The Street, Firle, BN8

Black Tile House offers a once in a generation opportunity to acquire a home in the picturesque downland village of Firle.

Nestled in the heart of the sought-after village this wonderful Grade II listed home is believed to date back to the late eighteenth century. The property has been lovingly renovated by the current owners under the guidance of Listed Building Control. The owners have embraced modern design to create a contemporary home, whilst being deeply sympathetic to the buildings character.

The property is clad in striking black glazed mathematical tiles which were popular in Sussex during the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. The façade has been beautifully restored during the recent renovations with handmade tiles from Hastings. To the rear we find the modern addition which offers a contemporary side to the property’s character, finished externally by the award winning Flintman Company with exquisite knapped flint walls which dazzle in the wet, and an expanse of impressive glazed doors, which open onto the garden.

The house sits away from the street allowing each room of the property to look out onto the beautifully presented and thoughtfully planted gardens which wrap around the property.

A discrete white painted gate opens to a brick laid pathway that leads under an intended rose clad arbor to the front door.
Once inside we find ourselves in the first of many Receptions with views straight through the home onto the rear garden.

The walls of the reception room have been finished in a breathable lime wash, and underfoot we find solid wood floors adding warmth to the room. A sash window looks onto the delightful front garden and a stone fireplace provides a focal point of interest.
To the side a door opens to the impressive Kitchen Day Room.
The stunning bespoke kitchen is by DeVOL with Perrin and Rowe brass taps and appliances from Fisher and Paykel. The Kitchen has been finished in a two tone colour scheme featuring a mottled grey and deep rich blue island, all complemented by white marble worktops. Above we see painstakingly restored exposed beams with solid wood floors below. Double doors open to the front garden which provides a delightful breakfast spot. We also find a modern wood burning stove set into a chimney place within the Kitchen Day Room. A door opens to the Utility Room which offers access to the garden, and internal Critall Glazed doors open to the modern extension.
To the rear of the property is an unashamedly modern addition boasting an impressive expanse of glass which slide with ease and open to the garden. A modern wood burning stove and an elevated window seat, which draws you into the garden, provide a cosier aspect to an otherwise light and bright room. The room offers flexible and versatile living accommodation.
Within the Living Area we find a Library or Study area featuring bespoke fitted cabinetry and solid wood floors. Throughout most of the ground floor we find under floor heating.
Next is the more formal Sitting Room found at the front of the property and enjoying views to two sides over the flourishing garden. The Sitting Room offers a more traditional feel with decorative ceiling cornices and again finished with Bauwerk lime washed walls and solid wood floors. A third wood burning stove set within a stone mantel and hearth, completes the room.

The cellar reveals the true age of the property with exposed walls and with a little thought could create a wonderful wine store.
Completing the ground floor accommodation is a Cloakroom.
To the first floor we find 3 Double Bedrooms two of which accommodate EnSuite Bathrooms by West One Bathrooms.
The Principal Bedroom enjoys elevated views to the front over the established garden. The bedroom features Bauwerk breathable lime washed walls and an enviable EnSuite Bathroom. The sumptuous EnSuite by West One Bathrooms features a gorgeous bath and separate shower with rainfall shower head, and a beautifully simplistic basin by Agape, all complimented by luxurious brushed gold fittings.
Bedroom 2 much like the principal bedroom enjoys splendid views over the garden and a pretty EnSuite Shower Room. The EnSuite Shower Room comprises a shower with fixed glass screen, and a particularly special basin by Agape complimented by exquisite, brushed gold taps.
Bedroom 3 was designed to be a Dressing Room however makes a comfortable double bedroom in its own right, and enjoys delightful views over the rear garden.
To the second floor we find excellent storage and a selection of rooms which could be used for a variety of purposes from Bedrooms a Nursery, Home Office or perhaps a Hobby Room.
The top floor opens into the first room with double doors opening to a side room with rooftop views over the village. To the other side we find Bedroom 4 which features 3 fitted beds with cleaver storage below. Bedroom 4 leads onto the Bathroom which features a vaulted ceiling with exposed beams.

Properties are seldom available in this quintessential Sussex village with only twelve homes believed to be in private ownership. It is understood that this is only the third time Black Tile House has become available for purchase and possibly the first time the property has been publicly marketed.

Nestled within the South Downs National Park the extremely desirable village boasts a wealth of charm and character and accommodates a local Primary School, Village Shop and Post Office, the popular Ram Inn Public House, and splendid scenic walks, notably over Firle Beacon and through the local countryside.

The property is approached by a pair of electric gates opening onto a gravelled laid driveway providing parking for multiple cars. A modern Garage with oak doors provides useful storage with PV Solar panels above.
The beautiful Gardens are delightful, being established and strategically planted to provide privacy and shelter. Within the flint walls surrounding the gardens we discover areas of lawn, with established plants and shrubs, a paved terrace protruding from the property creating a wonderful alfresco dining space and numerous pathways which meander through the garden and to the Pool. The Swimming Pool has been extensively refurbished, featuring a modern air source heat pump and hard cover. A newly developed Shower Room has been thoughtfully designed to be accessible from the pool area.

Accolades

Black Tile House has been nominated and indeed awarded for the renovations completed and has featured in RIBA Journal and Listed Property Magazine. The property has also been credited as ‘Highly Commended’ by Sussex Heritage Trust 2023, and has been shorted for the ‘Listed Property Awards 2024’ and entered into the ‘South Downs National Park Awards 2024’

Council tax band – G