Edenbridge Road, Hartfield

Dating back almost 500 years, with its illustrious Tudor heritage, this castle tower, commands attention.

Enchanting Elizabethan history

Nestled within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, arrive beyond a gated entrance and along a sweeping driveway where there is plenty of parking available.

A home with a compelling history, originally built in the 1550s, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, by Francis Spelman, a lawyer from London whose initials remain etched into the rear wall.

Notably one of the earliest brick buildings to be constructed in Sussex, this stunning home was the entry to a much older, walled manor house complex. No longer standing, only this characterful home remains, along with parts of the original outer walls.

The neighbouring wing to the original manor house, now known as Bolebroke Castle, was a later addition to the 13th century house. Likely used as a hunting lodge and, according to architectural historian David Martin, whose reports can be found online, the tower, next to the original manor house, is believed to have been built as a viewing point for the hunt, passing in the valley to the south.

Sketches and paintings of this wonderful home in the intervening years suggest that it was leased out, as a part of the Bolebroke estate farm, in the nineteenth century, tied to a range of noble families, including the Sackvilles of Knole and the De La Warre family as part of the Buckhurst estate. Later purchased by Percy Mann of the brewing family, in the early part of the twentieth century, the estate underwent significant renovations, including this now family home while in later years refurbishments and extensions continued to be added up until the last major extension in the late 1990s.

Renovation and restoration

Etched into the local landscape, under the custodianship of its current owners, this home has embarked upon a journey of renovation and reparation, with full listed planning consent from Wealden County Council. Such enhancements include the introduction of new handmade bricks to the outside, lime repointing in parts, repairing and repointing the parapet wall at the top of the tower, replacement of the roofing, shower rooms, oak window lintels and sills and the removal and replacement of modern plastic plaster with lime plaster to allow the building to breathe alongside a flourish of contemporary, breathable paint.

Warmth and welcome

From the front, a characterful oak door provides access into the entrance hall. Inside, warmth from the underfloor heating permeates the limestone flooring, instilling modern comfort into this ancient fortress, providing a warm welcome and continuing throughout the home. Archways entreat the eye in different directions, replicating the shape of the original entrance.

A home that sits easily within this extraordinary Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and ancient woodland, the transition from this landscape to the interiors takes heed of the lives of its previous owners, and the abundance of the surrounding natural world and teeming wildlife, while still providing the comfort and convenience of modern living. Natural, soothing tones are a motif throughout, with breathable paint dressing the walls of the tower, serving the design of the early brickwork

OWNER QUOTE: "We have used various types of breathable paints, most recently Earthborn."

Follow the spotlit entrance hallway along to the right, stepping beneath the arched doorway to emerge into the Sussex barn-style drawing room. The most recent addition to the home, this grand and airy room, with its vaulted, beam-bedecked ceiling offers stunning south and east facing views over the mature and manicured garden.

A peaceful, tranquil room, oak flooring flows underfoot, as light streams down from skylights above. Occupying the internal wall, beside the doorway, a bespoke bookcase adds to the grandeur of the room, whilst the large oak fireplace with brick herringbone hearth infuses the room with cheerful warmth.

Retaining its flow, the room opens up into a sunroom style snug to the rear, where French doors invite a balmy breeze through on sunny days, opening to a vine festooned, canopied terrace.

OWNER QUOTE: "The patio at the end of the living room is a favourite in summer, as it provides shelter from the hot sun and is cool because of the vine above."

Work from home

Returning to the entrance hall, discover the perfect place to work from home, beneath the natural light of a wide window overlooking the garden. Storage is available beneath the staircase, oak built, leading to the mezzanine level main office with views looking down over the stunning sitting room below.

Returning to the main entrance hallway, sneak a peek at the cloakroom, with WC and wash basin, before making your way along, past French doors opening to the garden, to the playroom - a versatile room which could also serve as an accessible ground floor bedroom.

Rest and refresh

Along the hallway, reach the first of two ground-floor double bedrooms. Carpeted and with views out over the front through an oak window wreathed in fragrant wisteria, storage shelving is available in this bedroom, which is set across from a second, dual aspect, double bedroom.

Both bedrooms are served by a bathroom, containing bath with shower over, and illuminated by a raised skylight, drawing daylight down from above.

Off this inner hallway there is a plant room containing controls for underfloor heating and plumbing, and beyond, a large family bathroom, with twin wash basins nestled within a marbled worktop, vanity unit storage and centrally filling bath with mirrors to the sides, nestled beneath an archway and drenched in light from a window above. A separate shower offers refreshment.

Feast your eyes

Returning to the main hallway, beneath an archway, discover the delights of the bespoke fitted kitchen, where ample storage awaits within the maple cabinetry and cool granite worktops provide plenty of preparation space. Current appliances in situ include an American-style Hoover fridge and freezer, alongside a Smeg hob, Neff cooker, extractor and dishwasher. Enjoy a morning cup of tea in the window seat, as light streams in through the raised skylight. Access out to the garden is available through the stable door.

In the tower...

A cool refuge, evoking the true ambience of the home's Tudor heritage, step through an archway and into the tower dining room. Drenched in sunlight throughout the day, lead-lined windows and doors open out to the garden, whilst original beams bedeck the ceiling above, with quaint storage alcoves demonstrating the depth of the stone walls. There is also a separate utility room with space for washing machine and dryer.

From the tower, spy the original, 400-year-old oak studded door leading out, fitted with an inner siege door; an ancient design to allow entry to all but those wearing a suit of armour. More than likely, given the home's date and owner at the time, to be an ornamental feature rather than a defensive feature, the door is accompanied by small slit windows, high in the wall on each side designed to replicate either arrow or gun slits, or the openings where the chains to lift a drawbridge might once have been.

Fairytale ascent

Ascend the oak spiral staircase. Mainly original, it provides access to the upper floors of the tower, passing characterful lead-lined windows and ancient beams, etched in history.

On the first floor of the tower, discover the principal bedroom, where leaded windows provide prominent views out over the manicured gardens and countryside views. Admire the alcoves and experience alfresco views from the roof terrace. Ample storage is available in the built-in wardrobes and drawers, for modern comfort, with plenty of space for a king-size bed. Refresh and revive in the contemporary ensuite, provided by West One Bathrooms and furnished with shower glass from The Shower Lab.

Returning to the spiral stairs, continue up to the second floor, where another spacious double bedroom features an original fireplace with large, ornate grate dating to 1629. Exposed beams reach back through time, tracing the history of the home in the high trusses in the vaulted ceiling. Phenomenal views await through the leaded windows, whilst an ensuite WC and wash basin are also available.


Captivating gardens

Adding to the romance of life at this delightful home, the enchanting gardens stretch out to between a quarter and half an acre to the rear. Formerly served by a centuries old water supply (reputedly from an artesian well from a wooded dell belonging to Bolebroke Wood Farm), now serving a modern lifestyle, this family home is the recipient of its own private borehole water supply, pumped into a large settlement tank between this home and an English Heritage Approved garden shed, and run through a small water treatment works in the shed and on into the home.

Extensively redesigned and planted by the current owners, the evocative gardens include a well-maintained lawn, a large Mexican bean tree which flowers profusely in July, ornamental yew hedges, productive walnut tree and fig trees, a mature Katsura tree, silver birch trees, hornbeam hedging and box hedging alongside numerous roses and shrubs including Callicarpa, Amelanchier, ornamental cherries and cordoned apple trees along the outside wall.

South-east facing, admire the sunrise and sunset from beneath the oak pergola. On summer days, seek shelter beneath the oak pergola on the patio, trailed in productive vines, which produce grapes that the current owners have made into wine through a local grape pressing co-operative.

A separate garage is located nearby, currently used for storage.

At the end of a summer's day, take a seat at the bottom of the garden, beneath the canopy of trees in front of the yew hedges to watch the tower glow pink in the setting sun; a sight that is sure to remain imprinted within your memory for eternity.

Out and about

A serene sanctuary, this family home retains easy connections with modern life. Close by, there are several pubs in which you can slake your thirst, including The Dorset Arms in Withyham, The Hatch in Colemans Hatch and The Bear in Hartfield.

Precede your excursion to the local hostelries with a walk about Ashdown Forest, home of Pooh Bear and his companions. Only a short distance, lose yourself beneath the boughs of the ancient trees, and spend hours dog-walking, horse-riding, kite-flying and picnicking in this utterly magical environment.

Amenities are plentiful nearby, with Perryhill Farmshop and Tea Room, the ever popular Nick the Butcher, Pooh Corner with its gift shop and tearoom in the High Street, a local Post Office to be found in Forest Row or Crowborough and medical care to be sought out at the Groombridge and Hartfield Surgery Group. You can also pick up all your essentials at the Hartfield Village stores.

Nestled in a supportive, cooperative community, this is a family-friendly home, with access to nearby educational institutes including Hartfield Primary St. Mary the Virgin (CoE), Groombridge St. Thomas (CoE), St Michaels Primary, Withyham (CoE) and a wide range of independent schools including Cumnor House School and Holmewood House in Tunbridge Wells alongside Sevenoaks School.

A house beyond compare, where landscape and history converge, The Gatehouse is more than a home, it's a fairytale castle tower for the modern era.

OWNER QUOTE: "The Gatehouse is a home set in a landscape that seeps into your soul."

Book your viewing today or for a brochure of this home call the Bees Homes country office.

Viewing by appointment with Bees Homes.

If there is any point which is of particular importance to you, we invite you to discuss this with us, especially before you travel to view the property.

Please Note:

Money Laundering Regulations 2007: Intending purchasers will be asked to produce identification documentation upon acceptance of any offer. We would ask for your cooperation in producing such in order that there will not be a delay in agreeing the sale.

Bees Homes use all reasonable endeavours to supply accurate property information in line with the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. These property details do not constitute any part of the offer or contract and all measurements are approximate. It should not be assumed that this property has all the necessary Planning, Building Regulation or other consents. Any services, appliances and heating system(s) listed have not been checked or tested.

Floor plan measurements: These approximate room sizes are only intended as general guidance. You must verify the dimensions carefully before ordering carpets or any built in furniture.

For a brochure of this unique home please call the Bees Homes country office.

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Council Tax Band: G
Tenure: Freehold