Broad Oak, Heathfield, East Sussex, TN21

An immaculate farmhouse with annexe and outbuildings including an agricultural barn with planning permission for a separate large dwelling, all set within about 66.88 acres.

Description

Taylors Farm is an extended, unlisted character farmhouse, offering delightful cottage-style accommodation fitted out to a very high standard throughout. The property is situated in a wonderful semi-rural location, away from neighbours and is well-screened by mature trees to the boundaries. Features of note include the many exposed beams, the large inglenook fireplace to the sitting room and the latched timber doors, with slate tiling to the kitchen and the old red brick-block floor in the atmospheric dining hall.

The sitting room is positioned in one of the extensions, offering a good ceiling height and combining exposed oak beams and flooring, complete with a wood burner to the Inglenook fireplace. The kitchen is very well-appointed with an Aga and modern oven/hob as are the bathrooms with wet room-style showers.

Whichever room one occupies, there are delightful aspects to be appreciated through the windows, either to the planted front and side garden, or over the land to the rear. Here there are distant views across the valley, on up to Mayfield in the distance, which is walkable via footpaths, with the study being the ideal vantage point.

The barn studio annexe does not disappoint either, having been beautifully fitted with stone flooring and underfloor heating, a large open-plan living space with a kitchen, two mezzanine areas ideal for sleeping areas and a shower room. The annexe benefits from fine views of the surrounding landscape.

The large modern farm building is neatly tucked away behind tall hedging and has its own spur drive near the farm entrance, with hard standing for plenty of parking and leads to the manège. It comprises three sections, two enclosed, with one being a tractor store and field shelter and the other being fitted out with five loose boxes, together with a tack room and a kitchenette. In addition, there is large central, open section, which is currently used for storage.

Planning permission (WD/2023/0283/F) has been granted to convert the detached farm building into a very substantial 5-6 bedroom dwelling, with potential for other uses with the necessary planning consents. Additionally, a CLEUD confirms that work on the conversion has commenced, so that planning permission is no longer time-limited.

Total landholding of about 66.88 acres, comprising a number of fenced paddocks with a water supply, open meadows currently used for haymaking, and substantial woodland rich with wildlife. There is a large pond and a river flows through part of the woodland. There is also an Area of Special Scientific interest (ASSI), a bridleway (marked green on the plan) and a public footpath (marked yellow on the plan) positioned well away from the farmhouse and outbuildings.

Location

Taylors Farm is located in a peaceful backwater off Swife Lane, within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, off the Burwash Road (A265) from Broad Oak. The property is very nicely set at the end of one of the small spur lanes, yet the villages of Broad Oak, Burwash and Mayfield are reached within about 2.1 miles, 4.3 miles and 5.1 miles respectively, offering local shopping and village life. The main towns of Tunbridge Wells, Lewes and Eastbourne are about 15.8 miles, 17.2 miles and 20.4 miles respectively, providing excellent shopping, leisure, cultural and entertainment amenities including Glyndebourne Opera House and fly fishing at the Lakedown Trout Fishery. The popular Lakedown Tap Room, approximately 1.2 miles on foot, provides a delightful setting to enjoy the locally produced beer and food pop-ups.

Locally, the market town of Heathfield is about three miles away, with several supermarkets including a Waitrose, animal feed store, selection of shops, farmers’ market, cafes, takeaways, dentist and doctors’ surgeries.

Mainline rail: Stonegate station is about 4.6 miles from the property, via the lanes, providing a service to London (South Eastern to London Bridge, Waterloo East, Charing Cross and Cannon Street). State and private schools: The area is well served by a wide choice of schools, with a primaries in Stonegate, Mayfield and Heathfield and secondaries including Heathfield and Wadhurst Community Colleges. There are independent preparatory schools at Skippers Hill (Five Ashes), Vine Hall (Robertsbridge), Battle Abbey (Battle) and St Ronans and Malborough House in Hawkhurst and at senior level, Mayfield for girls, Tonbridge for boys and coed options at Sevenoaks, Eastbourne, Upper Dicker (Bedes) and Brighton.
All distances are approximate.

Square Footage: 2,173 sq ft


Acreage: 66.88 Acres

Directions

TN21 8UU: From Tunbridge Wells head south on the A267 (Frant Road) for about nine miles passing through Frant, Mark Cross and Argos Hill. At the roundabout, take the first exit towards Mayfield, and then the right-hand turning sign-posted Knowle Hill and continue straight ahead into Newick Lane. Follow Newick Lane to the end, then turn left onto the A265 to Broad Oak. Continue on this road for about 1.8 miles, passing the row of shops, then turn left into Swife Lane. Keep on Swife Lane, forking left at the green and then left at the cross-roads, where Taylors Farm will then be found at the end of the lane.

Additional Info

Agent’s Notes:

I. There is a Countryside Stewardship Agreement over the farm which is administered by CLM, Sackville House, Sackville Lane, Hartfield TN7 4AW, which commenced in 2022 and expires on 31/12/26. The purchaser(s) will be expected to continue the scheme for the remainder of its term or indemnify the vendor against any losses.

II. There are CLEUDs for both the sandschool and the barn annexe conversion. The barn annex, being ancillary to the main house, is exempt from separate council tax.

Services: Ground source heat pump providing central heating and hot water to the house and the barn, mains water, electricity and private (sewage treatment plant) drainage. Underfloor heating in the barn annexe and throughout most of the ground floor in the main house.

Outgoings: Wealden District Council, Tax Band G.