Church Lane, Albourne, Hassocks, West Sussex, BN6

A charming country home with equestrian appeal, set at the end of a no-through lane with views to the South Downs, mature gardens, stables and about 5.9 acres.

Description

The Glebe House is an attractive and characterful country home, originally dating from around 1900 and formed from a pair of cottages, later the subject of a thoughtfully conceived and sympathetic extension to the east in the mid-1970s. In the same ownership since 1972, the house has been carefully nurtured and enhanced over many decades, resulting in a balanced and appealing family home of considerable charm.

Occupying a delightful rural setting at the end of a no-through road, The Glebe House enjoys a rural yet accessible position, with far-reaching views across rolling countryside towards the distinctive ridge of the South Downs. Set within mature and beautifully tended gardens, and complemented by stabling and paddocks, the property offers a rare combination of period character, privacy and equestrian appeal, whilst remaining unlisted.

The house is approached via a sweeping, tree-lined driveway - planted by our client and now forming an impressive - leading to a generous parking area and turning circle to the front. The elevations, of brick and knapped flint, are typical of the local downland vernacular, while the interiors are rich in natural materials, lending warmth and texture throughout, including stripped wood and flagstone floors, timber-framed casement windows, panelling and a fine wooden staircase.

A wide oak front door beneath a gabled porch canopy opens to a welcoming entrance hall with flagstone floor and a turned oak staircase rising to the first floor. A cloakroom lies to one side, while two particularly striking reclaimed 15th-century Spanish doors open respectively to the study and sitting room. The study is a light-filled dual-aspect room overlooking the garden, with fitted book shelving, and offers flexibility as an additional reception room if required.

The L-shaped sitting room is a delightful principal reception space, enjoying views over both the front and rear gardens, with a glazed door opening to the garden, and a handsome stone fireplace with iron canopy and fire basket, flanked by arched recesses with fitted shelving. Double doors lead through to the dual-aspect dining room. The kitchen is fitted with pine units and worktops, a two-oven Aga, and space for appliances, together with a door to the outside and a secondary staircase rising to the first floor.

Upstairs, the principal staircase leads to a galleried landing with half panelled walls and an airing cupboard, serving two generous bedrooms, both with fitted wardrobes, the second featuring a charming cast iron fireplace, together served by a bathroom. Bedroom two connects to a secondary landing, also accessed via the back staircase, from which two further bedrooms and a second bathroom are arranged, providing an adaptable layout.

Gardens & Grounds
The Glebe House is set within beautifully managed grounds extending to about 5.9 acres, offering an attractive blend of formal gardens and useful equestrian facilities. Immediately to the west of the house lies a parterre garden with stone paving, enclosed by hedging and with gated access through to two pony paddocks. The paddocks, with water laid on and planted with a variety of specimen trees including red oak, horse chestnut and maple, lead on to the stables, which are arranged around a small post-and-rail fenced yard with direct access to the lane. The stable block includes four loose boxes, a foaling box, hay barn and stores.

To the south, a stone terrace adjoins the house, with two areas of lawn extending away, divided by hedging and bordered by mature shrubs and trees, all enjoying views towards the South Downs. A charming dell with a timber summerhouse offers a charming sheltered retreat.

Further outbuildings lie to the east of the house, including open and enclosed stores, log stores and a workshop, while near the driveway is a detached outbuilding comprising a double garage, garden store, gardener’s WC and laundry, presenting excellent potential for conversion, subject to the necessary consents.

The paddocks extend to the north, accessed both from the driveway and via a field gate from Church Lane.

Location

The Glebe House is situated on the western edge of the village of Albourne, a small village set in the picturesque countryside of the Low Weald, to the south west of Haywards Heath, with a primary school and church. There are a variety of local shops and facilities at Hurstpierpoint (two miles) and Henfield (four miles).

There are miles of footpaths and bridleways across the surrounding countryside and the South Downs National Park; a footpath just to the west of the house gives access to the neighbouring Albourne Estate vineyard (about a 10 minute walk).

Spa and country house hotels include South Lodge, Ockenden Manor, and Alexander House. Sussex offers a vibrant cultural scene, with world-class opera at Glyndebourne, and the annual Brighton and Charleston Festivals presenting a huge programme of theatre, dance, classical music and literary events.

Sussex offers many leisure activities locally including golf at Singing Hills, Mid Sussex, Pyecombe and Lindfield clubs, tennis clubs including Wickwoods Country Club, Hassocks and Lindfield, sailing at Brighton Marina, and a variety of local and county athletics, cricket, rugby and football clubs to suit all ages and abilities. Racing is available at Plumpton, Lingfield and Goodwood, with show jumping at Hickstead.

Hassocks railway station in just under three miles distant, with services to both London and Brighton. Haywards Heath offers a fast service to London Bridge and London Victoria, journey time from 45 minutes. The A23/M23 lies to the west, giving access to Gatwick airport, the south coast and the M25.

There are many highly regarded state and private schools in the local area including Albourne primary school, Hurstpierpoint College, Brighton College, Burgess Hill Girls, Lewes Old Grammar and Ardingly.

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

Square Footage: 2,269 sq ft


Acreage: 5.9 Acres

Additional Info

Services: Oil fired central heating. Mains electricity and water. The property has private drainage (septic tank), buyers should make their own enquiries as to whether it is compliant with the relevant government regulations.

Broadband: Fibre to the cabinet is available.

Outgoings: Mid Sussex District Council. Tax band G.

Photographs taken: May 2026.

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