Blackboys, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22

Splendid 17th Century manor house with enchanting walled garden and rural views.

Description

The Manor, which is grade II* listed, occupies a splendid rural setting outside the picturesque village of Waldron in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Waldron is a Saxon village with a 12th century church and a popular pub called The Star Inn.

From its elevated position, the principal reception rooms and bedrooms of the Manor are afforded wonderful far-reaching views over the gardens and land belonging to the property. The generous ground floor has 3 separate reception spaces, including the impressive 45’5 x 18’9 (13.25m x 5.72m) drawing room with a magnificent open fireplace, a characterful reception hall with open fireplace and wooden panelling and a dining room, conveniently adjacent to the kitchen. The kitchen has an oil-fired Nobel Range cooker and there is space for a breakfast table. A door leads out to the covered outdoor pool and terrace area. At the other end of the kitchen there is a door to the 2 bedroom annexe, which provides excellent staff or guest accommodation. At the far end of the ground floor is the cosy study, which has folded linen panelling. There are 6 double bedrooms on the first floor and 3 bathrooms. On the second floor, there are 5 further bedrooms, a family bathroom, linen room and storerooms. This floor is ideal for use as overflow guest accommodation or as a children’s floor.

Outside, the south-east facing stone terrace provides a delightful seating area with lovely views over the gardens to the pasture and woodland beyond. Much work was undertaken in recent times to restore and maintain the impressive garden infrastructure, including the walled ha-ha, with its sunken paved area and gate and in particular, the magical walled garden. This has a revolving summer house and a plethora of fruit trees, including; apples, pears, plums, damsons, and quince. The detached two-storey barn has a garage, workshop, studio and store spaces. The land at Possingworth Manor extends to approximately 17.03 acres and includes the gardens, former grass tennis court area, pasture, a woodland copse and a pond.

Location

Possingworth Manor is located just outside the village of Waldron, to the South-West of the village of Cross-in-Hand and the market town of Heathfield (approximately 4 miles). Heathfield has numerous supermarkets, cafes and restaurants and the larger towns of Tunbridge Wells, Lewes and Eastbourne, reached within approximately 15.4, 11.8 and 20.1 miles respectively, offer a wider range of shopping options, amenities and cultural venues.

The South Downs National Park to the west is renowned for beautiful walking routes, picturesque villages and is home to some of the most well reputed English wine estates, such as Rathfinny at Alfriston. Glyndebourne, with its opera house, is within 12 miles. There are numerous beaches to explore, including; Bexhill, Pevensey, Holywell, Birling Gap and Cuckmere Haven.

Mainline stations: Buxted 3.5 miles (Southern Rail with Services to London Bridge from 1hr 16 mins) or Stonegate 10.4 miles (South Eastern Rail with services to London Charing Cross from 1 hr 11 mins). Alternatively, Tunbridge Wells 15 miles (South Eastern Rail with services to London Charing Cross from 55 mins).

Private and state schools: There are village primary schools at Cross-in-Hand and Blackboys, with secondary schooling at Heathfield Community College which is within approximately 5 miles. Skippers Hill Manor preparatory school at Five Ashes is approximately 4.5 miles, Vine Hall School at Robertsbridge is approximately 14 mile and Battle Abbey, which also has a senior school, approximately 16 miles. For senior schools, there are co-ed options at Eastbourne, Brighton and Upper Dicker (Bedes), for girls at Mayfield and for boys at Tonbridge.
Cross in Hand has a private members health club and the villages around are set in fine countryside, with the choice a number of good local pubs, golf at the East Sussex National and Piltdown and horse racing at Plumpton, Lingfield and Brighton.

All distances and times are approximate.

Square Footage: 8,754 sq ft


Acreage: 17.03 Acres

Directions

From Uckfield High Street, head south on High Street/B2102 towards Mill Lane. In 433ft, turn left on to Framfield Road/B2102. Continue for 3.9 miles then turn left on to Lewes Road/B2102. In 0.4 miles, turn right onto Possingworth Lane and continue for 0.4 miles until you reach Possingworth Manor located on your right.

Distances and times are approximate.

Additional Info

The first recorded mention of a manor at Possingworth dates to 1281, however the current house, with its ashlar façade, dates back to the 17th Century. Lead guttering bears the date 1620, however it is thought that the property was completed in 1657 by the then owner Thomas Offley, who’s initials appear along side this date above a doorway to the east of the house. In 1830 a fire destroyed the south wing and wasn’t to be replaced for many years. In 1864 the manor was purchased by the famed merchant banker Louis Huth who, together with his wife Helen, was renowned for his patronage of the arts. Finding the manor too small and desiring a more contemporary accommodation, Huth built Possingworth Mansion allowing the manor house to be inhabited during this period of ownership by estate managers, family members or tenants. Between 1918 and 1919 Violet Trefusis lived here, at the height of her love affair with Vita Sackville-West. Later Lord Strathcona purchased Possingworth Manor and in 1921 he replaced the razed south wing. Utilising skilled craftsmen, Lord Strathcona repurposed or created many of the interior features to ensure a seamless facsimile of the original south wing and a Jacobean interior, incorporating styles from elsewhere, including the 14th Century possibly French fireplace in the hall and, as a nod to his family’s connection to Canada, the decorative lead guttering featuring a beaver. During WWII both Possingworth Manor and the Mansion were used to billet Canadian forces and after the war the house was taken on by Major Pat Reid, author of the Colditz stories and one of the few people to have himself escaped Colditz.
Within the grounds of Possingworth Manor are various trees of note, including the fine Holm or Holly Oak next to the swimming pool, as well as the vast, conical, Western Red Cedar, which was just twelve foot high when it was planted in 1957 to commemorate the three hundredth anniversary of the completion of the building of the Manor house. However, even this tree is over-shadowed by the venerable age and splendour of the English Oak between pond and the road, with its split trunk held together with chains that have now become part of the fabric of the tree itself.

Agent’s Note: Possingworth Park, which is accessed via Warren Lane, is a 77 acre private park bought by 47 nearby residents in 1990, and which now belongs to 100 share holder/residents. Lady Brenda, the late owner of Possingworth Manor, was one of the founding shareholders. Her share will pass to the new owner of the Manor. There is a £20 annual charge to cover insurance and maintenance.

Services: Mains water and electricity, oil fired central heating and hot water (to both the house and annexe, in addition to the swimming pool, installed 2022), Private drainage.

Outgoings: Wealden District Council:
Possingworth Manor Council Tax: Band H. Oratory Cottage, Possingowrth Manor Council Tax (Annexe): Band D.