Doucegrove Lane, Northiam, Rye, East Sussex, TN31

A SUBSTANTIAL UNLISTED PERIOD HOUSE SITUATED IN A PEACEFUL LOCATION OFFERING ALMOST 5,500 SQ FT OF SPACIOUS FLEXIBLE ACCOMMODATION IN A COMMANDING POSITION WITHIN LOVELY GARDENS WITH SWIMMING POOL, LEISURE FACILITIES AND CIRCA 41 ACRES OF MATURE WOODLAND AND PADDOCKS.

DESCRIPTION
Little Doucegrove is a characterful, distinctive and substantial house situated at the end of a private lane that serves five properties, surrounded by woodlands and paddocks. The house has two beautifully designed roundels, providing architectural features that enhance the stone exterior with a sense of elegance and historic character.

Adding a further layer of distinction, this family home proudly bears a green plaque commemorating its connection to the renowned English author Sheila Kaye-Smith. Best known for her novels set in the rural landscapes of Sussex and Kent; Kaye-Smith captured the spirit of the English countryside in her writing.

The property offers generous space along with several outbuildings suitable for a variety of uses and a total of circa 41 acres. The main house boasts 6 bedrooms – 3 of which enjoy en suite bathrooms and two share a Jack & Jill bathroom - three reception rooms and a butler’s kitchen as well as a fully fitted bespoke kitchen designed within one of the roundels.

On entering the property, the grand entrance hall has a tiled floor and double height aspect, WC on the left and double doors on the right lead you into the sitting room with open fire place and patio doors to the garden. Another door takes you to the roundel study where it is thought that the writer Sheila Kaye-Smith would work looking out through the arched windows onto the beautiful East Sussex countryside. There is also the bespoke fitted kitchen and dining area, a pantry, utility room, boot room and a fully fitted butler’s kitchen.

There are two staircases; one within the entrance hall and the other located at the back taking you to the first of the 6 bedrooms, 2 of which are built into the roundels. There is a huge loft space which is accessible via another set of stairs.

One of the paddocks houses a herd of alpacas, which generates an income for the current owner who operates alpaca walking for private groups, through their fields and woodland in an area of outstanding natural beauty.

FEATURES
- Double height tiled entrance hall
- Sitting room with open fire place and doors leading to garden
- Roundel study with working fireplace, bespoke built in cupboards and bookshelves housing Sheila Kaye-Smith novels
- Kitchen/breakfast room with bespoke hand painted units and Corian counter tops all built to fit beautifully into the Roundel with a central teardrop shaped island, double Belfast ceramic sink, range gas stove with electric oven, Quooker tap and coffee nook
- Breakfast area situated in a bright conservatory with views over the garden
- Boot room, with door to garden
- Pantry and separate utility room and another storage cupboard
- Butler’s kitchen, fully fitted with electric hob, double oven space for fridge freezer, plumbing for washing machine and door to cellar
- Master bedroom suite with dressing room fitted with wall-to-wall wardrobes and free-standing island, a dressing table / make up area, additional built-in wardrobes in the bedroom, and en suite with jacuzzi bath
- A further two double bedrooms both with built in wardrobes, and a Jack & Jill bathroom
- A bedroom in each of the roundels, one with an en suite bathroom and a further double bedroom with an en suite shower
- Family bathroom with free standing bath and double shower

OUTSIDE
The gardens and paddocks surrounding the house equate to around 6 acres, with another 35 acres beyond of beautiful woodland and fields.

There are many features in the gardens themselves including a landscaped lawn leading down to the swimming pool, a covered well, mature trees and various outbuildings.

The pool house consists of a large living area, kitchenette, bedroom and shower room. The outdoor kitchen, by the pool, is well fitted with a pizza oven, BBQ, sink and covered seating. The pool has a solar cover to maintain the temperature which is heated through an air source heat pump. There are 14 x 1kw solar panels.

A small barn at the rear of the garden has been converted into a party barn with built-in bar and games area. There are two stables and an outbuilding plus paddock immediately beyond the garden house. There are orchards to the top of the garden with mature apple and plum trees. The gardens wrap around the house on three sides with plenty of parking, a quadruple garage and kennel to the front.



Little Doucegrove is situated in a delightful rural position between the villages of Broad Oak, Northiam, and Peasmarsh. Northiam offers a number of local services including convenience store, bakery, doctor’s surgery and public houses. Peasmarsh has a rich history and is now a busy local community with a large independent supermarket, petrol station and several public houses.

There are a number of excellent schools within the area catering for children of all ages in both the state and private sector and many of which offer a bespoke bus service from Peasmarsh village.

The nearby A28 gives access via the A21 to the M25 for London, Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted Airports and also to the M20 to Dover, Folkestone and Ashford.

Ashford International Station provides services to London St Pancras (journey times from 37 minutes). Battle Station offers services to London Charing Cross in 1 hr 18 mins. There is also a direct line from Rye to the high-speed express service from Ashford to St Pancras International; journey times from Rye to London being approximately 1 hour 6 minutes.

Several golf courses are within easy reach including at Sedlescombe and the links courses at Rye and Littlestone. Further leisure facilities, amenities and shopping can be found at Tenterden and Rye. Water sports and the famous sandy beaches at Camber are about 12 miles away.

Rye 8 miles
Battle Station 10 miles
A21 6.3 miles
Hastings 9.7 miles
(All distances approximate)