triumph of Victorian engineering. Built in 1875, it once pumped 150,000 gallons of water per hour from a 50-metre deep well.

The Booth Museum of Natural History, in Dyke Road, has more than half a million specimens and reams of natural history literature extending back over three centuries. Exhibits include hundreds of British mammals and birds, a whale and dinosaur bones.

Schools

• Cottesmore St Mary’s Catholic Primary, The Upper Drive, 01273 555811

• Cardinal Newman Catholic School, The Upper Drive, 01273 558551

Hove Park School, Nevill Road, 01273 295000 nBlatchington Mill School, Nevill Avenue, 01273 736244

• Goldstone Primary, Laburnum Avenue, 01273 294851

• Bhasvic (Brighton and Hove Sixth Form College), Dyke Road, 01273 552200