Chiddingly, East Sussex, BN8

Parsonage Farm is a much-loved Grade II listed family home with over 25 acres of land, understood to have origins dating from the early 17th century with later additions. The house is full of charm with a seamless connection to the beautiful gardens and grounds which surround the house and is coming to the market for the first time in nearly 30 years.

The front door opens into a welcoming entrance hall with main reception rooms leading off this. The house is full or period charm, consistent with a house of this era including wall and ceiling beams and cottage windows. The house has a lovely sitting room with doors leading off it into the rear garden and a large inglenook fireplace with working open fire. From this room is a well-appointed kitchen and utility room. On the other end of the sitting room is a reading room, offering privacy and quiet. To the end of the hallway is a very pretty wood and brick conservatory which has eye-level views of this woodland corner of the grounds; there is a sense of being immersed in the garden from every room in this charming house.

On the first floor are two double bedrooms – the principal bedroom has an ensuite bathroom – plus a single bedroom with built-in storage. Further along the landing is a large family bathroom with shower. On the second floor is a delightful loft bedroom with eaves space.

The property is approached from a lane filled with wildflowers in season via a circular driveway leading to a double garage and parking. The gardens and grounds offer privacy and seclusion with a shrub lined path leading to the front porticoed door.

The gardens are a special part of this property with mature specimen trees and herbaceous borders, all full of romance of a bygone era.

There is an outdoor byre with ample natural light and space, currently used as an artist’s studio.

Beyond the garden lies the farmland spanning about 25.7 acres with 3 stables, 2 covered barns, 8 fields, a stream and wetland areas. The current owners have done much to increase the wildlife of the fields and in season these bloom with native flowers such as birds foot trefoil, agrimony, sneezewort, dyers greenweed, ragged robin and the occasional spotted orchid. Bluebells, stitchwort, and celandine glow from the bottom of the hedgerows. Rare water voles live in one of the ponds and barn owls are seen hunting over the fields. Nature has been encouraged here with careful management and low-impact grazing – the farm benefitted from the Countryside Stewardship scheme for several years. Parsonage Farm would suit someone who wants to nurture nature and dreams of a small-scale rewilding project.

Chiddingly is a picturesque and popular village. It is well known as the former home of artists Roland Penrose and Lee Miller, who lived at Farleys House. Pablo Picasso was among many celebrated artists who were regular visitors to Chiddingly. Its artistic heritage continues today as it is possibly the only village in the UK that has held its own annual arts festival for more than 40 years. There is a super village pub and shop, a cricket ground and village church.

Lewes is approximately ten miles away and is known for its history and wealth of independent shops, restaurants and cafes. Tunbridge Wells and Heathfield are also just a few miles distance. Brighton is 20 miles and offers a comprehensive range of shopping, recreational and commercial facilities. Train services to London Bridge/Victoria run from Polegate and Lewes, Uckfield and Buxted.

There are excellent schools both state and private within driving distance. A primary school is just a mile away in the neighbouring village of Muddles Green and Bedes Senior School in Upper Dicker.

Lewes District Council
Council Tax Band G
Broadband provided by Zen