Dog Kennel Barn, Bishopstone, East Sussex

Built around a beautifully landscaped garden, this expansive stone and flint house in Bishopstone, near Seaford, East Sussex, is nestled in the surrounding landscape. The original building dates from the late 17th century, with some later additions. The home comprises a set of former agricultural buildings, meticulously transformed to wonderful effect. High-quality materials and playful flourishes appear throughout, creating a set of spaces that balance new with old with ease.



Setting the Scene



Dog Kennel Barn was built in 1688, when it served as a kennel for hunting dogs. It lies within Bishopstone Village conservation area in the heart of the South Downs National Park. The village itself is extremely pretty and boasts a charming Anglo-Saxon church from 716AD.



In the 1970s, the home was an agricultural barn, but was transformed into its present iteration in 2007. In addition to the main, six-bedroom house, there is a garden annexe with its own bedroom, kitchen/living space and shower room. Large windows in the main house afford views across the fields to the sea or gardens. Rich materials and beautiful paint colours from the likes of Paper and Paint Library are used throughout.



The Grand Tour



The house is approached via a country road, which opens out to a large gravel parking area and carport via a timber gate. Wide steps lead up to the home’s main entrance, which is formed from the recycling of a threshing floor.



From the front door is a hallway with beautiful doors leading to a sitting room beyond. This is a delightful space with exposed beams and hardwood floors. The adjoining second sitting room/dining room is similarly capacious and has huge glazed doors leading out to a garden. There is an open fireplace at one end, an exposed original flint wall on one side and smooth elm flooring underfoot.



From the first sitting room is the kitchen, which has similarly generous proportions. An expansive island sits at the centre with a limestone counter and integral appliances. Hard-wearing porcelain floor tiles have been laid, and bespoke oak shelving provides plenty of storage. There is room here for a second dining space, if desired. Stairs lead down to a snug beyond with its wood-burning stove and then on to a large utility room and adjoining boot room.



There are three bedrooms in the west wing of the house, including the principal, which has a sublime en suite bathroom with CP Hart fixtures as well as a separate dressing room. Two smaller bedrooms here have access to a bath and shower room.



The remaining bedrooms are in the east of the house; stairs with green spindles ascend to the first floor, where rooms emanate from a gallery-style landing. Another large bedroom here could serve as an alternative principal with its superb en suite bathroom and balcony with views to the sea. The two remaining bedrooms (one of which is currently used as an office) share a large Jack and Jill bathroom.



Accessed via the rear garden but with its own private entrance too is the one-bedroomed annexe, which has a similarly superb finish. It has a shower room and a living space with direct access to the grounds beyond.



The Great Outdoors



The house has been designed to embrace its gardens, which have been created with the same meticulous eye as the building itself. Loosely delineated into separate but interconnected zones, there are separate levels and multiple points of access between indoors and out. The backdrop is remarkable and restorative, facing out across the nearby fields.



The house also has a large barn presently used as a garden and a beekeeper’s store.



Out and About



Seaford is a beautiful spot on the south coast. It has a pebble beach lined, in parts, with colourful huts and is close to the inimitable Seven Sisters and Cuckmere walks. Seaford Head Nature Reserve is also a wonderful spot for walking, as is the seemingly endless South Downs.



There are plenty of delightful towns nearby. Historic Lewes is a favourite spot with its many independent shops, fabulous cinema and is home to the likes of Dill, which has a Bib Gourmand nod and Taith for coffee with a view. Other local places of note include Charleston Farmhouse, home to the Bloomsbury Group, which has an annual literary festival and arts events throughout the year. Monk's House in Rodmell (once home to Virginia Woolf), Farley Farm House, Glyndebourne Opera and Rathfinny Wine Estate are all well worth a visit. British seaside stalwarts, Eastbourne, Hastings, Brighton and Hove are all nearby.



There are regular train connections to London Victoria from Lewes, leaving every half hour and taking 55 minutes. There is also a half-hour regular service from Bishopstone Station to Lewes (15 minutes) and on to Brighton (30 minutes). Gatwick airport is also only 33 minutes by train from Lewes.



Council Tax Band: G