Ripe Lane, Ripe, Lewes, East Sussex, BN8

Contemporary village home with annexe, garden and garaging, ideally suited to meet the needs of modern life

Description

This exceptional home combines striking modern architecture with sustainability, accessibility and everyday practicality. Built in 2013 on the footprint of a former ancient barn, the elevations combine traditional flint knapping and brick, plus green oak planking, creating a contemporary interpretation of classic downland architecture. Aluminium rainwater goods, accoya doors and windows, and green oak planking make for lasting good looks with minimal maintenance.

The property is energy efficient, with photovoltaic panels generating a feed-in tariff income, offsetting electric underfloor heating throughout the ground floor and in the upstairs bathrooms, supported by mains supply. Hot water is heated by immersion, although the solar thermal panels provide more than enough when the weather permits. The mechanical ventilation and heat recovery system contributes to year-round comfort in the main house.

With turn-key accommodation, Curls Barn has been thoughtfully designed with wide doorways and space to install a lift, offering the potential to adapt to changing lifestyle needs.

Features that enhance everyday convenience include concealed in-wall speakers, at present operated by a Sonos sound system. There is also a central vacuum system, Kinetico automatic water softener and a laundry chute between the ensuite and the utility room below. The ground floor of Curls Barn has high ceilings, ‘floating’ staircase, generous room proportions and tall windows which maximise natural light and frame the far-reaching views across the gardens and surrounding countryside.

The open-plan layout of the reception rooms is ideally suited to entertaining, with a double sided gas log-effect fire between them. The well-appointed kitchen/breakfast/family room offers ample space for day-to-day family use. There is also a large cloakroom and well-equipped utility room meeting practical needs.

The bedroom accommodation is versatile: the first floor of the main house provides master bedroom with ensuite shower room and dressing room. The three further bedrooms, all with built in storage, are served by a large family bathroom. There is a large walk-in loft accessed from bedroom two providing additional space for storage or a variety of other uses.

The detached self-contained annexe offers two further rooms and a shower room. This highly flexible space could be used as guest accommodation, a home office, studio, treatment room, gym, hobby room or granny annexe.

Please refer to the floor plan for a comprehensive overview of the full extent of the property.

Outside
The gardens are designed to be both beautiful and productive, with extensive terraces for entertaining, lawned area, a pergola walkway, raised asparagus, rhubarb and vegetable beds, plus multiple fruit trees and bushes. Four taps are positioned around the exterior of the house and grounds for convenience.

A detached green oak-clad garage provides two bays with power connected, plus a garden machinery store. There are two gravelled parking areas (situated ahead of the garage and next to the house) with generous space for both residents and visitors, while an EV charging point supports modern motoring needs.

Location

Situated in a conservation area in the attractive Sussex countryside between the South Downs National Park and the Low Weald, Ripe is a charming village with a rich history dating back to the Domesday Book. The thriving community-owned village store provides a hub, with post office, coffee shop and home produce. There is also a nursery school, ancient church and village hall.

For local amenities, the county town of Lewes lies approximately 7.5 miles to the west and offers a range of independent shops, supermarkets, cafés, restaurants, pubs, a theatre and cinema, mainline railway station and sports clubs plus highly regarded schools. Hailsham lies seven miles to the east, also with a good selection of shops and facilities.

The surrounding countryside provides exceptional opportunities for walking, cycling and riding, with the South Downs National Park close at hand. Golf is available at East Sussex National, Lewes and numerous other courses across the county. Sailing and watersports can be enjoyed along the Sussex coast and at Brighton Marina, while the area supports a wide range of cricket, rugby, football and tennis clubs suitable for all ages and abilities. Cuckmere Valley and the South Downs offer miles of footpaths and bridleways to explore.

The area is ideal for food and drink enthusiasts, with a broad selection of country pubs, restaurants and farm shops throughout the surrounding villages and market towns. Sussex is also firmly established as one of England's premier wine-producing regions, with several acclaimed vineyards locally. Country house hotels and spas nearby include The Grand Hotel Eastbourne, Gravetye Manor, The Star at Alfriston and The Alfriston.

Sussex offers a vibrant cultural scene, with the world-renowned opera and gardens at Glyndebourne, situated between Ripe and Lewes. There is an extensive programme of arts, music, theatre and literary events locally throughout the year, often at nearby Charleston Farmhouse, Glynde and Firle, plus the famous Lewes bonfire event every 5th November. Brighton also provides a wide range of cultural, shopping and leisure attractions.

Ripe is well positioned for local, national and international connections. Berwick or Glynde railway stations, both approximately three miles away, provide services to Lewes, Eastbourne, Brighton and London. The A27 provides access along the south coast and links into the wider motorway network, while Gatwick Airport is about 38 miles away.

There is a range of highly regarded schools in the area including Laughton Community Primary School, The Kings’s Academy Ringmer, Bedes, Lewes Old Grammar School, Brighton College, Roedean, Ardingly College, Hurstpierpoint College, Eastbourne College and Brighton Girls.
All journey times and distances are approximate.





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Additional Info

Agent’s Notes : 1. The bespoke rugs, furniture and large artworks in the two reception rooms may be available by negotiation. Likewise, the hydraulic lift in the garage is available. 2. The utility room appliances (washing machine and freezer), garden furniture, garden pots and planters are not included in the sale. 3. There is a well with a permanent grill and rain cover, with electric pump (currently not connected). 4. Curls Barn has right of access over the private driveway owned by Curls Courtyard. We have been informed that there is no maintenance charge.

Services: Electric underfloor heating to ground floor and upstairs bathrooms. Electric plus solar thermal hot water. Mechanical ventilation and heat recovery system to main house. Mains electricity plus solar photovoltaic panels generating an annual feed-in tariff of c£1200 (2025/2026). Mains water and drainage.
Broadband: FTTC.

Outgoings: Wealden District Council, . Council tax band G.

Photographs taken: June 2026

Tenure: Freehold

Viewing: Strictly by appointment with Savills on