Keysford Lane, Horsted Keynes, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17

An attractive four bedroom 1930s detached country home combining period charm, modern comfort and a delightful rural outlook, bordering the Bluebell Steam Railway.

Description

Hollywell House is an attractive and well-proportioned country home, dating from the 1930s and originally built by the local water board as the manager’s cottage. Sympathetically extended and comprehensively renovated in 2009, with the addition of a south-facing conservatory in 2011, the property now offers generous and versatile accommodation extending to over 2,500 square feet. The house successfully blends its period origins with modern comfort, combining character features such as working fireplaces, picture and dado rails, with contemporary fixtures and finishes including limed oak flooring through much of the house and stylish bathroom suites, to create a warm, welcoming and well-presented family home.

The accommodation is arranged over two floors, its layout illustrated on the accompanying floor plan. At the heart of the home lies an elegant sitting room with study area, centred around a limestone fireplace with inset woodburning stove, and enjoying a bright, double-aspect outlook with French doors opening through to the generous conservatory beyond. Across the hall is second reception room, also with a limestone fireplace, a versatile space which could be used as a formal dining room or a cosy snug.

The L-shaped, open-plan kitchen, breakfast and family room is the heart of everyday living - well appointed with a range of solid wood, shaker-style cabinets and a central island topped with wood-block work surfaces. A double butler sink and a Rangemaster oven with gas hob provide both practicality and style, while space and plumbing are in place for an American-style fridge/freezer. The island incorporates breakfast bar seating, and the generous proportions of the room allow ample space for a breakfast table and/or relaxed seating area. Completing the ground floor is a useful utility room adjoining the kitchen, and a cloakroom.

Upstairs, the principal bedroom is notably spacious, featuring a fully tiled en suite shower room, while the remaining bedrooms are served by a large family bathroom, complete with a cast-iron feature fireplace and a suite incorporating both a bath and a generous double shower enclosure.

Outside
Hollywell House occupies a delightful semi-rural setting along a private lane off Keysford Lane, shared with only two other cottages. A timber five-bar gate opens to a gravelled driveway providing ample parking, and leading on to a detached, timber-framed double garage with adjoining store room. A gate opens to a pathway crossing the lawn to the house, bordered by shrubs and specimen planting, including a mature eucalyptus.

To the rear, a broad paved terrace adjoins the house, offering an ideal spot for outdoor dining and entertaining, and leading on to the main garden, which is largely laid to lawn. Beyond, a gate opens to the paddock, extending the grounds and creating a delightful rural outlook with the Bluebell Steam Railway running along the eastern boundary. At one end lies a productive kitchen garden with raised beds, two polytunnels and a large enclosed chicken run, ideal for those seeking a degree of self-sufficiency.

In all, the gardens and grounds extend to about 1.6 acres.

Location

Hollywell House is located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, on the edge of the popular village of Horsted Keynes and backing onto the picturesque Bluebell Railway line.

Horsted Keynes is a sought-after historic village popular for its picturesque setting, thriving community and convenient proximity to Haywards Heath’s railway station, the village offers a local shop and post office, public house and primary school. The historic village of Lindfield, with its pretty tree-lined High Street, is within two miles and is known for its period houses, parish church, village pond and variety of independent shops.

Comprehensive shopping is available at Haywards Heath (five miles), Tunbridge Wells (17 miles) or Brighton (21 miles).

Haywards Heath mainline station is about five miles distant (c.13 minutes by car) and offers frequent rail services to London Bridge/Victoria from 42 minutes. Gatwick airport 17 miles.

There are many leisure activities available in the area including riding on Ashdown Forest (permit required), sailing at Ardingly and golf across the county. There is a vibrant cultural and arts scene in Sussex, with world-class opera at Glyndebourne, theatre at Royal Tunbridge Wells and the annual Brighton Festival presenting a huge programme of theatre, dance, classical music and literary events. Spa and country house hotels include Ockenden Manor, Alexander House, Ashdown Park, Gravetye Manor and South Lodge.

Schools: There is a good range of schools in the area, both state and private, including St. Giles primary school in the village, Cumnor House in Danehill, Great Walstead near Lindfield and Ardingly College.

All times and distances are approximate; driving times taken from Google Maps.

Square Footage: 2,542 sq ft



Additional Info

Agent's Notes: The main light in bedroom one, some of the outside lighting, and the cold tap in the cloakroom are not currently in working order.
The lane is owned by South East Water. Hollywell House and its two neighbouring properties contribute to the upkeep of the lane as and when required.

Services: Oil fired central heating. LPG for the gas hob. Mains electricity and water. Shared private drainage (cesspit). Broadband: fibre to the cabinet is available.

Outgoings: Mid Sussex District Council. Tax band G.

Photographs taken: October 2025.

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