Sheffield Park House, Sheffield Park, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22

Impressive and substantial ground floor apartment in a Grade I listed country house.


Description

History
Apartments 10 and 11 Sheffield Park House form a substantial portion of one of Sussex’s foremost and historic Country Houses. The rich and varied history of the Sheffield Park Estate can be traced prior to 1066, when it was owned by Edwin of Wessex, father to King Harold. Following Harold’s defeat by William the Conqueror, the Estate was given to Robert, Count of Mortain, Earl of Cornwall and William’s brother-in-law, and is recorded in the Domesday Book as 'Sifelle'.

In the late 1700s, when the estate was acquired by the 1st Earl of Sheffield, James Wyatt remodelled the house in the fashionable Gothic style. In later years, Capability Brown was commissioned to landscape the gardens. The Estate was split up in 1953 and the House was converted into apartments in the 1980s. Today Sheffield Park House, which is Grade I listed, remains in private ownership, with just twelve apartments in the main house.

About the property
Apartments 10 and 11 comprise the ground floor of the western side of the house. Originally designed to be two separate apartments when the property was split in the 1980s, our client acquired both and joined them to form one large, ground floor apartment extending to an impressive 2,750 square feet and featuring a number of original features including high ceilings, sash windows (some with shutters), beautiful parquet flooring through the much of the property, and some striking intricately carved and hand painted internal doors.

The property benefits from its own private front door, which opens to the entrance hall. A pair of glazed double doors with fanlight over lead to an elegant, dual-aspect summer sitting room which has a tiled open fireplace and a door opening to the south-facing private terrace. There are two bedrooms lying off the hall, both with fitted wardrobes and wash basins, and the family bathroom.

A carved door opens to the main reception room, which a previous owner used as an armoury, displaying his extensive collection of suits of armour and antique weaponry. This handsome vaulted room showcases the property’s Gothic architecture, with exposed stone masonry featuring a pointed arch motif, a carved timber tie beam and an imposing stone fireplace with an iron canopy. The dining area is decorated with fabric wall coverings and adjoins the kitchen, which has a skylight, a clay tiled floor and is fitted with a range of painted wooden cabinetry and integrated appliances.

There are two bedrooms with en suite bathrooms lying off the reception room, including the principal bedroom which features huge hand-painted double doors.

A large utility room and a cloakroom complete the accommodation in the apartment; the secure medieval wine cellar is separately accessed via steps at the front of the house.

Outside
Sheffield Park House is part of a secure gated community in an exceptional setting. In addition to the private south facing terrace lying off the sitting room, there are communal grounds extending to about 39 acres, including tennis courts, shared gardens and parkland, where deer can be seen grazing.

The House is adjacent to the beautiful Sheffield Park & Garden, created by Capability Brown and now a National Trust (NT) property; Sheffield Park House’s private gardens have some outstanding views to the lakes and the grounds beyond, and has the benefit of a gate providing access to the NT Gardens reserved for the use of House residents. The property benefits from two single garages (en bloc) and two allocated parking spaces.

Tenure - Share of Freehold
The twelve properties in the House are held on 999 year leases from 1 January 1989. To facilitate the upkeep and management of the buildings and communal areas, the Freehold interest is vested in a holding company ('Sheffield Park Management Limited') of which the apartment owners are shareholders.

Service Charge per annum: £13,859 (2024)
Service charge note: The service charge is variable depending on work required. It is paid in two instalments. There is also a charge of c.£2,000 p/a towards the maintenance of the estate.

Location

Sheffield Park House is situated in the heart of Sussex, close to Ashdown Forest and adjacent to Sheffield Park & Garden, created by Capability Brown and now a National Trust property.

The picturesque village of Fletching lies two miles to the east, home to the award- winning Griffin pub and providing for day to day needs.

Outdoor pursuits include golf and walking; there is a superb cultural scene, with world-class opera at Glyndebourne, and the annual Brighton Festival presenting a huge programme of theatre, dance, classical music and literary events.

Comprehensive shopping and leisure facilities are available at Haywards Heath (6.6 miles), Lewes (10 miles) and Tunbridge Wells (18 miles).

Mainline rail services: Haywards Heath, London Bridge/Victoria from 42 minutes. Gatwick airport 18 miles.

Schools: There are number of highly regarded state and independent schools in the area, including Fletching and Danehill primary schools, Cumnor House in Danehill, Great Walstead near Lindfield, Ardingly College and Michael Hall (Rudolph Steiner) in Forest Row.
All times and distances are approximate.

Square Footage: 2,750 sq ft



Directions

From the A272 south, at North Chailey take the A275 north for about 2.5 miles; pass the turning leading to Sheffield Park & Gardens and take the second right through the pillars, signposted Sheffield Park House. Continue under the archway between the gate lodges and follow the driveway up to the main house. The property’s private front door is around to the right, on the western side of the house.

Additional Info

Services: Electric central heating system. Mains water and electricity. Private drainage.

Outgoings: Wealden District Council, . Council tax band G.