The Twitten, Ditchling, Hassocks, East Sussex, BN6

GUIDE PRICE: £480,000--£500,000.

THREE BEDROOM PICTURESQUE COTTAGE IN A QUIET LANE IN THE HEART OF THE VILLAGE OF DITCHLING.

CHAIN FREE.

INTERNAL VIEWINGS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST.

In the beautiful setting of the South Downs National Park, this tranquil 3 bed, terraced cottage on a tranquil historic twitten in the popular village of Ditchling has a charming garden at the front and views to glorious countryside from the big, bright garden at the back. Cottage by name but not by nature, inside 91.2m2 (982 sq. ft.) of spacious rooms over 3 storeys deliver a sophisticated, contemporary lifestyle – and rare planning permission is in place until Dec 2024 to extend the already generous kitchen. Ideal for professionals or families of any age, with pedestrian access and no road behind it is fume free – although there is plentiful, free parking on the roads at each end. The shops and cafés of Ditchling’s High Street and popular primary school are within a 5 min stroll, there’s a choice of secondary schools both state and private within a 15 min radius by car and Hassocks Station’s direct trains to Brighton, Gatwick and London are a 5-10 min drive.

Built in the 1880’s, this classic beauty has been sensitively improved by its architect owner to create an inviting, comfortable retreat where the living dining room enjoys a wood burning stove and the sociable kitchen dining room, with custom made units and separate utility area, opens to a peaceful oasis for al fresco entertaining. Upstairs, the first floor effectively forms a relaxing principal suite with a quiet, comfortable bedroom and luxury bathroom with a roll top bath, and upstairs, the two bedrooms at the top have precious period character, the room at the back with serene countryside views.

Ditchling is a great destination for those who want quiet nights but swift access to shops, bistros and schools, and a park with a playground is a 5-6 min drive. For runners and dog owners a footpath to the National Park is 5 mins walk at the top of Lodge Hill Lane. Surrounded by towns and villages with their own distinct character and amenities, between 20 and 40 minutes by car approx., Brighton & Hove, Lewes and Gatwick are a viable commute.


Style: Terraced Cottage circa 1880’s, quiet Twitten, with planning – application Ref SDNP/21/05494/HOUS – to enlarge the Ground Floor Kitchen area.
Type: 3 bedrooms: 2 double, 1 single, 1 bathroom, living room, kitchen dining room, utility area
Location: Ditchling
Area: 982 sq. ft.
Outside: Front garden with Bike and Bin store, large back garden with utility/store
Parking: Free on streets around twitten to include the Local Village Car Park


Why You’ll Like It:
In a quiet, leafy environment within the pretty village setting this Twitten leads between two roads with plenty of free parking – and there’s a village car park too. Shielded from The Twitten by a leafy front garden which has a seating area with space for a bike store, this home radiates period charm and a stable door leads straight into the spacious living room.

An inviting retreat with a designer finish, the living room has 3.96 x 3.11m (13’0 x 11’1) in which to spread you wings. A room to enjoy come rain or shine, guests can relax in front of a wood burning stove and the high-quality oak flooring continues through into the kitchen dining room to ensure a fuss free flow to the garden.

All about celebrating friends and family, the bright, cheerful kitchen dining room has 3.97 x 3.11m (13’0 x 10’2), so ample space for a big table. Custom built cabinets have solid oak surfaces and high spec integrated appliances include a gas hob and electric oven.

Outside, a dining terrace is level with the house – unusual in a Downland Village – and looks over a lawn large enough for ball games to stunning views of the National Park. With low level fencing to ensure you can enjoy the picture-perfect surrounds even whilst seated, the garden is child and pet secure, planted for all year interest.

The current planning consent relates to the utility/store close to the house and is in place until December 2024. The detailed plans are available to examine but a very brief summary is that the utility/store will be demolished and a one storey extension to the kitchen built with an eco-friendly, sedum roof, and the garden will be restored after the work to include bird and bee friendly planting, hedgehog ‘holes’ and willow fencing. Should the consent lapse, the vendor is willing to discuss re-applying.

Returning inside, up on the first floor, the light and airy principal room is a delight to return to with space and grace – and it’s both private and peaceful with no passing traffic. Next door, the luxury bathroom has a Victorian influence in the glamorous, roll top tub, but there’s nothing old fashioned about the separate walk in drench shower or flawless finish!

Quiet and comfortable on the top floor, at the front, the single room is a generous size, ideal as a nursery or secluded room from which to work from home whilst the double bedroom at the back has stunning views of rolling downland. Each bedroom has precious period character, calm decor and spacious under eave storage.

Agent Says:
“Brimming with character this1880’s home is a rare find in an exclusive location within the South Downs National Park but with easy access to shops, schools and a station to London as well as the A23 for Gatwick and London.”

Owner’s Secret:
“We have enjoyed creating a uniquely beautiful home we have loved to live in – and we hope you love it, too. Far bigger than it looks from the pedestrian Twitten it is a quiet, restful and fume free sanctuary with no passing traffic at the front or the back. The easy flow of the ground floor to the garden is perfect for entertaining, or for a growing family and the garden is a leafy retreat which has plenty of space for us to relax as well as for sharing with friends. The location is perfect with the countryside on our doorstep, shops, station, schools and park all within easy distance and we can be in Hassocks, Burgess Hill, Lewes, Gatwick or on the beach in Brighton within a few minutes.”

Where it is:
Shops: Ditchling High Street 3 mins drive 15-20 on foot, Hassocks about 5 mins drive
Train Station: Hassocks Station 3-5 mins drive
Seafront or park: National Park footpath 5 mins walk, Adastra Park 4 mins drive, sea 20-30 mins
Closest schools:
Primary: Ditchling C of E Primary
Secondary: Downlands Community School, Burgess Hill Academy, Patcham
Private: Burgess Hill Girls, Hurstpierpoint, Brighton College, Brighton Waldorf School, Lewes Old Grammar

The friendly community of Ditchling is mostly on the edge of the South Downs National Park – but this charming, historic home is within it. Popular with families and professionals as you can walk to local shops, cafes and restaurants, local schools are good and easy to reach as are parks and playgrounds. Surrounded by other towns and villages which offer amenities like cinemas and stations, there are plenty of footpaths and bridle paths on offer for countryside walks and rides and direct footpath access to the National Park is a few mins walk. The coast is easy to reach by train, bus or car and this is also a well-connected spot for Brighton, Lewes, Gatwick and London.