Hooklands Lane, Shipley, Horsham, West Sussex

Oakwood Farm is a characterful late 17th to early 18th-century detached family home offering around 6,000 sq. ft. of flexible accommodation, including a ground floor one-bedroomed self-contained annexe. It was originally part of the Bentons Estate and has mixed render, brick, weatherboard and tile-hung elevations and sits within 9 acres complete with established formal gardens, located within a highly desirable rural setting within easy reach of a wealth of amenities.
The airy entrance hall opens into to a reception hall with rich oak flooring, corresponding oak-framed windows, and a cloakroom. From here, the formal dining room enjoys French doors to the south-facing part walled garden. Further is an attractive dual-aspect sitting room, a lofty study with sash windows, both with feature fireplaces, fitted furniture and log-burning stoves. The high-ceilinged kitchen/breakfast room with its exposed timbers features a range of handmade wooden cabinetry, an AGA range and access to the pretty courtyard. From here is steps to the wine cellar, whilst a rear lobby leads to a well-appointed utility with butler sink and w/c. From the reception the space flows into a library with a wealth of bespoke fitted cabinetry and shelving, onto the impressive 44 ft. vaulted drawing room with brick fireplace and views and French doors to the gardens. The library opens to the adaptable and well-presented one-bedroomed annexe, with a living and dining space, bathroom, woodburning stoves and two sets of French doors to the garden.
The fine main stairway opens to the bright first-floor landing with its far-reaching rural vistas. Branching off is a storeroom, a nursery/dressing room with extensive built-in storage, a family bathroom, three pleasing bedrooms, two of which enjoy their own en suite bathrooms. Three further well-proportioned bedrooms reside on the second floor, with a pair of Jack and Jill bathrooms and a peaceful reading area.

The property is approached via a sweeping gravelled driveway flanked by a wildflower meadow and specimen trees, opening to a large forecourt with a four-car garage. The considered landscaped and divided formal grounds surrounding the home feature manicured lawns, fine established trees, topiary, hedging, a decorative pond and fragrant and colourful roses, wisteria and lavender. There is a small semi courtyard, terrace, an orchard, woodland and hard tennis courts and scenic views to adjoining pastureland.

The property resides in a rural yet convenient location, near the renowned Knepp Castle estate, with the nearby villages of Shipley and Ashington providing a range of local shopping and leisure facilities. The bustling market town of Horsham is within easy reach and offers an even more extensive range of amenities, including a mainline train station with regular links to London Victoria, the Swan Walk shopping centre, various public houses, The Capitol Theatre, a John Lewis and Waitrose supermarket. The popular cobbled Carfax contains a myriad of cafés and restaurants. The A24 Bypass and M23 provide road links to the south coast, London Gatwick Airport and further afield. Notable nearby schools include Windlesham House, Christ’s Hospital, Farlington and Pennthorpe.