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Property description

Guide price £3,000,000 to £3,250,000

• A fine, Grade II listed, country house nestled in the East Sussex countryside
• Set at the end of its own, long, private drive in grounds of 21 acres
• 7 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 5 reception rooms
• A lovely 1 bedroom annexe (known as the Garden Cottage)
• Grounds include formal gardens, orchard, tennis court, greenhouse, ponds, woods, fields and a lake
• Equestrian facilities: Detached stable block, floodlit menage, and extensive grazing
• Detached 5 bay (one open) tractor / storage barn
• Stunning rural views over its own grounds
• Buxted & Uckfield (mainline stations) are both 10 mins away making it perfect for London commuters

Description

A rare opportunity to purchase a beautiful country home, in an idyllic setting, with no near neighbours, which has been tastefully and sympathetically renovated by its present owner.

Stonehouse benefits from an elevated position, which affords all the reception rooms and most of the bedrooms, wonderful views of the extensive grounds, including the beautiful lake and surrounding grass meadows.

The main house is arranged over three floors:

Ground floor

Reception hall, drawing room, library, sitting room, cloakroom, kitchen / breakfast room, dining room / orangery and utility area with office / bedroom, cloakroom, laundry, large walk-in larder and boot room.

First floor

There are four bedrooms on this floor; The principal bedroom with large ensuite and two dressing rooms and 3 further good size double rooms, one of which has its own ensuite and the other two have a Jack and Jill bathroom between them.

Second floor

Off the landing there are three rooms; a large, vaulted room which is currently used as a bedroom; a good size double room; and a family bathroom.

Workshop & plant room
Attached but not linked internally to the main house is a plant room & a large room currently used as a workshop.

Annexe (garden cottage)
Also attached, but not internally, is the annexe (known as the Garden Cottage). Which comprises a vaulted kitchen / living room with mezzanine, 1 bedroom with en-suite bathroom, a reception hall with front door and its own area of garden at the back which is accessed from the living room.

Outside

Set in the grounds there is a stable block with 4 loose boxes, a floodlit sand school, a 5 bay tractor barn, tennis court, greenhouse and summer house.

Accommodation – ground floor

From the extensive elegant, gravelled driveway and generous parking areas, you are able to approach the main house over a handsome York stone paved pathway that leads up to an impressive oak and stone storm porch with a pair of substantial and imposing double oak doors which open into the property’s main reception hall.

Main reception hall

A naturally light and extensive sized reception hall with a part vaulted high level ceiling as well as wonderful polished oak floors. To the far end of the hall there is a set of French doors that open out on to the substantial rear terrace which overlooks the grounds.

Also, from this generous sized main reception hall, there are two oak character doors which lead off to a library and a drawing room, there is a further similar oak door which fronts the under stairs coats cupboard. In addition, there is a fabulous Arts and Crafts style oak staircase leading up to the property’s first floor accommodation. Opposite the staircase is an extension of the main reception hall which leads to the property’s attractive long inner hallway.

Drawing room

A wonderful character triple aspect room with a continuation of the fine oak floor, impressive high level character oak beamed ceilings, a splendid stone inglenook fireplace with a York stone paved hearth, radiators, wall lights, leaded light windows with beautiful views over the landscaped gardens and grounds.

Library

A room which enjoys an abundance of natural light thanks to large leaded light windows, that perfectly frame the property’s gardens and grounds beyond. The room is arranged with reading and sitting areas and has a range of bespoke fitted oak bookshelves which are complimented by high level character oak beamed ceilings and herringbone oak floors and a fireplace.

Inner hall

Approached from the main reception hall and which leads beyond to the property’s sitting room, cloakroom and large kitchen / breakfast room. Again, this area of the house benefits from an abundance of natural light, including attractive light oak herringbone floors and numerous leaded light windows to one side which enjoy a beautiful aspect over the landscaped drive and gardens.

Cloakroom

With an attractive oak door leading from the inner hall and comprising a W.C., a quarry tiled floor, a wash basin with mixer tap and character vanity cupboard under, radiator, high level oak beamed character ceiling, further oak beams to walls, leaded light window with aspect to the front landscaped gardens.

Sitting room

The attractive herringbone oak flooring continues in this lovely room. It has high level character beamed ceilings, brick inglenook fireplace with oak bressummer beam over, a fitted storage cupboard, radiators, wall lights, leaded light windows with stunning aspects over the wonderful rear landscaped gardens and grounds.

Kitchen / breakfast room

A dual aspect room comprising of high level beamed character ceilings, extensive quarry tiled floors, radiators, ceiling lighting, generous range of character styled cupboard and base units with tiled worksurfaces over, further bespoke fitted shelving and display cabinets, feature aga range cooker (4 oven), separate induction electric hob, feature Corian moulded 1 and 1/2 sink unit with preparation surfaces and drainer area beyond, chrome mixer tap, space for large American style fridge freezer, integrated dishwasher, further fitted electric oven and grill, further granite preparation surface next to aga as well as an aga hot plate to side, large central area for breakfast table, doorway leading from the kitchen / breakfast room to the dining room / orangery, further door leading to utility area, leaded light windows with aspects of both the front and rear landscaped gardens.

Dining room / orangery:
A large room with slate floor, vaulted glazed ceiling with adjustable windows, central trench heating, wooden and glazed windows to side and large French doors. The room enjoys a beautiful aspect over the rear terrace and gardens.

Utility area

The utility area comprises:

Laundry room

Quarry tiled floors, with large ceramic butlers sink with chrome taps, spaces either side for washing machine and dryer, tiled walls, radiators, airing area above, downlighting, storage cupboards, window with outlook to Orangery if required, doors leading off to an Office, a 2nd downstairs cloakroom, a large walk-in larder / pantry and Boot Room that has an exterior door leading to the front driveway.

Office

Also used as a staff room if required, with radiator, downlighting and attractive aspect to the front drive.

Larder / pantry

Also, with a quarry tiled floor, fitted range of storage shelves and base units with worksurfaces over, leaded light windows with aspect to front.

2nd downstairs cloakroom:
With W.C., tiled walls and floor.

Accommodation – first floor

The first floor is approached by the elegant feature large oak staircase from the main reception hall, which leads up to the vaulted and galleried first floor landing.

First floor landing

With a beautiful oak galleried area with windows overlooking the property’s front landscaped grounds, radiators, a host of exposed character oak beams to walls and ceilings, with further windows to one side and leading to all the 4 double sized bedrooms to the first floor, as well as to the door of the concealed staircase leading to the second-floor accommodation.

Principal suite

With entrance vestibule that has a leaded light window with aspect over the front grounds, door into main bedroom suite.

• bedroom
A large room with attractive high level feature character beam to ceiling, radiators, part panelled walls, wall lights, leaded light windows with breath-taking views over the property’s substantial and impressive landscaped gardens. Doors leading to the large ensuite bathroom, a walk-in concealed dressing room and a separate adjoining dressing room on the other side of the bedroom.
• ensuite bathroom
A triple aspect room with radiator and separate heated towel rail, W.C., fitted bath with panelled side and leaded light window with far reaching views of gardens and grounds, separate shower with glazed fronted door, tiled walls and shower control system, wash basin with range of vanity cupboards, fitted shelving and concealed lighting.
• hidden dressing room
With fitted wardrobe cupboards, archers slit style leaded light window looking out to the front, concealed lighting in hanging areas and shelving with downlighting.
• dressing room
A former second bathroom to the principal bedroom this room has fitted wardrobes and windows that look out over the gardens to the lake.

Bedroom 2
A double sized and double aspect room with high level character beamed ceiling, elegant, panelled walls, fitted wardrobe cupboard, windows with stunning views, concealed secret bookcase door to ensuite Jack and Jill bathroom / shower room.

Ensuite jack & jill bathroom shared between bedrooms 2 & 3
Comprised of a roll top bath with ball and claw feet, chrome mixer tap and shower attachment, W.C, pedestal wash basin, tiled walls and floors, chrome heated towel rail, window with fine views, further door to bedroom three.

Bedroom 3
Approached also from the main first floor landing and being a double sized room with high level beamed ceilings, recessed seating area, fitted wardrobes, radiator, windows with fabulous views.

Ensuite jack & jill bathroom shared between bedrooms 2&3

bedroom 4 suite

• anti chamber / dressing area:
Enter this suite via a small dressing area with beamed ceiling, cupboard, radiator and window with views over the front drive, doors leading off to ensuite bathroom / shower room and bedroom.
• bedroom:
With a host of exposed beams to walls and ceiling, window with attractive aspect over the gardens and grounds.
• ensuite bathroom / shower room:
Comprising of a fitted panelled bath with chrome mixer tap and shower attachment, W.C., pedestal wash basin, radiator, separate shower with glazed sides, window with aspect over grounds.

Second floor accommodation

This is approached from the first-floor hall landing area via an old period oak door which opens to a concealed staircase that in turn leads to the second-floor landing.

Landing

Comprising of a vaulted beamed ceiling, radiator, wall lights and doors leading off to bedrooms 5 and six, as well as a further bathroom / shower room.

Bedroom 5
A double sized room with radiator, fitted wardrobes and leaded light windows with fabulous aspect over the property’s stunning landscaped gardens.

Bedroom 6
A double sized and double aspect room with vaulted beamed ceiling, radiators leaded light windows with wonderful views over the property’s beautiful grounds.

Bathroom / shower room

Comprising of a fitted bath with shower area, tiled walls, vaulted beamed ceiling, pedestal wash basin, oak floors, W.C., feature wall and ceiling lights.

Plant room & workshop

Attached but not linked internally to the laundry is a plant room and large room currently used as a workshop which has potential (sttp) to be a games room or to be added in to the annexe as a second bedroom.

Annexe (garden cottage)

This is approached from the front by its own private entrance leading off from the main driveway beyond a further set of impressive metal double gates, as well as from the rear garden.

• reception hall
Attractive oak and glazed exterior door and character storm porch. This reception area has original brick flooring, radiator, beamed ceiling, downlighting, door to annexe bedroom, further doors leading off to the shower room and kitchen / living room. Further retractable ladder to access mezzanine room.

• kitchen / living room
Comprising of attractive oak floors, vaulted beamed ceiling, double aspect area with modern range of Shaker style cupboard and base units with stone and wooden worksurfaces over, 1 12 unit with mixer tap, fitted oven and grill, space for American fridge freezer, ceramic hob, radiators, integrated dishwasher, brick fireplace with fitted wood burner, door to rear garden, windows with outlook to front and rear gardens.

• double bedroom
With a fitted range of wardrobe cupboards including concealed lighting and fitted display cupboards and marble topped vanity area, downlighting, radiator, leaded light window with beautiful aspect over the rear gardens. Door to ensuite shower room.

• ensuite shower room / cloakroom
Comprising of a tiled wet room floor with slate walls and feature wash basin with chrome mixer tap, W.C., chrome heated towel rail and window with aspect to rear grounds.

Grounds

The current owner has taken a great interest in the grounds. He has invested in new storm water drains, tree planting, garden planting, hedging, resurfacing of driveways and other landscaping / garden projects.

Significantly he has deer fenced around 15 acres of the grounds meaning that the garden can now flourish without the deer eating the plants.

He has also created a very attractive spring fed lake that is visible from most of the rooms in the house. It is perfectly framed by the oak trees and in the foreground the garden.

Tennis court

An all-weather tennis court is conveniently located near the main house.

Stables

The stable block is block built and had 4 loose boxes and a tack room and a storage room. Mains water and power. Large parking area.

Sand school

The sand school is 40m x 20m and is floodlit.

Summer house

There is a very pretty summer house with power and water.

Marquee lawn

The present owner has created a flat lawn area overlooking the lake as an area to pitch a marquee for parties/events. Power and mains water to edge of lawn.

Barn

There is a steel framed, secure, detached barn located between the main house and stables. This building has four bays with sliding doors and one that is open. There is also a mezzanine storage area above the fourth bay. Barn has power and mains water.

Potential (sttp) to:

• Convert a large loft space above the principal bedroom suite
• To create a magnificent balcony for the master bedroom by replacing the window in the dressing room with oak French doors and adapting the flat roof in front into a balcony with stunning views of the garden.
• Convert stables into holiday let / ancillary accommodation for staff / guests
• Construct a Heritage-style additional garaging facility
• Convert the workshop to more living space and connect to main house or to the Garden Cottage
• Create a swimming pool