Gillridge Lane, Crowborough, East Sussex

Located towards the end of a private lane, this beautiful and characterful family home nestles in circa 7.47 acres of grounds and a paddock, surrounded by farmland in the High Weald AONB. The drive leads to an oak framed three vehicle garage with a first floor studio/gym and another building that includes two stables, a hay store and a tractor shed.

The brick barn and roundel were constructed around 1880 and still include a plethora of beams and all the rooms have oak doors. The front door opens into a hallway and corridor with storage cupboards and a shower room and access to the office, the snug with fitted bookshelves and a log burner and the elegant triple aspect circular living room in the oast features a brick surround fireplace and a door to the terrace.

A spacious dining room has direct access to the large, modern but country style kitchen/breakfast room. This includes Spanish marble flooring, an Aga, painted shaker style units with granite worktops housing various appliances, a large central island/breakfast bar and French doors to the impressive pitched roof conservatory with French doors to the terrace. There is a utility room and stairs down to the well fitted wine cellar. Beyond the snug is a double bedroom and ensuite bathroom.

The first floor landing has a vaulted and beamed ceiling and access to two family bathrooms and four double bedrooms including a circular triple aspect room in the roundel. The second floor also includes a vaulted and beamed ceiling landing with a study area and a triple aspect circular double bedroom with spectacular views.

A sandstone terrace, bordered by swathes of lawn interspersed with trees and shrubs, leads to a charming lake and a wrought iron gate that opens into the large paddock. The perimeter of the grounds includes high trees and stock fencing while much of the garden is surrounded by two metre close board fences and high-quality estate fencing to keep the deer out of the garden.

What the Owner says:

What the owners say: We moved here nearly 30 years ago with our four small children and had the joy and privilege of being able to complete and enhance the conversation of the oast and barn. It has really been a rural paradise and we shall be very sad to leave but, as the children have now all flown the nest, it is time for us to downsize.

We shall have very happy memories of our time here, of when the children were young and enjoyed playing hide and seek in the woodland areas, riding their ponies in the paddock and entertaining friends and family. We even hosted two weddings in the paddock, among other events, and the caterers were delighted to have access to such a lovely kitchen in which to prepare the food.

The oast is located halfway along what is reputed to be the longest bridlepath in East Sussex. There are numerous public footpaths close at hand, plus the benefit that as neighbours of Penns Estate, (adjoining the property) it is possible to obtain a six-month walking or riding permit, subject to the agreement of the Estate Office, giving miles of countryside walks for those keen to explore the area further.

It is very quiet, peaceful and secluded and much of the time the only sounds you hear are bird songs or the occasional stag call, in season. The grounds and garden are truly ‘wildlife central’ and are filled with a wide variety of feathered friends and furry animals.