An elegant and spacious detached period house of Georgian origins, enhanced by fine walled gardens and a detached coach house/garage block.

Description

As the former rectory of the East Blatchington village church of St. Peters. The property is Grade II Listed and within a conservation area. It is believed that a parsonage might have sat on this site since the 11th century. The principal portion of the present house is believed to date from the 1740's and retains its elegant Georgian character which has been significantly enhanced as a home in the Victorian era and later, in the 1930's, with the sitting room extension. The large and useful cellar is likely to be pre-Georgian. The accommodation is now beautifully presented, and the garden secures a good degree of privacy as well as a southerly aspect.

Character features include the windows, some with original working shutters, the fireplaces from various periods and the staircase, with its Georgian style stick balusters and turned, mahogany rail. There is also a nice combination of hard flooring, including old timber, brick-block and 'Victorian style' tiling, along with carpeting in most of the bedrooms upstairs. The kitchen/breakfast room and the bathrooms are well appointed in a traditional style, with the kitchen fitted with an oil fire Aga as a centrepiece set into the chimney breast. Also, to complement the features, there are traditional style radiators for the gas fired central heating.

Outside, a beautifully kept garden wraps around the house on one side, with tall flint stone walls and mature trees and hedging, helping to provide good seclusion. The garden divides into two main sections, linked between the walling, with a formal lawn garden and terracing around the house, to the south and west, plus the large kitchen and cutting garden, with raised beds and a timber greenhouse and garden shed. Beyond the formal garden, there is a shingle drive with good parking, gated to the road, which leads to the separate coach house, which was originally converted to garaging, but is currently converted into a smart studio, with the garage option retained and a large office and store above (formerly an artist's recording studio). This building looks to have potential for full annexe if desired, subject to planning permission and listed buildings consent.

Location

The Old Rectory sits close to the village church of St. Peters in the picturesque location of East Blatchington within a relatively short distance of the golf course and scenic downland countryside which offers wonderful recreational opportunities. A tennis club is also nearby.

The charming local shopping facilities of Seaford itself are easily accessible and retain a sense of community often not found in larger towns. Seaford has 3 miles of fine seafront which retains considerable appeal as it is not commercialised, and offers varied water sports including sailing at the Yacht Club. The coastal towns of Eastbourne and Brighton are about 9 miles and 12 miles respectively. Lewes is 11 miles. Rail services run from Seaford connecting at Lewes or Brighton for London.

There are local state schools as well as a number of popular private schools including Eastbourne College, St Andrews and Bedes in Eastbourne. There is world class opera at nearby Glyndebourne, channel ferries are from Newhaven. The property is approached by a pair of handsome gates and a private entrance drive widening into a large forecourt in front of the detached cottage/garage block.

Square Footage: 3,269 sq ft



Additional Info

Local Authority: Lewes District Council

Services: Mains water, electricity, gas and drainage. Gas-fired central heating.

Please note; there is an improvement indicator noted on this property.