East Chiltington, Lewes, BN7

Rafters is a truly exceptional house, set amid beautiful rolling grounds of about 5 acres on the cusp of the South Downs National Park. The grounds are a fabulous highlight, with box hedges enclosing garden spaces for entertaining and a swimming pool, and paddocks and stabling perfect for equestrian use as well as a collection of outbuildings. The main house offers versatile and wonderfully spacious accommodation of more than 3200 sq ft, packed with character features like exposed beams, a vast brick inglenook fireplace and wooden doors, which is combined to great effect with more modern additions such as stylish bathrooms and a contemporary farmhouse kitchen. There is also a detached one-bedroom cottage, offering space for visiting family or as an income generator.

Interior
Rafters is built in the traditional Sussex vernacular, of red brick and tile hung elevations under a tiled roof, with beautiful timber framing seen throughout the interior. The layout is very versatile, with a choice of spacious reception rooms for both formal and informal occasions, and a fabulous farmhouse kitchen with an AGA and attached laundry. The main reception room is a particular highlight, split into two separate areas by a central wall and wood-burning stove, with views over the gardens to the front and rear. Upstairs, four roomy double bedrooms and a further single bedroom offer a wealth of space, and there are three separate bath and shower rooms. A further mezzanine room, accessed from the landing, would make a lovely home office or a brilliant play room for children.

In addition to the main house there is a detached and entirely self-contained one-bedroom cottage, which is equally as well presented as the main residence. The cottage comprises a reception room, kitchen, double bedroom and bathroom, and would be suited to an au pair, older children or grandparents living at home, or as a holiday let.

Outside

The house is set within grounds of about 5 acres, with equestrian facilities including fenced paddocks with field shelters and two blocks of stables – one brick, one timber – plus scope to install an arena (subject to permissions). Additional outbuildings include a studio, garage, workshop and barn, which all offer plenty of storage and fantastic scope for development, if desired. The gardens are beautifully landscaped, with hedges enclosing rolling lawns, ponds, vegetable plots, terraces and flowerbeds, as well as a brilliantly private outdoor pool. A sweeping drive leads to a generous parking area and a pretty front garden, affording a charming first impression.

Situation

The small and very popular village of East Chiltington has a parish church and public house, The Jolly Sportsman, situated at the foot of the South Downs with close proximity to the South Downs National Park which provides outstanding countryside for riding, walking and cycling. The bustling city of Brighton is about 10 miles away with the A27 providing fast access to the A23/M23, Gatwick Airport and national motorway network. There is a large selection of excellent schools within the area, including Lewes Old Grammar, Brighton College, Roedean school, Burgess Hill School For Girls, Hurstpierpoint College, Cumnor House, Great Walstead, Worth Abbey and Ardingly College. Cooksbridge station (2 miles) offers trains to Victoria/London Bridge in approximately 60 minutes. Haywards Heath station (7.5 miles) has services to London in about 43 minutes. Lewes (4.5 miles) offers trains to London in about 70 minutes.

Additional Information

Agent’s Note
There is a footpath that runs across the field.

Local Authority
Lewes and Eastbourne Councils.

Council Tax
Band H

Services
Mains water, electricity and drainage are supplied to the
property. Oil-fired central heating.