Hartfield, East Sussex

“A distinctive post-modernist work of art”

This spectacular architect-designed four-bedroom house rests in an elevated position within over two acres of private landscaped grounds in the heart of the Ashdown Forest, East Sussex. Spanning over 4,300 sq ft and arranged across three carefully configured levels of exquisite craftsmanship, the main building is complemented by a self-contained two-bedroom studio and one-bedroom annexe.

The Building

Built in 2000 to a design by renowned architect Michael Wilford, CBE, the house occupies the former site of a historic hall. It was featured in 'One Hundred Houses for One Hundred European Architects of the Twentieth Century' alongside many of the emblematic modern houses of the period. In the book, the writer Eberhard Syring describes the house as "reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie House" and outlines elements that he defines as "deconstructivist" in parts and "classical modern" in others:

"The very rustic exterior wall of the base consists of sandstone blocks. The windows [on this part] are small and deeply inlaid. The upper floor, constructed from wood with ample panes of glass, offers a striking contrast".

The Tour

The house is approached via a private driveway that winds through an area of ancient woodland. At the front, an electric gate provides access to the grounds, with parking and a two-car port.

Meticulously landscaped grounds surround the house, harmoniously integrated with its tranquil rural setting. The façade cuts a striking low-lying figure, defined by a stone, Douglas fir, and stainless-steel construction. On all sides, ribbon glazing lends a seamless indoor-outdoor connection.

Access is via a bridge walkway, which leads to the main entrance hall on the first floor. Sleek, amber-pigmented joinery has been crafted with utmost precision, providing runs of wrap-around shelving overhead, blending aestheticism with practical utility and grounding the amalgam of varying heights. An open-plan kitchen-dining room unfolds into bright-coloured handleless cabinetry with integrated appliances and cork flooring underfoot, while ambient northerly light enters from dawn to dusk.

Across the hall, a double-height sitting room has split levels and full-width sliding doors opening to a superb balcony overlooking the garden. Book-lined alcoves, patinated floorboards, and structural painted steel add a distinctive textural quality.

On this level, a principal bedroom is flooded with natural light, with eye-level views of the garden, while a built-in bench beneath the windows is a thoughtful element of the design. An en suite bathroom sits behind an ochre-yellow doorway with a fitted bathtub and small white tiles on the surfaces.

Upstairs, the second floor is similarly finished and is currently used for storage.

A cantilever staircase descends to the ground floor, where two bedrooms and a sitting room/music room (formerly a swimming pool) are finished with joinery elements and garden-level windows, maximising open sightlines. On the lower ground floor level, a spacious cellar provides additional storage/living space.

Externally, a self-contained studio is configured across two floors with a carport and two-bedroom apartment. There is also a spacious annexe with a bedroom, kitchen and bathroom.

The house also comes with a Forestry Commission licence, allowing trees to be managed and felled for use as firewood.

Outdoor Space

Landscaped gardens surround the house, predominantly laid to lawn and bordered by established trees and high-level deer-proof fencing, lending an enveloping sense of privacy and calm. Flowering perennials and seasonal plantings provide visual interest throughout the year, while exposed and shaded spots lend diverse seating areas. A timber summer house is fitted with mezzanine storage levels, and a separate barn is currently used as an outdoor office.

The Area

The house is ideally positioned at the heart of the Ashdown Forest, an age-old area of open heathland in the High Weald National Landscape – best known as the setting of A.A. Milne’s ‘Winnie the Pooh’ books. From here, there is easy access to a wide network of walking and cycling routes deep within the East Sussex countryside.

The Hatch Inn, a highly regarded 15th-century pub, is nearby, while the picturesque villages of Hartfield and Forest Row are home to a wide selection of shops and restaurants. Crowborough, East Grinstead and Tunbridge Wells are a short drive away.

The area has an excellent range of state and private schools, including Cumnor House (Danehill), Brambletye and The Michael Hall Waldorf School (Forest Row), alongside Sackville and Crowborough Beacon. Ashurst and East Grinstead train stations are both under 15 minutes by car, with services to London Bridge and Victoria in under an hour. Meanwhile, Gatwick Airport is a 30-minute drive away.