An elegant Grade II listed former farmhouse with beautiful landscaped gardens and outdoor pool.

Description

Horstedpond House is a delightful detached property, set in over an acre of beautiful grounds; it is Grade II listed, and offers much period character and charm. The property is believed to date from the Tudor period, and the southeast corner of the house has 16th century ceiling beams; the major portion of the house was added in the early nineteenth century, with a classic symmetrical Georgian facade of red brick, set with a painted wood front door and semi-circular fanlight, under a hipped slate roof.

Horstedpond House was acquired in 2003 by the current owners, who created a wonderful family home by undertaking a programme of improvements inside and out, including extending the house by cleverly linking the kitchen to the old breadhouse to create an open plan kitchen/dining/sitting room, and substantially landscaping the rear garden to offer a series of outdoor rooms that are ideal for entertaining.

The house is beautifully presented both inside and out, with decor in keeping with its period style (it has featured in a number of well-known interior decoration magazines), and is ideally suited to family life, offering plenty of reception space and five bedrooms arranged over three floors.

The reception hall sets the scene for the house, with wood flooring, high ceilings and double wood doors giving access to the formal drawing room, a wonderful room in the later portion of the house, with tall sash windows with interior secondary glazing panels boxed in below. This room may once have been two sperate room, as his it has two marble fireplaces, the southern of which is in working order. French doors open to the rear garden, framing the pretty views across the gardens and grounds.

To the right of hall, in the older portion of the house, is the original staircase and access to the family room, with a fireplace set with a woodburning stove. Beyond lies the open plan kitchen/dining/sitting room. The kitchen is well-equipped with painted wood cabinets under stone surfaces and a two oven oil-fired Aga; there is a central wood-topped island with a Neff single electric oven, space for a fridge/freezer and cellar access.

Steps lead down to the glass link extension which joins the main house to the former breadhouse, giving access either side to the kitchen garden and the brick paved patio; it opens to the dining/sitting room, a cosy room with plenty of space for a sofa ahead of the brick fireplace, which is set with a Clearview woodburning stove. To the side of the fireplace is access to the utility/bootroom, which opens in turn to the rear garden. A cloakroom, lying off the hallway, completes the ground floor.

A turned Georgian staircase leads up to the first floor, leading to a galleried landing around which are arranged three bedrooms and a superb family bathroom, with a roll top claw foot bath and dual basins with marble surround. From the landing steps join this section with the older portion of the house, where the principal bedroom, its separate dressing room and a shower room lie. The original staircase leads up to the second floor, where two further bedrooms and the eaves storage are situated.

Outbuildings, gardens and grounds
The property is approached from Lewes Road via a private track over which the house has right of way; this opens to the driveway and parking to side of the house. The current owners added a brick and timber garage building, offering two secure parking bays and a workshop on the ground floor, with a home office over.

There is pretty front garden, with well-stocked flower beds with a path leading to the front door; to the east of the house, the gardens are mainly laid to lawn to the west of eth house, stretching gently away to an orchard and pond. The western elevation is clad with wisteria, and a path leads to the rear.

The rear garden is a particular feature, having been landscaped with brick paving and sophisticated, understated planting scheme creating a series of seating and entertaining areas; these are complemented by an open outdoor bar with power and water connected. To the rear of the bar is the pool changing room and shower.

Steps lead down to the heated outdoor swimming pool, which is sited on the northern boundary.

In all, about 1.2 acres.

Location

Situated in a semi-rural location on the outskirts of Little Horsted, near Uckfield. Little Horsted has a nursery and primary school, hotel and church. Uckfield (1.3 miles) offers a variety of shops and recreational amenities including Waitrose and an independent cinema and the County town of Lewes lies about seven miles to the south. Both Uckfield and Lewes provide regular train services to London, journey time from each station is about 70 minutes. In addition, Haywards Heath provides a regular service of trains to London (Victoria, London Bridge and Thameslink services) with journey times from 42 minutes.
Gatwick Airport lies 25 miles to the north west, as does junction 10 of the M23 which links to the M25 and wider motorway network.

Sussex offers excellent and varied opportunities for a range of equestrian and sporting pursuits, with many walks across the surrounding countryside, golf at Piltdown and East Sussex National, and sailing along the south coast.

The area has a vibrant cultural scene, with world-class opera at Glyndebourne and the annual Brighton Festival presenting a huge programme of theatre, dance, classical music and literary events. Local spa and country house hotels include the East Sussex National and Horsted Place.

There is an excellent range of state and independent schools in the area, including a nursery and primary schools in Little Horsted, Uckfield Community Technology College, Lewes Priory, Cumnor House, Lewes Old Grammar School and Hurstpierpoint, Brighton and Eastbourne Colleges.

All times and distances are approximate.

Square Footage: 3,773 sq ft


Acreage: 1.2 Acres

Additional Info

Agent’s note: The vendor is related to a member of Savills staff.

Services: Oil-fired central heating. Mains electricity and water. Private drainage.

Outgoings: Wealden District Council,[use Contact Agent Button]. Council tax band H.