Lewes Road, Westmeston, East Sussex, BN6

Substantial country house with beautiful grounds, situated in the glorious countryside of the South Downs National Park

Description

Old Middleton is a superb country house, dating in part from the C17th and including a beautiful Queen Anne frontage; the property has been extended over the years to create a grand yet comfortable family home, with attractive red brick elevations under a tiled roof. It offers all the beauty and charm expected of a period home, coupled with the benefit of being unlisted.

Old Middleton was significantly extended by the addition of a substantial vaulted kitchen/breakfast room, gym/games room and utility to the rear when our clients acquired the property in 2002, and today it offers approximately 7,618 sq ft of generously proportioned accommodation arranged over three floors plus cellars.

There are two formal reception rooms: the 32 foot drawing room has an open fireplace, French doors to the south facing side garden, and a connecting door to the dining room; the dining room has an impressive inglenook fireplace, and a door to the pretty front garden, with both rooms creating an excellent flow for entertaining. There are two less formal reception rooms: a sitting room with an open fireplace, and a cosy family room nestled by the kitchen. The study has a pleasant outlook to the rear.

The vaulted kitchen/breakfast room is ideal for day to day life; it has space for sofas, a study area and a wonderful bespoke kitchen, with granite worktops complemented by an excellent range of pale blue painted wood cabinets to the side, and a central island with pink painted cabinets. Appliances include a four oven oil-fired Aga, integrated dishwasher and there is space for a large fridge/freezer. Three deep sash windows frame the view across the west facing terrace, with a door giving access at the rear. Beyond the kitchen is a useful pantry and a separate utility room; there is a gym/games room with mezzanine level over, with French doors.

On the first floor, the principal suite occupies the entire southern elevation; the dual aspect bedroom has a modern en suite with twin basins, free standing bath and a walk-in shower. There are four further bedrooms and three bath/shower rooms on this floor; the rear landing leads to the stairs to the second floor, where there are three further bedrooms, a study/bedroom nine, and a WC with separate bathroom.

Outbuildings and garaging
The property is approached by electronically operated gates which open to the long gravelled driveway, which winds past the gardens to the front door. A spur leads to the outbuildings which are arranged around a courtyard, offering parking and storage away from the house, they comprise a flint walled home office, a recent addition with underfloor heating and fibre broadband connected, adjoined by a double garage. There is a brick and timber open bay log store with workshop, garden store and gardener’s WC; a further brick outbuilding was formerly a stable.

To the north east of this group of buildings is an unconverted two storey barn, offering excellent potential for conversion to secondary accommodation (subject to obtaining the necessary consents and permissions). Close by is a small brick outbuilding, formerly used as a sauna.

Gardens and grounds
To the east, the outdoor pool and its pool house are fully enclosed, with plenty of space for sun loungers; to the west is an elevated all weather tennis court. The formal gardens surround the house, and are beautifully planted, opening out to a croquet lawn to the front.

The paddocks lie to the east and north of the house, accessed via a five bar gate by the outbuildings; the property offers excellent equestrian potential with a bridleway giving access on to the South Downs Way and northwards to Streat, and with footpaths directly connecting to the beautiful countryside Old Middleton is set in.

In all, about 19.97 acres.

Location

Situated in Westmeston, in the picturesque countryside of the South Downs National Park, two miles from the centre of Ditchling. Ditchling is well-known for its artistic community and many historic listed houses, and offers independent shops, two public houses and a primary school; Plumpton Green has a well-stocked village shop which caters for day to day needs, a primary school, several pubs and a railway station.
The nearby towns of Lewes and Haywards Heath (six miles and eight miles respectively) offer a wider range of high street shops, supermarkets and leisure facilities; the seaside City of Brighton and Hove lies beyond the Downs to the south and is regarded as one of the most vibrant cities in Europe, with a fantastic mix of famed nightlife, award winning restaurants, theatre culture, festivals and events.
The area is well served for sporting and recreational facilities with tennis at Plumpton and Hassocks; golf at Mid Sussex, Pyecombe and Lewes; racing at Plumpton, Lingfield and Goodwood; and there is sailing along the South Coast with marina facilities in Brighton and Newhaven. Lewes and Brighton have a range of theatres and cinemas, and Glyndebourne has an internationally renowned Opera House.
Rail services: Hassocks station three miles, Haywards Heath eight miles.
Schools: There are many highly regarded state and private schools in the local area, including Ditchling (St Margaret’s) and Plumpton primary schools, Downlands Community College in Hassocks, Chailey Secondary School, Cumnor House, Ardingly, Hurstpierpoint, Lancing and Brighton Colleges, Burgess Hill Girls, Lewes Old Grammar School, Roedean and Plumpton Agricultural College.
All times and distances are approximate.

Square Footage: 7,618 sq ft


Acreage: 19.97 Acres

Directions

Please note, the postcode does not lead to the property.

From the B2112 in the centre of Ditchling, take the B2116 east for approximately 1.5 miles, passing Westmeston church on the left at the sharp bend. Old Middleton is the second driveway on the left.

Additional Info

Agent’s Notes: 1. There are footpaths and a bridleway outside the area of the gardens, but within the boundary of the land, please refer to the site plan. 2. Whilst ceiling heights are generally good, there are some low beams on the first floor and in the oldest portion of the house.

Services: Oil-fired central heating. Mains electricity and water. Private drainage (septic tank).

Outgoings: Lewes District Council, . Council tax band H

Photographs taken: April 2024

Tenure: Freehold

EPC rating F