Cowbeech Hill, Cowbeech

An imposing and distinguished detached house dating from 1938 of 5,248 sq ft, including a self-contained annexe, situated on high ground, commanding outstanding far-reaching southerly views to the sea, in a semi-rural location, privately set amidst established grounds of 3.4 acres.

Beech Cross is an imposing and distinguished detached family house of 5,248 sq ft dating from around 1938, having been in the same ownership for 58 years, offering wonderful family accommodation with outstanding southerly views to the sea in the distance. The location and views are mostly protected by Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) designation, as well as by South Downs National Park land.
The elevations are timber framed with Canadian cedarwood weatherboarding beneath a cedar tiled roof. The well-proportioned accommodation, with good ceiling heights throughout, including the self-contained first floor annexe above the garaging, all benefits from an oil-fired central heating system.
The main features are
• Timber door to the entrance vestibule with a glazed door to the spacious entrance hall with three-quarter height wood panelling, a gracious introduction to the house with two arches opening into the garden room offering spectacular far-reaching views. Wood panelled to three-quarter height with a brick mantelpiece and hearth and gas coal-effect fire. Glazed double doors with remote controlled awning over, designed to take advantage of the wonderful views to the sea.
• The triple aspect drawing room is impressively proportioned with an attractive curved bay and porthole window. There is a stone fireplace, mantelpiece and hearth with a fitted gas coal-effect fire. A tall sash window frames the splendid view.
• The library is timber panelled with an excellent range of fitted bookshelves and a part glazed panel door to the terrace and garden. The bright double aspect study has a part glazed door to the terrace. A cupboard houses the boiler.
• The dining room has three-quarter height wood panelled walls and a double aspect over the garden. Art Deco-style marble fireplace and hearth with fitted gas coal fire.
• The telephone room is a compact but useful area, being wood panelled, and so named as it was home to the family telephone in the current owner’s early occupation.
• The cloakroom has a WC and wash basin, lobby with space for coats. A second cloakroom provides additional storage. The pantry has extensive fitted cupboards from floor to ceiling and a porthole window overlooking the front drive. Doors to the boiler room and the front drive.
• The triple aspect kitchen/breakfast room is of excellent proportions, with a range of painted wooden wall and base units with co-ordinating worktops incorporating a 1½ bowl sink unit with mixer taps and drainer, four-ring Beko induction hob with overhead extractor, Hotpoint double oven and a dishwasher. There are two glass-fronted dressers, a walk-in larder and ample space for a breakfast table.
• The utility room has a range of wall and base units with a 1½ bowl sink unit with drainer and mixer tap, plumbing for washing machine and tumble dryer, door to the coal cellar and the gardener’s cloakroom with WC, and a further door to the two garages, .
• On the first floor the landing has a linen cupboard and hatch access to the generous attic which runs the length of the house and has an integral drop-down wooden ladder.
• The excellent principal bedroom has a triple aspect, fitted wardrobe cupboards and a window seat. There is a door to the adjacent Bedroom 4 with fitted wardrobe cupboards.
• Bedroom 2 has fitted wardrobes and a dressing table, bedroom 3 has a single wardrobe and similar view.
• Bedroom 5 is double aspect and has a range of fitted wardrobe cupboards which flank a window seat. Large en suite shower room with glazed and tiled shower cubicle, WC and pedestal wash basin, and a separate dressing area.
• The family shower room with a part glazed shower unit with electric shower, pedestal wash basin, WC, heated towel rail.
• The main family bathroom has a panelled bath, pedestal wash basin, WC, wood-effect vinyl flooring and part tiled walls. The secondary bathroom has a walk-in bath, pedestal wash basin, partly tiled walls and heated towel rail.

Annexe
This first floor flat (799 sq ft) was created in 1988 and is located above the garage block, accessed via a separate exterior door to the side of the house. Heating is provided by wall-mounted electric heaters.
The bright and spacious triple aspect sitting room has excellent proportions. The kitchen/breakfast room has wall and base units incorporating a 1½ bowl stainless steel sink unit with mixer taps and drainer, four-ring Beko hob with overhead extractor and Beko oven beneath. Space for a small breakfast table. Two windows overlook the front drive.
The double bedroom has fitted wardrobe cupboards and two windows overlooking the garden and swimming pool. The bathroom has a panelled bath with overhead shower attachment, pedestal wash basin, WC, heated towel rail and vinyl flooring.

Outside
Beech Cross is approached over a circular driveway, bordered by lawns, and with a central oval flower bed planted with mature shrubs and flowers. The driveway provides parking for a good number of vehicles, and gives access to the two double garages both with remote controlled up-and-over doors; one with a door to the side of the house and the other with a cupboard housing the meters and consumer units.
The grounds have been carefully maintained, offering different areas suitable for entertaining, dining, horticulture and leisure. Undoubtedly the most notable feature of these beautifully tended grounds are the wonderful far-reaching southerly views over rolling countryside to the sea.
At the south side, a stone-flagged, stone-walled terrace leads down to a little circular ornamental pond, with a larger fishpond beyond the lawns, which slope down gently with tall trees flanking both sides. A beech hedge divides the main lawn from a small orchard and a fruit cage. A gate leads to a paddock with former stable and mature trees to the east.
There is a good-sized swimming pool with new boiler house set in the gardens to the east side of the house. It faces south and is surrounded by a paved terrace with plenty of room for tables, chairs and loungers.
The planting comprises various roses, including climbers on the house and an enclosed rose garden. There are many shrubs, heathers and herbaceous plants, a fine copper beech tree and silver birches. In all about 3.4 acres.