Box's Lane, Danehill, Haywards Heath, East Sussex, RH17

Attractive 16th century detached house in a glorious wooded setting.

Description

Understood to date from 1580, Sedges is a very attractive period house, ideally located in a country lane that is both rural and yet not isolated, in beautifully landscaped grounds in a woodland setting.

Despite its age and charming period character, Sedges benefits from remaining unlisted, and over the course of our clients’ 22 year ownership has been the subject of comprehensive renovation and extension, restoring it into a wonderful family home that is both spacious and comfortable. Points of particular note include the creation of a superb, part vaulted kitchen, dining and family room with principal bedroom suite over, the addition of a versatile vaulted study/reception room, replacement double-glazed casement windows, and beautifully landscaped grounds, planted with masses of woodland shrubs and including a new, sweeping driveway and a four-bay, oak-framed garage.

The full extent and layout of the accommodation, which extends to 2,390 square feet, can be seen on the accompanying floor plan.

The front door opens from an open timber-framed porch to the spacious entrance hall, off which lies a cloakroom with WC. The large sitting room is dual-aspect and features handsome oak ceiling timbers and a fireplace set with a woodburner; the adjoining study is a versatile room, plenty big enough to be used as an additional reception room.

The kitchen, dining and family room is a modern extension to the house, an L-shaped room with flagstone floor, two sets of bi-fold doors opening to the terrace and ample space for both a formal dining table and comfortable seating area. The kitchen is fitted with a range of modern shaker-style cabinetry with granite effect worktops and a woodblock-topped central island; appliances include a Rangemaster oven, an integrated dishwasher and an American-style fridge/freezer. The kitchen is served by a large utility room with further storage, a washing machine and dryer.

There are four bedrooms on the first floor, lying off a part-galleried landing with roof lantern. Bedroom one is dual aspect, with a lovely outlook over the garden, and has a dressing area with fitted wardrobes together with a large en suite bathroom; the remaining bedrooms, two of which have fitted storage, are served by a family bathroom.

Outside
Sedges is nestled in a wooded valley, accessed from Box’s Lane via a gravel driveway, which sweeps down to the house and a large parking and turning area ahead of the detached oak-framed garaging.

The gardens and grounds are glorious, landscaped over time, with gently undulating lawns, a duck pond in the shade of a mature weeping willow, a pretty stream, and banks of woodland shrubs including rhododendron, camelia and azalea, displaying a magnificent array of colour through the season.

In all, about 1.1 acres.

Location

Sedges is situated in a wonderful rural position in Danehill, a popular village close to Ashdown Forest. Danehill has a church, a primary school and a renowned public house, The Coach and Horses.

The neighbouring village of Horsted Keynes (two miles) provides a village hall, a village shop, a primary school and two public houses. Comprehensive shopping is available at Haywards Heath (seven miles), East Grinstead (eight miles), Lewes (13 miles), Tunbridge Wells (15 miles) or Brighton (20 miles).

There are many leisure activities available in the area including riding on Ashdown Forest (permit required), sailing at Ardingly and golf across the county. There is a vibrant cultural and arts scene in Sussex, with world-class opera at Glyndebourne, theatre at Royal Tunbridge Wells and the annual Brighton Festival presenting a huge programme of theatre, dance, classical music and literary events. Spa and country house hotels include Ockenden Manor, Alexander House, Ashdown Park, Gravetye Manor and South Lodge.

Haywards Heath mainline station is about seven miles distant (c.18 minutes by car) and offers frequent rail services to London Bridge/Victoria from 42 minutes. Further services from East Grinstead and Balcombe. Gatwick airport 17.5 miles.

Schools: There are many highly regarded schools in the area, both state and private, including Danehill Primary School in the village, Cumnor House, Great Walstead near Lindfield and Ardingly College.

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

Square Footage: 2,390 sq ft


Acreage: 1.1 Acres

Additional Info

Services: Oil fired central heating. Mains water and electricity. Private drainage. Fibre broadband is connected.

Outgoings: Wealden District Council, tax band G.

Photographs taken: May 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.