Church Lane, Upper Beeding, Steyning, West Sussex, BN44

Beautiful Grade II listed Georgian former vicarage with far-reaching views.

Description

History
Sele Priory has a rich history: although the present house was originally built in 1792 as the vicarage to St Peter’s Church, it stands of the site of the old Benedictine Priory of Sele which was founded by William de Braose before 1096, and probably incorporates the materials of the medieval building. King Edward I stayed here in September 1302 on his way from Arundel to Patching, and Archbishop Peckham lived here in 1282. The property continued as a Priory until 1480, when it was taken into the ownership of the newly-founded college of St Mary Magdalen Oxford; it was subsequently granted to the Carmelite Friars of Shoreham in 1493, and dissolved in 1538. Cardinal Newman, canonised by Pope Francis in 2019 and after whom one bedroom is named, was a frequent visitor between 1862 and 1891.

Sele Priory
A classic Georgian property, with elegant white painted and knapped flint elevations under a slate roof. There are deep bay windows to the symmetrical frontage, and tall sash windows with original shutters at the rear, ensuring plenty of light. Inside, the house has high ceilings, spacious proportions, some working fireplaces and many interesting period details, including the front door with its engaged columns, pediment and semi-circular fanlight over.

Sele Priory has been in the same family for many years, and offers enormous potential for updating to create a wonderful home. Arranged over three floors, the accommodation extends to 5,431 sq ft (including the garaging) with an additional 1,268 sq ft cellar.

The principal reception rooms comprise a dining room and sitting room to the front of the house, with a superb formal drawing room to the rear , and a side extension housing the kitchen/breakfast room. Further accommodation at the north end of the house comprises a study in what was previously the old kitchen (still featuring the period range), a rear hall with WC, giving access to extensive cellars, garage and workshop, and stairs to a large office above. There is potential for alternative use, subject to any permissions required.

The principal bedroom suite occupies the north west corner of the first floor, and has far-reaching views across the valley beyond. It comprises bedroom, dressing room (with potential to become bedroom seven) and en suite bathroom. The rear bedroom on this floor is the Cardinal’s room, and has a delightful outlook over the gardens and grounds to the Downs beyond. There is a further bedroom and a bathroom on the floor.

The second floor offers two bedrooms and a reception room, which could be a further bedroom, and a bathroom; this floor offers potential for staff or guest accommodation. There is some reduced head height along the landing on this floor.

Gardens and Grounds
Sele Priory is approached via a track which leads past the church to the driveway, which has pillars set in a curved, knapped flint wall either side of the entrance. The drive is partially flanked by mature trees and shrubs, shielding the house from sight with a gentle curve. At the far end, a five bar gate opens to the gravelled parking area ahead of the house.

The grounds are laid to lawn to the front of the house, with tall coniferous hedging interspersed by strategic gaps, framing the far-reaching views across the river valley to the north; the grounds lead to the west of the house, opening to a terrace with a well and leading on to the stabling, garaging and workshop.

Beyond lies the summerhouse and outdoor plunge pool, sheltered behind a flint wall.

The rear south facing garden has a terrace adjoining the house, which opens out to a lawn with mature fruit and specimen trees planted.

Behind the stables and the hedging, a path leads down to the former paddock, which is now a haven for wildlife, with a central pond with a bridge and pathways mown to provide interest. In all, about 2.8 acres.

Location

Upper Beeding is an ancient village set in beautiful countryside just outside the South Downs National Park, with a variety of village shops providing for day to day needs, and primary school. Nearby Steyning provides a larger selection of shops (including the award winning Cobblestone walk), a monthly farmer’s market and restaurants, pubs and tea rooms. The seaside town of Shoreham (4.6 miles) has a larger shopping centre, and Horsham (14 miles) offers a comprehensive range of high street and independent shops, restaurants, a theatre, a cinema and a leisure centre.

There are many leisure activities available locally, including local clubs for football, rugby, cricket and theatre; there is sailing along the south coast with marina facilities at Brighton Marina and Chichester Harbour, horse racing at Plumpton and Goodwood, polo at nearby Knepp Castle and Cowdray Park, and golf at Mannings Heath, Singing Hills or Pyecombe. There are miles of walks, with the across the surrounding countryside, with many footpaths readily accessible from the village. Spa and country house hotels include South Lodge, Wickwoods Country Club and Ockenden Manor.

Sussex offers a vibrant cultural scene, with world-class opera at Glyndebourne, classic motor racing at Goodwood, and the annual Brighton Festival presenting a huge programme of theatre, dance, classical music and literary events.

Fast and frequent mainline rail services operate from Haywards Heath (16 miles, London Bridge and London Victoria 44 minutes) with additional services from Brighton (11 miles, London Victoria 51 minutes and London Bridge approximately 56 minutes). Gatwick airport 23 miles.
The A23, A24 and M23 give access to the M25 and national motorway network. There is good range of schools in the area, including Upper Beeding Primary School, Steyning Grammar, Windlesham House, Cottesmore, Worth, Hurstpierpoint College, Christ's Hospital, Farlington, Lancing College, Brighton College and Roedean.
All distances and times are approximate.

Square Footage: 5,431 sq ft


Acreage: 2.8 Acres

Directions

From the northwest A24 at Washington, take the A283 Steyning by-pass and at the roundabout take the second exit into The Street, continuing forward onto High Street.
From the southeast A23/A27, take the A283 north at Shoreham. At the roundabout, take the second exit on to Shoreham Road/A2037. At the next two roundabouts, take the first exit to stay on High Street.

From High Street in Upper Beeding: at the Kings Head, turn into Church Lane (one way). Bear left to stay on Church Lane and then take the second left (signposted T). Keep forward on to the private rack past the church; Sele Priory is on the right.

Additional Info

Services: Mains gas fired central heating. Mains electricity and water. Private drainage (cess pit).

Outgoings: Horsham District Council, . Council tax band B.

Photographs taken: April 2023

Tenure: Freehold

EPC rating: E

Click here for more information on history.