School Lane, Nutley, TN22

A stunning, versatile and modernised four/five bedroom historic family home spanning over 2,600 sq ft located in the desirable village of Nutley. The house is located down a quiet tree-lined no-through road country lane, 300 yards from all of the village amenities with direct access to Ashdown Forest at the far end of the lane. This wonderful property comprises: four bedrooms, two bath/ shower rooms (1 being en-suite), sitting room with inglenook fireplace and woodburner, fully fitted kitchen / dining room, dining / family room, downstairs cloakroom, parking for six vehicles, 263 sq ft detached original coach house providing two storey Guest / Annexe accommodation with seating area, bedroom and shower room, 20ft x 18ft large double storey garage with planning permission granted for the first floor extensive loft area to be converted to become ancillary accommodation, and a private South East facing rear garden with two terraces and a decked area providing a sun trap with uninterrupted views over Ashdown Forest.



The House


The house is entered through a gate into a private inner courtyard, where steps down to the left lead to a gate onto the driveway, and a pathway to the garage. There is another gate on the left leading into a small enclosed area containing a log shed, bin storage and where the oil tank is housed. The garden can be accessed from the courtyard. Straight ahead is an open pitched and tiled entrance porch with steps up to the original wooden front door. The front door leads into a small entrance hall with a window to the rear and built in floor mat. To the right is the Kitchen/Dining room. To the left is a downstairs cloakroom which consists of a window to the rear, WC, wash hand basin, two double wall mounted cupboards and a large boot/shoe cupboard with storage surface above, tiled flooring and a pitched beamed ceiling.

The door to the Kitchen/Dining room leads to a large, light, modern and stylish room measuring 21ft x 20ft. The room has been upgraded to the highest of standards and consists of: windows to the front, rear and side, beige coloured smart floor tiles, high beamed ceiling (2.48 m from floor to ceiling), large array of off white soft close wall and base units, soft close deep pan drawers, wooden work surfaces, integrated fridge/freezer, integrated dishwasher, space for range cooker, ceramic double bowl butler sink, cupboard providing plumbing and location for a washing machine and separate tumble dryer, and a large larder cupboard. There is a central island which has storage drawers built in which has a raiseable breakfast bar. This island could be removed completely and a large dining room table and chairs could be placed in its stead if desired, as the space would comfortably allow this.

The Dining/Family room is open to the kitchen although it is sunken down a few steps and has a high pitched beamed ceiling. By its sheer nature it creates the feeling of a rectangular room which measures 13ft x 7ft with generous head height. There are wrought iron railings in the kitchen which creates a natural barrier to the sunken space and adds to the feeling of this dining/family room being separate to the kitchen. The space is light with windows to the rear and glazed patio doors which open out onto the rear garden terrace. It is also versatile in its use as it could be used as a dining room with space for an array of dining room furniture or as a family room/snug with informal seating and a coffee table for example.

From the kitchen is a door which leads into a beamed inner hallway where the stairs to the first floor can be found and a door into the Sitting Room. There is also an unused glazed external door which leads to the rear terrace and could be used as a back door to the house. The hallway has three good sized storage cupboards and a window which faces the front. The sitting room is stunning and is also a large room measuring 21ft x 18ft which has a bay window overlooking the rear garden and a single window to the front. The room has the original flagstone flooring and some delightful character beams, as well as a huge inglenook fireplace with brick hearth, large woodburning stove and even the original bread oven. As a result this room oozes with history, character, charm and coziness. There is a small alcove at the end of the room where my clients have created a useful built in unit covering all three sides of the alcove providing six cupboards and book shelves. There is an under stairs storage cupboard and the room is large enough to accommodate a variety of living room furniture. The head height in this room, like with all of the rooms in the house, is excellent. This completes the ground floor accommodation.

Stairs rise from the hallway to the first floor where four bedrooms can be found (one would likely be a study), and two bathroom/shower rooms. The master bedroom is triple aspect with windows facing to the front, rear and side and has many attractive character beams throughout. It is a generously proportioned room measuring 19ft x 15ft and has fitted his and hers wardrobes, a further built in unit with 9 drawers and a cupboard. The en-suite bathroom consists of: windows to the rear and front, pitched ceiling, WC, wash hand basin, panelled bath with mixer taps and shower attachment, wall cabinet and a radiator. From the windows to the rear of the bedroom there are wonderful views over the Ashdown Forest as well of the sun rising.

Bedroom 2 is a double at the other end of the house and has windows facing the rear and side together with fitted wardrobes. Bedroom 3 has a window to the rear, shelving, and a small double wardrobe. The room is large enough to take a double bed and again as with Bedrooms 1 and 2 offers views over Ashdown Forest.

Bedroom 4 is a single bedroom but also makes a great study with a window facing the rear and a double cupboard. The family shower room consists of small windows facing the front, white tile flooring, WC, wash hand basin inset into a white gloss vanitory unit with drawers and cupboard space, walk in tiled shower area with rain showerhead and a heated towel rail. This completes the first floor accommodation.



The Outside


To the front of the house on the opposite side of School lane is a layby which provides private parking for two vehicles. There is a block paved driveway in front of the garage which provides a further two parking spaces either side by side or nose to tail and also sites an outside water tap.

The garage is huge measuring 20ft x 18 ft and has a side door, power, light and a remote controlled electrically operated door. The inside of the garage is large enough to park two vehicles and still have room for a workbench and utility space. My clients have a secondary fridge and freezer in here, and you could also fit a dryer as well. There is a whole second floor to the garage which has windows already installed and currently provides fantastic storage. The garage was erected by my clients with planning permission for the expansive loft space to become accommodation, but this aspect has not been implemented and the loft is currently used solely as storage. However there is potential to convert the garage into ancillary accommodation or an annexe.

The detached Guest / Annexe accommodation was originally a coach house and has a seating area with storage cupboards, a woodburner, a spiral staircase which leads to a mezzanine area large enough for a double bed and some bedroom furniture. There is also a small area with a wash hand basin with storage cupboards under and a shower room consisting of, WC, and screened off shower with a rain shower head. The building provides perfect ancillary family or guest accommodation.

The rear garden can be accessed internally through the French windows of the Dining/Family Room or from the front door and then down the side of the house. The garden is extremely private, is not overlooked and orientates in a South Easterly direction. There is a large raised Indian sandstone terrace which runs the entire length of the rear of the house. This has stylish and practical lights embedded into the terrace. The terrace is large enough for a variety of outside seating and dining furniture to be placed making this a wonderful space to relax and alfresco dine in the warmer months. There is also a large decked area at the back of the garage which can accommodate further outside furniture. There is a small astro turfed practise golf putting green set into one of the lawns as well as an attractive water feature. The garden is small enough not to warrant year round maintenance, and with neighbours either side, is not isolated making this a fantastic property to lock up for a few weeks/months at a time if required.

The entire garden offers wonderful views over countryside and Ashdown Forest which combined with the tranquil surroundings provides a sensational space to spend time.



The Area


The village of Nutley is located on the edge of Ashdown Forest which is a popular destination for walkers, horse riders and nature enthusiasts. Nutley is a peaceful, historic and picturesque village with a strong sense of community.

School Lane is a pretty tree-lined quiet no through road country lane with some 10 dwellings. The Lane is officially a public footpath leading directly onto Ashdown Forest. This makes this property ideal for recreational walking especially for a family with a dog or children.

From the house the high street of Nutley is only 300 yards away (up School Lane) where all of the village amenities can be found. These include: the Church, a well regarded primary school, two shops (Whitewood Stores and Londis), BP petrol station, one pub, and two good restaurants – La Casa (Italian) and Hathi (Indian). The village also has a lovely coffee shop selling coffee and pastries and its own social club. There is also the village hall which caters for a variety of different activities and hosts various societies’ events throughout the year.

Despite its small size Nutley packs a huge punch with the amount of amenities it provides; it also has a vibrant cultural scene. The village hosts a number of events throughout the year including the summer fete and a Christmas market. Thel local clubs and societies include: gardening, squash, bowls, tennis and a history society. The village green plays host to the matches of the village Football and Cricket Clubs.

Nutley is a welcoming and friendly village with a strong sense of community spirit that makes it a great place to live.

Forest Row is the next closest village which is only a 10 minute drive. It has a good range of shops, restaurants and pubs. Forest Row also boasts a Rudolf Steiner School.



Walks


The village is surrounded by many different beautiful woods and the stunning Ashdown Forest itself. Within minutes from the property you are able to walk through these woodlands. the forest and open countryside on a variety of different public footpaths.
Although it may seem as if Nutley is quite remote, it is only a 15 minutes drive to the towns of Uckfield, East Grinstead and Crowborough, and 25 minutes to Haywards Heath. These towns have mainline train links to London and Brighton (Haywards Heath), and each town has an array of different shops, supermarkets, restaurants and nightlife.



Recreation


There are a number of well regarded Golf courses in the local area including Royal Ashdown Forest (15 minutes drive), Piltdown (9 minutes drive), Lindfield (15 minutes drive) Crowborough Beacon (10 minutes drive) and East Sussex National (17 minutes drive).
Uckfield Leisure centre is a 12 minute drive from the house and Crowborough leisure centre is a 15 minute drive. Additionally East Sussex National Golf Club Resort and Spa has an excellent range of fitness facilities and is just 17 minutes drive away.



Transport Links


Nutley sits on the A22 and if you head North it leads to East Grinstead or South on the A22 it leads to Uckfield.

East Grinstead mainline railway station is 9 miles from the house and is the recommended commuter station with its frequent services to London and a large station car park. Buxted train station is however only 6 miles away on a different line where journey times to London are significantly longer and parking can be difficult.

The house is well positioned to two of the other main local road links; the A272 (2.7 miles), and the A26 (3.4 miles). Brighton with all of its many amenities and attractions is 26 miles away and Crawley is 14 miles away. Gatwick airport can be reached in around 35 minutes.
There is a bus service which runs through Nutley with regular services to East Grinstead and Uckfield. The bus stop is at the end of School Lane on the high street (300 yards from the house).



Schools


There are a variety of excellent schools in the local area, both state and independent. Nutley Church of England primary school is at the end of School Lane on the high street (300 yards from the house) and is rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted.

Nearby popular Prep and Pre-prep schools are Cumnor House (4 miles away), Brambletye (7 miles) and Great Walstead (8 miles). State Secondary Schools nearby include Sackville (8 miles away), Uckfield College (6 miles), Beacon Academy (Crowborough 7 miles) and Chailey (10 miles). Nearby private schools include Greenfields (5 miles away), Michael Hall Steiner Waldorf (5 miles), Worth (11 miles) and Ardingly College (10 miles).
Nearby further education colleges are in Crawley and Eastbourne.


Come and have a look around this wonderful character property In Nutley and you will experience its charm and see its potential as a versatile family home. Modern life is always changing - this home can change with you, and give you the perfect balance of a thriving village and all its conveniences, along with countryside living, both well and truly on your doorstep.