High Street, Lindfield, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16

Offers invited - A handsome double-fronted period home with charming gardens and a prime outlook with private frontage to historic Lindfield’s iconic village pond.

Description

Chelwood is a particularly elegant double-fronted period home, enjoying a privileged and picturesque outlook across Lindfield’s historic village pond. Situated within the Conservation Area, this handsome white-painted house features twin square bays and gables to the front elevation, and is approached on foot via a gravelled path and pretty picket gate from the High Street and the front lawn which borders the pond.

Owned by our clients for over twenty years, Chelwood is a comfortable and characterful home, now offering an exciting and rare opportunity for a new owner to modernise and make their own. Set behind an overhung porch with Juliet balcony and a tessellated tiled step, the property retains a wealth of period detail throughout, including high ceilings, original timber floors, exposed brickwork and timbers, picture rails, and wooden sash and casement windows (some with secondary glazing).

A half-glazed wooden front door with fanlight opens into a welcoming hallway with exposed wood flooring, a turned staircase rising to the first floor, and access to the cellar below. Three reception rooms lead off the hall: to the front, a versatile study or third reception room features a square bay window, wide brick fireplace, wooden flooring and picture rail; the dining room and sitting room are connected by a wide opening and sharing a lovely flow of natural light. Both rooms have exposed wood floors, bookshelving, and picture rails; the dining room has French doors opening on to the rear terrace, while the sitting room centres around an exposed brick chimney breast with a fitted woodburning stove.

The kitchen, located at the rear of the house, is fitted with a tiled floor, timber worktops with a stainless steel sink and drainer and a mix of open shelving and glass-fronted display cupboards. There is space for freestanding appliances, including a range cooker, fridge/freezer and dishwasher. A half-glazed door leads to a useful rear lobby and a cloakroom with WC and basin, which together could be reconfigured as a utility room.

From the hall, a turned staircase rises to a half-landing, where the family bathroom is located. It is fitted with a hip bath and basin; the Victorian WC needs repair. On the first floor, there are four bedrooms - three with built-in or fitted cupboards. The two principal bedrooms each feature square bay windows with delightful views over the village pond, and both have charming cast iron fireplaces.

Outside
Chelwood is set back in an elevated position behind the village pond, with a gravel pathway extending across the front lawn to the front door.

To the front, there are two borders under the bay windows stocked with mature roses and hydrangea. A small paved sitting area overlooks the front lawn which leads down to a glorious private area abutting Lindfield Pond, shaded by a mature Silver Birch tree: a perfect spot for summer drinks.

To the rear, the garden extends to about 150ft. A generous paved terrace spans the width of the house, accessed directly from both the dining room and rear lobby – ideal for entertaining or al fresco dining. There are two attached brick-built stores, and gated side access leads back to the front of the house.

Steps rise from the terrace to an area of lawn, enclosed by hedging and fencing, and bordered by well-stocked cottage-style beds and mature trees. A honeysuckle and rose-covered archway leads to a more lightly wooded section at the far end of the garden, where there is a timber shed, composting area, and a secluded campfire space.

Location

Lindfield is a picturesque and thriving village, offering an excellent range of local amenities within a short walking distance, including a variety of shops including a baker, award-winning butcher and grocer, boutiques and public houses, as well as a community hall, social club, and two village primary schools. The neighbouring town of Haywards Heath (one mile) provides a further range of facilities, including high street shops, restaurants, supermarkets (including Waitrose and Sainsbury’s) and a leisure centre; more comprehensive shopping can be found in Brighton (15 miles), Crawley (13 miles) and Tunbridge Wells (20 miles).

Sporting and recreational activities are extensive, with cricket, football and tennis on the Common, golf at Haywards Heath, Lindfield and Piltdown, racing at Plumpton and Brighton, 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 (15 miles distant) 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.

Mainline rail services: Haywards Heath station 1.4 miles, offering services to London Bridge/Victoria from 42 minutes, Gatwick airport from 11 minutes and Brighton from 14 minutes.

Schools: There are number of highly regarded state and independent schools in the area, including Lindfield Primary Academy, Blackthorns, Oathall Community College, Warden Park Secondary Academy, Ardingly College, Cumnor House, Great Walstead Preparatory School, Hurstpierpoint College and Burgess Hill Girls. Brighton and Hove Sixth Form College (BHASVIC) is a 16-minute walk from Brighton station.

All times and distances are approximate, walking times taken from Google Maps.

Square Footage: 1,402 sq ft



Additional Info

Agent’s Note: The two neighbouring properties have a pedestrian right of access over part of Chelwood’s pathway.

Services: Gas fired central heating. All mains services. Broadband: full fibre to the property is available.

Outgoings: Mid Sussex District Council. Tax band G.

Photographs taken: June 2025.

Site Plan: Produced from Promap © Crown copyright and database rights 2024. OS AC . Not to scale. For identification only.

Cladding: This property may have cladding. The property is under six floors so any cladding may not have been tested. 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.