Buckham Hill, Isfield, East Sussex, TN22

Impressive Grade II listed seven bedroom house with two bedroom cottage, pair of shepherds huts, landscaped gardens, swimming pool, all weather tennis court, pond, and paddocks (c 12 acres)

Description

The Mill House
An impressive Grade II listed country house, The Mill House is believed to date from the seventeenth century; it was significantly extended in the early twentieth century and offers stylishly presented, spacious yet comfortable accommodation which is well-suited to family life.

The property has painted brick elevations under a tiled roof, with sash and casement windows, and a wealth of interesting architectural details which lend the property character and charm, including a tower with decorative stucco, a sundial and a lovely radius window; its welcoming interiors offer a variety of features including exposed beams and plasterwork in the older portion of the house, large fireplaces set with wood burning stoves in all principal reception rooms, and good ceiling heights, which enhance the sense of space.

The principal reception rooms are arranged in the east facing elevation, in the later part of the house, and are light and spacious, with beautiful herringbone parquet flooring and large bay windows offering delightful views across the landscaped gardens. The drawing room has French doors opening to a classically-inspired loggia, creating an inviting space for relaxing and eating al fresco; the comfortable sitting room offers less formal space to relax. The triple-aspect garden room has a soaring vaulted ceiling and French doors opening to the terrace and garden, and is ideal for entertaining.

In the older part of the house, the dining room has a wood-burning stove, and is open to the kitchen and breakfast area, creating an easy flow between the spaces. The kitchen features granite countertops, a range of painted wooden cupboards, and an oil-fired AGA, and is served by a utility/boot room, cold room, and boiler room. A cloakroom lying off the entrance hall completes the ground floor.

On the first floor, the principal suite has a bedroom, bathroom and a dressing room, and offers far-reaching views across the garden to the paddocks beyond. Additionally, there are five further bedrooms (three with en suite facilities), a family bathroom, and a versatile guest sitting room or seventh bedroom. The fully boarded loft space offers additional storage.

The Mill House Cottage
The Mill House Cottage is situated to the east of the drive and is currently utilised as an Air BNB creating a regular income stream. It offers excellent potential for use as further accommodation for family or staff as required. The Cottage has been completely refurbished and briefly comprises: open plan kitchen/living room with a wood burning stove, two bedrooms, and a shower room. It has the benefit of its own enclosed garden, which is set away from the main house. The cottage furniture may be available by negotiation.

Shepherd Huts
In the furthest paddock from the house are a pair of shepherd huts, each fitted with beds, kitchenettes and wood burning stoves; they have solar power and water connected, and composting toilets. They are suitable for use as holiday lets between April and September, and there is planning permission to add a third if required.

The Sussex Barn
Situated to the north of the main house is the Sussex Barn, which is separately Grade II listed as “Mill House Stables”. It is a handsome classic weatherboarded barn, which was once used as a squash court and stables. It now provides extensive storage, with attached garaging, machinery store and further store rooms; it has potential for further conversion (subject to planning permission and consents).

Gardens & Grounds
The Mill House is well-screened at the front by fencing and hedging, and is approached from Buckham Hill via a pair of electronically operated wooden gates opening to a gravelled driveway which leads past the house to a parking area ahead of the Sussex Barn and Mill House Cottage. A secondary entrance serves Mill House Cottage, the shepherd’s huts and the paddocks; both the Cottage and the huts have allocated parking.

The gardens lie to the south and east of the house and are beautifully laid out in clearly defined sections. The formal gardens of the main house are enclosed to the north by a gently curving brick wall. The gardens are mainly laid to lawn with established flowers and shrubs. Adjacent to the house is a terrace set with old mill stones, with a lovely wisteria-covered pergola creating a perfect place for entertaining. Below the terrace is a box hedged rose garden; the lawns stretch away to the well-stocked pond and the water meadow beyond.
To the south of the house, the heated swimming pool is sheltered by a yew hedge.
The greenhouse and potting shed lie beyond the Cottage, next to a kitchen garden, with the all-weather tennis court and meadow beyond. The old mill stream runs along the southern boundary, and feeds from the River Uck.
The paddocks are situated to the north of the gardens and are enclosed by stock and post and rail fencing. In all, about 12 acres.

Location

Situated in a rural position in the village of Isfield, between the towns of Uckfield and Lewes. The village has a public house, a church, and a farm shop, and is home to the Lavender Line heritage steam railway. Uckfield and Lewes both have a comprehensive range of shops, supermarkets, leisure centres and independent cinemas; Lewes has a rich history and is the county town of East Sussex.

There are extensive sporting and recreational activities in the area, with golf at Piltdown, East Sussex National and many courses across the county, racing at Plumpton and Brighton, showjumping at Hickstead, sailing at Weir Wood and Ardingly reservoirs and along the South Coast, and walking and riding locally including the South Downs National Park and on the Ashdown Forest. The renowned Glyndebourne Opera House is just east of Lewes and the vibrant city of Brighton and Hove has a thriving theatre culture, festivals and events.

Sussex is ideal for food and drink enthusiasts: there are many renowned gastro pubs and Michelin accredited restaurants locally, and the region is at the heart of England’s emerging wine scene. Spa and country house hotels include Gravetye Manor, Alexander House, Ashdown Park Hotel and Ockenden Manor.

Transport links: there are frequent rail services to London from Haywards Heath, London Bridge/Victoria from 42 minutes. The A23/ M23 lies to the west, giving access to Gatwick airport (16 miles), the south coast and the M25.

Schools: There are many highly regarded schools in the area, both state and private, including Cumnor House, Great Walstead, Uckfield Community College, Chailey Secondary, Burgess Hill Girls, Lewes Old Grammar School, Ardingly College and Hurstpierpoint College.

All times and distances are approximate.

Square Footage: 4,951 sq ft


Acreage: 12.13 Acres

Directions



Additional Info

Services: The Mill House and Cottage each have their own oil-fired central heating, and mains electricity. They share mains water and private drainage (sewage treatment plant). The shepherd’s huts have solar powered electricity, shared mains water, and private drainage (composting WCs and grey water tanks).

Outgoings: Wealden District Council, . Council tax bands H (house) and B (cottage).

Photographs taken: April 2025

Tenure: Freehold

EPC rating: D and D

Site Plan: Produced from Promap © Crown copyright and database rights 2025. OS AC . Not to scale. For identification only.

Cladding: This property may have cladding. The property is under six floors so any cladding may not have been tested. Purchasers should make enquiries about the external wall system of the property, if it has cladding and if it is safe or if there are interim measures in place.

Viewing: Strictly by appointment with Savills on .
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.