Balcombe Road, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16

Elegant and beautifully presented period family home

Description

49 Balcombe Road, also known as 'Court House', is an attractive period property set down a gated driveway in a sought after location on the northern edge of Haywards Heath. Understood to date from the turn of the last century, the house has been extended over time, resulting in a well-proportioned and beautifully presented home. High ceilings, timber-framed sash and casement windows, a beautiful turned staircase with cast iron balustrade and stripped wood floors, sit alongside light and bright neutral décor, a spacious shaker-style kitchen, partial underfloor heating and stylish classic-style bathroom suites, combining elegant period features with modern comfort.

The front elevation is particularly appealing, with its double-fronted façade and charming arched window above the pillared porch. The front door opens to a welcoming entrance hall, featuring a graceful turned staircase rising to the galleried landing above. There are two formal reception rooms, both with woodburners: a versatile L-shaped sitting room, and a generous drawing room with bi-fold doors opening to the rear terrace.

The kitchen and dining room is a lovely dual-aspect room with bi-fold doors opening to the garden, a further stable door, and ample space for a dining table and/or sofas. The kitchen is fitted with a range of modern shaker-style cabinetry with granite worktops, a central island and a Rangemaster oven; there are spaces for further appliances.

Also on the ground floor is a study (or fifth bedroom) with en suite shower room, a utility room serving the kitchen, and a cloakroom. The study, shower room and utility room have excellent potential to be converted into a compact self-contained annexe, subject to the necessary consents.

There are four good-sized bedrooms on the first floor, all with stripped wood floors and built in or fitted storage cupboards. The principal suite is particularly impressive, comprising a wonderful vaulted bedroom with good range of wardrobe space, together with an en suite shower room; the other bedrooms are served by a recently refitted family bathroom (2023) with high-end fittings including a freestanding bath, twin basins and a separate shower. Bedroom two has an en suite wash room.

Outside
Court House is accessed from Balcombe Road via timber double gates, which open to a driveway leading on to a parking area ahead of the house and detached garage, flanked by neatly kept front gardens.

There is gated access at both sides of the house to the part-walled south-facing rear garden, where a paved terrace extends around the property, offering space for an outside table and chairs. Adjoining the terrace is an elegant ornamental pond, beyond which is a pergola-covered barbeque area. The remainder of the garden is laid to level lawn, edged by borders, with a beautiful mature magnolia as a focal point. In the south western corner of the garden is a part-paved kitchen garden, with an area of decking, timber summer house and lean-to greenhouse.

In all, the plot extends to about a third of an acre.

Location

Balcombe Road is a popular road northern side of Haywards Heath, within approximately three-quarters of a mile (14 minutes’ walk) of the mainline railway station, and a short distance of the town centre. Haywards Heath and its neighbouring villages provide for day to day needs, offering a range of supermarkets, independent and chain shops, bars and restaurants, and a leisure centre. Further shopping, leisure and entertainment is available in Lewes (10 miles), Brighton (14 miles), and Royal Tunbridge Wells (20 miles).

Sussex offers many leisure activities locally including golf at East Sussex National, Mid Sussex, Pyecombe and Lindfield clubs, tennis clubs including Wickwoods Country Club, Haywards Heath and Lindfield, sailing at Brighton Marina, and a variety of local and county athletics, cricket, rugby and football clubs to suit all ages and abilities. There are miles of footpaths and bridleways across the surrounding countryside, the South Downs National Park and Ashdown Forest. Spa and country house hotels include South Lodge, Ockenden Manor, and Alexander House.

Sussex offers 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.

Haywards Heath offers regular rail services to London Victoria and London Bridge/St Pancras International, journey time from 45 minutes. To the east, the A23/M23 gives access to Gatwick airport (16 miles), central London (36 miles) and the south coast.

There are many highly regarded state and private schools in the local area including Cumnor House, Handcross Park, Great Walstead School, Burgess Hill Girls, Lewes Old Grammar and Ardingly, Hurst and Brighton Colleges.

All distances and journey times are approximate; walking times taken from Google Maps.

Square Footage: 2,825 sq ft


Acreage: 0.32 Acres

Additional Info

Services: Gas fired central heating, underfloor to the kitchen, study/ground floor bedroom and part of the sitting room. (New water boiler installed 2023.) Mains gas, electricity, water and drainage. Solar panels for heating and hot water.

Outgoings: Mid Sussex District Council, . Tax band G.

Photographs taken: January 2024.

Cladding: This property may have cladding. The property is under six floors so any cladding may not have been tested. Purchasers should make enquiries about the external wall system of the property, if it has cladding and if it is safe or if there are interim measures in place.