Laughton, Lewes, East Sussex

5 Laughton Lodge is a splendid beautifully appointed detached home with four bedrooms offering spacious, light accommodation. The property is one of 22 homes in the Laughton Lodge co-housing community site, a jointly owned and self-managed community with several shared facilities, set in a rural position just outside the village of Laughton. The house itself has attractive timber-clad elevations and timber framing, while inside there are attractive reception rooms, which welcome plenty of natural light. Everyday living space is provided in the open-plan, 26ft kitchen/dining room with its well-equipped kitchen and dining area, which has French doors opening onto the gardens. The kitchen itself has modern fitted units, a central island with a breakfast bar and integrated appliances. Also on the ground floor, the well-proportioned sitting room provides space in which to relax, with its fullheight arched windows, French doors opening onto the gardens and Scandinavian-style woodburning stove. The timber-clad vaulted ceiling and galleried landing above help to create a further sense of space and light.

There is a double bedroom on the ground floor, which features an en suite shower room. This room can be used a ground-floor bedroom or could alternatively be used as an additional reception room. Three further double bedrooms are found on the first floor, including one with a dressing area with built-in wardrobes. The family bathroom is also found upstairs, with its overbath shower, while the first-floor landing provides a sitting or study area with plenty of natural light from its full-height windows. The property also benefits from a virtual freehold, with a 9,999-year lease issued in 1999, offering security and longevity. Laughton Lodge infrastructure is partially off-grid and designed with sustainability in mind. Water is supplied via a borehole, heating is provided through a wood-chip powered district system, and an 85kW community-owned solar array generates much of the electricity – often meeting demand during the summer months. The vendors have calculated that combined this reduces average bills by 40 - 50%.

The house is set on a peaceful private lane with parking space in front of the property. Further parking is available in Laughton Lodge’s carpark, for residents and guests. There are delightful gardens surrounding the property, which include raised beds and sunny south-facing patio areas and decking at the front. At the rear there is further paved terracing and a timber deck with a splendid roll-top freestanding bathtub. Beyond the terracing there are lawns and meadows, bordered by various established shrubs and trees, and shaded by mature woodland at the rear, which helps to create a peaceful, secluded atmosphere.

Together, the households manage the land (22.00 acres in all) and facilities, which include over 11,000 square feet of communal buildings housing offices, coworking spaces, artist studios, guest accommodation, and meeting rooms. The site also features stables with horses, chickens, individual and shared allotments, polytunnels, and play areas for children, creating a rich and vibrant environment for all ages.

The property is set in a beautiful rural position just outside the village of Laughton, within easy reach of the towns of Hailsham and Lewes. There are several everyday amenities in Laughton, including a post office, a parish church, a village hall and a primary school. Lewes is just six miles away and provides a choice of shops, supermarkets, restaurants and cafés, while Uckfield Eastbourne and the Sussex coast are also within easy reach. Uckfield provides a choice of shops, supermarkets and leisure facilities. There is also a choice of schooling in the town including primary and secondary schools, while the independent Annan School is nearby in Eason Green. Lewes offers further schooling, including the independent Lewes Old Grammar School and Bede’s Senior School. The area is well connected by road, with the A26 and A27 nearby providing access toward Lewes, Uckfield, Brighton and Eastbourne, while mainline rail services are available from Lewes (1 hour 10 minutes to London Victoria).