Terrible Down Barn, Lewes, East Sussex

This magnificently converted barn sits in a peaceful pocket of countryside near Lewes, East Sussex. Spanning over 2,300 sq ft, the house has four bedrooms and a series of generous living spaces designed to celebrate the glorious gardens and rambling fields beyond. It has a swimming pool with a pool house, as well as a triple bay garage. Despite its secluded feel, the house is within easy reach of both Brighton, Tunbridge Wells and London, via Lewes station.

The Tour

Off a county road, Terrible Down Barn is approached by a long, shared driveway flanked by mature trees on either side.

The building itself is a wonderful amalgamation of the former barn and neighbouring stable block. Topped with a clay-tiled roof, the barn’s façade is formed of black weatherboarding and tall swathes of glazing, while the lower stable building is formed of attractive red and pale bricks. Almost totally surrounded by a considered planting scheme, a driveway stretches to the front of the house, where an English Heritage triple bay garage, one enclosed provides parking for three cars.

The house has been renovated to a very high standard throughout. The original integrity of the building has been retained wherever possible; master craftsmen were commissioned to recreate internal doors and ironmongery, and sensitive Erco lighting has been added throughout. The result is a seamless blend of old and new designed around modern living standards and comfort, with additions that include underfloor heating.

Accessed via a porch, the house’s well-proportioned entrance hallway runs the full length of the plan and has doors leading to all ground-floor rooms.

Immediately to the left is the beautifully appointed kitchen. It sets the tone for the symbiotic relationship between the indoors and out, with dramatic glazing that frames the garden and beyond. Its appliances are mostly from Miele and Gaggenau and are integrated within glossy white cabinetry topped with DuPont Corian worktops. A central island forms an elegant dining area in the light-filled space next to floor-to-ceiling glazing and a sliding door to the garden. Domus porcelain tiles span the floor.

Opposite the kitchen, beyond the formal dining area, lies a snug. A bespoke bookcase lines one wall and a window overlooks the garden, creating an inviting spot to curl up with a book. The cosy ambience is enhanced by a large twin-aspect log burner for the colder months, shared with the primary reception room next door.

The latter, set beneath a spectacular triple-height atrium with exposed-timber beams, forms the creative heart of the house. Light is ushered in from all aspects; at its apex is a large triangular panel of glazing, designed to disappear behind the original roof timbers. Low-level windows run along one aspect of the room, while tall glazing set within the exposed frame throws light across the stairway and into the dining area.

A staircase from the primary reception room leads to the principal bedroom. Set within the crossed-hatched timbers of the roof, the generous space has recessed built-in wardrobes on either side. The sleeping area is on a raised platform opposite a large window with uninterrupted views of the rolling East Sussex countryside. Air conditioning keeps things cool during the summer months. A corridor here leads to large bathroom, with a freestanding bath, large walk-in shower and a Duravit basin with an LED back-lit mirror.

Back on the ground-floor, in the light-filled hallway, is a separate utility room with WC, basin and a door leading to the garden. There is also a spacious shower room with basin and WC shared by the ground floor bedrooms.

There are three good sized bedrooms in the former stable block, which is reached by a short set of steps in the hallway. The first two bedrooms are of a similar size and each has a recessed wardrobe. The third bedroom, currently used as an office is somewhat larger and has a door leading directly on to the decked area above the swimming pool. All have gloriously green views out over the garden.

Outdoor Space

The enchanting gardens have been thoughtfully divided up to serve a range of functions. Outside the kitchen is an expansive deck for outside dining which continues to the pool area as a place for sunbathing.

The tiled pool has an electric retractable safety cover to maintain the water temperature. The pool house has room for changing with a shower, WC and basin, and there is a plant room next door.

Much of the garden is laid to lawn. In one corner next to a bird hide is a stumpery. The garden has been meticulously cultivated with large beds growing a variety of specimens including hydrangea, agapanthus, phormium, fox gloves and hollyhocks. There is a rose garden and trees include acer, mock cherry and magnolia. In spring planted bulbs flower with daffodils and tulips creating a visual treat. A trimmed bamboo hedge pathway leads out to the cedar-clad summerhouse creating an arresting sightline from inside the house’s main reception area. There is a large greenhouse, vegetable garden and an area set aside as an orchard growing some fifty old English varieties of mainly apple and a few pear trees as well as numerous hazel trees and some ash and birch.

The Area

Terrible Down Barn lies between the two small villages, Halland and Shortgate, and is about a 15-minute drive from Lewes via Ringmer. Nearby is an abundance of country pubs, including The Green Man and The Ram Inn at nearby Firle.

There is much to do in Lewes, from independent shops to antiquarian bookshops and several antique markets. There are numerous cafés, such as Patisserie Lewes and Flint Owl Bakery, and galleries, including The Star Brewery Gallery and the Needlemakers. There are also many independent businesses that stock work by local craftspeople. A new cinema and art complex, The Depot, shows various mainstream and arthouse movies. Lewes Castle is a wonderful local landmark with stunning panoramic views across Sussex from the top of the fortification.

The energetic seaside City of Brighton can be reached by car in around 30 minutes. Revered for is seafront and Palace Pier as well as the charming North Laine and The Lanes. Here are some wonderful independent shopping areas famous for their vast array of antique and retro shops and wonderful boutiques including Utility, Snooper's Paradise and Our Daily Edit. As well as award-winning independent and traditional restaurants there is an outpost of the Soho House Group, Brighton Beach House. Brighton Festival is an annual multi arts festival and theatres in the city include The Theatre Royal, Brighton Dome and Komedia.

The immediate area is home to a wealth of cultural amenities, including Charleston, which has an annual literature festival and arts events throughout the year. Also nearby are Farley Farm House, Glyndebourne Opera and the Rathfinny Wine Estate.

The South Downs National Park is nearby, as is the East Sussex coast, with seaside towns such as Eastbourne, St Leonards and Hastings in easy reach.

There are primary schools in many of the surrounding villages including Chiddingly and East Hoathly and Laughton. The area is well-renowned for excellent independent schooling options; Brighton College, with its prep and award-winning senior school (awarded School of the Decade), St Bedes and Lewes Old Grammar School plus state funded Lewes Priory.

Lewes station has direct trains to Clapham Junction and London Victoria in just over an hour and Gatwick airport in 34 minutes.

Council Tax Band: G

For more inspiration, why not look to Inigo's guide to Lewes?