Hamsey, Lewes, East Sussex, BN8

Substantial detached house set in a rural position, with 1.4 acres of beautiful grounds

Description

Originally built as the rectory for Hamsey Church, Pellbrook House is a substantial detached property which dates back to 1922. It occupies a wonderful rural position adjoining open farmland, yet is just two miles (about four minutes’ drive) from the centre of historic Lewes. It has been the subject of further additions and now offers extensive accommodation arranged over two floors. At its centrepiece is an expansive and striking reception room, featuring beautiful solid wood flooring, Sonos sound system and a soaring central roof lantern, flooding the space with natural light. This impressive area provides an elegant setting for grand-scale entertaining and memorable gatherings. Beyond the grand reception room, the property offers versatile living spaces including a refined drawing room, a garden room that flows seamlessly into the kitchen/breakfast area, which is ideally suited for everyday family life, and a large games room designed for fun and relaxation, complete with ample space for a pool table, table tennis, and entertainment screens. For those working from home, a dedicated study/sitting room and adjoining further study provide quiet, functional workspaces.

With seven spacious bedrooms, Pellbrook House comfortably accommodates large families or multi-generational living. The principal suite impresses with abundant fitted storage, a generous en suite bathroom, and views over the Ouse Valley. The remainder of the bedrooms offer plenty of space for the family, one has a private section of terrace and an ensuite shower room, and one has a balcony; they all have built-in storage, and are served by a family bathroom and a separate shower room. Above the games room is a one bedroom flat with its own private entrance, comprising living room/bedroom, kitchen and shower room, which can either be incorporated into the main house to give seven bedrooms or used as secondary accommodation if required.

The house is approached via a country lane from the main road, over which Pellbrook House has right to access; it opens to a wide driveway giving plenty of parking space ahead of the Sussex Barn style double bay garage, and a further outbuilding, the former stables, now providing machinery storage and workshop, incorporating a borehole access and pump controls. Planning permission was granted on 12 April 2022 to convert this outbuilding to a single storey holiday let, consisting of living/kitchen, bedroom, utility and shower room, with parking adjacent, ref: SDNP/21/05817/FUL. The borehole provides irrigation for the beautiful landscaped gardens, and the productive kitchen garden which adjoins the outbuilding.

The driveway rises to the house and the gardens, which surround the house and lie mainly to the south; a formal lawn is bordered by well-stocked beds, with a central summer house. There is a greenhouse, a potting shed and two further garden sheds. Adjoining the house is paved terrace creating a wonderful spot for entertaining or simply relaxing whilst enjoying the surroundings. The lawn slopes gently away to the south and plot is well enclosed from the surrounding farmland. About 1.44 acres.

Location

Situated in the rural hamlet of Hamsey, in the South Downs National Park; nearby Offham has a popular farm shop (0.6 of a mile) and a garage with a shop, and Cooksbridge has a railway station (1.2 miles). The County Town of Lewes lies two miles to the south, offering a comprehensive range of shops, supermarkets, a leisure centre, a theatre and a cinema.

There are many leisure activities available locally, including local clubs for football, rugby, cricket and theatre, and extensive sporting and recreational activities across Sussex, with golf at Piltdown, Lewes, 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 (10 miles) 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.

Rail services: Cooksbridge to London Victoria/London Bridge, journey time from 66 minutes.

Communications: The A27 connects along the coast and to the A/M23 providing a direct link with the M25, the national motorway network and Gatwick Airport (about 30 miles distant). Schools: There are a number of state and independent schools and colleges in the local area, including Hamsey primary school, Lewes Old Grammar School, Burgess Hill Girls, Cumnor House, Hurst, Ardingly College, Brighton College and Eastbourne College.

All distances and journey times are approximate and sourced from Google maps.

Square Footage: 6,137 sq ft


Acreage: 1.44 Acres

Directions


From Offham (A275) take The Drove east, with St Peter’s church on the left. Keep forward, the driveway leading to Pellbrook House is on the left just before the level crossing.

Additional Info

Services: Oil-fired central heating. Mains electricity and water. Borehole for private irrigation. Private drainage (cess pit).

Outgoings: Lewes District Council, . Council tax band H

Photographs taken: May 2025

Tenure: Freehold

EPC rating: D

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

Cladding: We have been told that this property has no cladding. 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.