Highfields, Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18

An extended 1930s Arts & Crafts semi-detached house in the heart of Forest Row, combining character with contemporary design, enjoying an elevated position and far-reaching village views.

Description

Hurstview is a well-proportioned semi-detached house dating from 1935, occupying an elevated position in the heart of Forest Row and enjoying particularly attractive views across the village to the rear. The house retains the integrity of its Arts & Crafts origins, with our client having undertaken a comprehensive programme of extension and refurbishment to create a spacious, well-designed family home offered for sale with no onward chain.

The result is a balanced combination of retained period detail and carefully considered contemporary additions with high ceilings and an abundance of natural light. Throughout, the house is presented in a largely neutral palette, with modern fittings carefully integrated to complement the original character. Natural materials remain central to the aesthetic, including timber floors, clay tiled details and exposed joinery, complemented by modern interventions such as double-glazed Heritage windows, thermo Ayous cladding to the rear extension and a bespoke kitchen by Uncommon Projects of Greenwich.

An open porch with a stone archway leads to a half-glazed front door and into the entrance hall, which features a wooden floor, staircase to the first floor and a useful understairs cupboard. To the left is a versatile workshop or store room with durable flooring and double doors opening to the front. There are two reception rooms, both with timber flooring. The sitting room is a bright, well-proportioned space with a large front-facing window and a brick fireplace with a clay tiled hearth. The dining room lies to the rear, with French doors opening on to steps down to the terrace.

A cloakroom has been created from the original larder and retains its character, including original windows and mesh grate, now paired with tessellated tiling.
Steps lead down to the kitchen and breakfast room, which forms the focal point of the house. This is a vaulted rear extension providing a generous, open-plan space with oak flooring and sliding doors to the terrace. The kitchen is fitted with bespoke cabinetry by Uncommon Projects, HiMacs worktops and a central island featuring a Bora hob with integrated extraction. Appliances include Fisher & Paykel ovens, AEG refrigeration, a Bosch dishwasher and filtered, boiling water tap. There is ample room for a large dining table. A separate utility room provides additional storage and space for laundry appliances. Underfloor heating runs throughout the kitchen and breakfast room, utility room and workshop.

On the first floor, a split-level galleried landing offers space for a study area, leading to three well-presented bedrooms, all with wooden floors. These are served by a part-tiled bathroom with marble detailing and a separate shower room.

A further staircase rises to the second floor, where there is a spacious principal bedroom with views to both front and rear. A separate storage room offers potential for conversion to additional washroom space if required.

Outside
The property is situated on a private, no-through lane and is approached via gently sloping block-paved driveway providing parking for two cars, with additional gravelled hardstanding at the top. The front garden is laid to lawn with established flower and shrub borders, along with a timber bike store and a practical outdoor dog shower.

To the rear, a raised stone terrace with iron railings provides space for outdoor seating and takes advantage of the elevated views. Steps lead down to a lawned garden arranged over gentle levels with sleeper retaining edges and wide steps. The garden is enclosed by hedging and fencing and is well planted with a variety of shrubs and borders.

A timber sculpture by a local artist provides a focal point, and at the far end of the garden is a contemporary larch-clad studio and garden office. It is fully insulated with double glazed windows and electric underfloor heating, making it suitable for year-round use.

Location

Highfields is situated in the heart of Forest Row, a popular and vibrant East Sussex village just to the south of East Grinstead and on the edge of Ashdown Forest, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with 6,500 acres of heath and woodland. A small twitten at the end of the lane leads directly to the centre of the village which offers a wide range of everyday amenities, including independent shops and boutiques, a supermarket, cafés, a bakery, fishmonger, pubs and well-regarded local schools.

Comprehensive shopping can be found at East Grinstead (about four miles) and Tunbridge Wells (about 12–13 miles). There are a range of leisure opportunities locally, including football, rugby, cricket and theatre, together with riding on Ashdown Forest (by permit), sailing at Ardingly and golf at a number of nearby courses, notably the Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club. The traffic-free Forest Way provides a scenic route for walking and cycling between East Grinstead and Groombridge. Spa and country house hotels in the area include Alexander House, Ashdown Park, Gravetye Manor and Ockenden Manor.

Rail services are available from East Grinstead (about four miles), with direct services to London Victoria from around 56 minutes, and from Three Bridges (about 12 miles), with faster services to London Bridge, Victoria and St Pancras International from approximately 35–40 minutes.

The M23 lies within about 10 miles, providing access to the M25 and Gatwick Airport, which is approximately 13 miles distant.

There is a good selection of both state and independent schools locally, including Forest Row Primary, Brambletye, Cumnor House, Michael Hall School, Worth School, Lingfield College and Ardingly College.

All distances and journey times are approximate.

Square Footage: 1,975 sq ft



Additional Info

Agent Notes: Highfields is a private lane. The properties on the lane contribute to the upkeep of the lane on an ad-hoc basis, on average £30 every two years.

Services: Air source heat pump powered electric heating and hot water. Mains electricity, water and drainage.

Broadband: full fibre broadband is available.

Outgoings: Wealden District Council. Tax band E.

Photographs taken: May 2026.