Hermitage Farm, Fowley Lane, High Hurstwood, East Sussex

Unfolding over 5,010 sq ft, this exceptional four-bedroom house lies within the rolling countryside of the High Weald National Landscape. It was designed by award-winning practice Avanti Architects as a contemporary reinterpretation of a mid-century country home. Nine acres of beautifully planted gardens and paddocks surround the house, which also has an annexe, currently used as a music studio. An emphasis was placed on establishing strong connections between inside and out; as a result, large swathes of glazing capture far-reaching views and provide seamless passage to a set of sheltered courtyards.



The Architects



Avanti Architects is an award-winning practice designing sustainable and joyful buildings. Established in 1981 by John Allan, who took the lead on Fowley Lane, the practice has delivered a range of large and small projects for both public and private clients.



The firm has also undertaken a range of restoration projects on 20th-century buildings, including at Homewood, 66 Frognall and the Isokon. This building makes constant reference to modernist design, from the sliding maple and walnut-wood glazed doors used to divide the space to circular lanterns and clerestory windows that bathe the rooms in light throughout the day.



Decisions were also made to ensure a stellar environmental performance, including a three phase mains power supply, an 18-kW solar farm with battery storage which both provide an EPC rating of B and enable fast charging of EVs. It is a fully 'smart home' with a Control 4 system, and a Sonos multi room music system.



The Building



The current owners gave Avanti Architects a clear brief: that they wanted generous living spaces that could be subdivided when necessary, a home that established a strong connection to the outdoors, and a separate, acoustically treated and air conditioned recording studio. In response, the practice was careful to deliver a building that responded to and celebrated its beautifully secluded site and its immersive views.



The house which is constructed using modern building techniques, incorporates both cedar wood cladding and local, traditionally fired brick. It has a pinwheel plan, with different wings projecting from a central area or hub. A lantern on top of the hub charts the sun's movements over the course of the day, while each 'wheel' has a slightly different but similarly serene outlook. The kitchen and main bedroom receive morning light and have long, rural views, while the living spaces are bright care of a south-westerly orientation. More on the design of the house in this video which Avanti Architects put together.



The Tour



Entry is to a hallway with a guest WC; a skylight crowns the space. This, in turn, leads through to the hub of the house, perfect for formal occasions or for laid-back weeknight suppers.



On the left is an open-plan kitchen with walnut veneer cabinets and Caesarstone worktops. Beyond is a useful utility room and boot room, with access to the outside and covered parking spaces. There is also a gardener's WC here.



The second wing is home to a generous living space, in turn opening to a study with a cantilevered window that projects into the garden. The whole space can be divided as desired by substantial, partially glazed sliding maple doors that retract into concealed pockets. Wooden floorboards ground the space, and glazed doors open the house up to the courtyard and garden beyond. Clerestory windows ensure that natural light enters throughout the day.



The principal bedroom is also on this floor. A bespoke bedframe is affixed to the wall, angled to face the incredible views over the surrounding Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There is a dressing room as well as an en suite bathroom with marble tiles from Mandarin Stone, a bath, a walk-in shower and twin sinks.



To avoid obstructing other areas, the architects were eager to keep the staircase separate. They placed it to the side of the house, wrapped it in curved stone and encased it with a glazed curved wall - rendering it a sculptural component in its own right.



Downstairs is home to three bedrooms, all with bespoke fitted cupboards and sliding doors which open onto a terrace. There is also a brilliant cinema room and a storage room/gym beyond.



Outside Space



The garden lies to the rear of the house and unfolds over two impressive acres. Designed to sit in equilibrium with the house, the grounds are an essential part of its overarching experience.



The geometry of the building was emulated outside and reflected in the landscaping and planting scheme. There are various 'rooms' within the garden, as well as a water feature that divides the space and provides gentle background noise.



The front of the house faces some seven acres of paddocks and fields, some of which have been rewilded and/or filled with wildflowers. At the northern end, a picturesque stream forms the boundary. Remarkably, the local seam of sandstone rock can be discerned, where mesolithic remains have been discovered.



There are also some remaining traditional farm buildings within the grounds which could be transformed into an annexe, once the relevant permissions have been sought. Water and electricity have already been installed.



The Area



The house lies on a quiet lane surrounded by fields and woodland in the hamlet of High Hurstwood, on the outskirts of the village of Buxted which has a mainline railway station within walking distance which runs train services to London Bridge in 80 minutes. It is also possible to access the Gatwick service from Haywards Heath (13 miles), for late serves to and from central London. Also within walking distance, largely through fields which form part of the property, is the locally renowned gastro pub, The Hurstwood.



The nearby historic town of Lewes is known for its wonderful cultural and historic attractions, including Glyndebourne, Charleston, Anne of Cleve's house, Lewes Castle and the ruins of the Lewes Priory, along with its independent shops, antiquarian bookshops and several antique markets. There are numerous independent cafés, such as the Flint Owl Bakery, restaurants such as 'Dill', which is featured in the Michelin guide, the historic Harvey's Brewery and local vineyards such as Rathfinney. There is a thriving local artisan community. A new cinema and arts complex, The Depot, shows both the latest blockbuster, and art house films.



Hermitage Farm's position means that some of the south-east's most popular towns are within easy reach. Brighton, just beyond Lewes, is around 40 minutes' drive, while Tunbridge Wells is around 13 miles away.



High Hurstwood is surrounded by beautiful countryside; the Ashdown Forest is just a few minutes' drive to the north and has a wealth of wonderful walking, riding and cycling opportunities throughout its 6,500 acres of heath and woodland. The house lies in the High Weald National Landscape, which encompasses swathes of countryside and picturesque pockets of coastline.



There are many education options in the immediate area, including state run Uckfield College and popular private schools, such as Lewes Old Grammar School and Cumnor House.



Council Tax Band: G