Blacklands, Sedlescombe, TN33

There is a particular rhythm to life at this charming home. Mornings can begin with the sunrise stretching across the views from the upstairs windows, while the kitchen and garden become part of the everyday routine. Evenings tend to draw everyone back together, whether that is around the living room on a winter night or outside on the deck with a drink as the day winds down.

The house has been modernised by the current owner and feels light, practical and easy to live in. At its heart, the open plan sitting and dining space connects naturally with the garden through sliding doors, bringing the changing outlook into daily life. The living room is one of the brightest rooms in the house, with plenty of space to settle in, work from home or gather with family and friends.

The kitchen has been updated, including a larger window that makes a real difference to the light and outlook. Engineered wood flooring adds warmth and continuity, while the adjoining cloakroom make the ground floor work hard for family life. There is also a downstairs bedroom with a separate front entrance, offering useful flexibility for older children, guests, working from home or, subject to any necessary consents, a more independent annex-style arrangement.

There is a slightly quirky detail too: the small opening between the kitchen and lounge, kept because the current owner enjoys the character it brings. It is the sort of feature that gives the house its own personality rather than making it feel overly polished or generic.

Upstairs are three further good-sized bedrooms and a modern family bathroom. The main living room and all three upstairs bedrooms benefit from particularly good natural light and the far-reaching views. The bedrooms are also notably quiet, and the upstairs remains warm at night. Water pressure is described as average.

Heating is a mix of gas heating upstairs and in the utility room, with newer electric heaters in the kitchen and living room. Running costs naturally vary, but the owner notes that costs are particularly light through the summer months. Sky broadband is currently in place, and the owner has found mobile reception good on Three, making the house well suited to those who need the flexibility of working from home.

Outside, the garden extends to more than 100 feet and changes character as you move through it. A tiered deck provides the immediate outdoor living space, with a further lawned area beyond and wide views reaching away from the house. The sun is enjoyed from sunrise until around 5.30pm, and Fridays on the garden furniture with a G&T have become part of the routine. The garden feels peaceful and quiet; neighbouring homes are screened by established hedges and fencing, while there is still the friendly sound of village life nearby.

The garden is also a place to potter. There are pots to water, a swing chair enjoyed by the current owner's granddaughter, and a mature eucalyptus tree that moves in the breeze and provides a striking focal point. Future ideas could include refreshing the decking, flooring and improving the loft with a ladder and Velux window, or perhaps adding a summer house at the bottom of the garden.

Set in the heart of Sedlescombe village, this is a location that works particularly well for families wanting local schools and a genuine village routine, as well as couples who want countryside around them without feeling cut off. The village primary school is moments away, the Queen's Head is around a five-minute walk, and local walks can take you through the woods on a half-hour loop or towards the church. Blackbrooks coffee is just a short drive away.

Sedlescombe itself sits conveniently off the A21, with Battle and Hastings accessible for wider connections, while retaining the everyday feel of a proper village: the local shop, the pub, dog walks, runs, the village green and even the geese that have become part of the view and character of the place. School traffic is short-lived, with an alternative country route available when preferred.

For the current owner, it is the house itself that will be hardest to leave, alongside the familiar faces, dog walks, village runs and winter log fires. There are smaller moments too: watching the wood pigeons at the bird bath in the front garden, listening to the eucalyptus in the breeze, and knowing that a peaceful walk, a friendly conversation or an evening at the pub are all close by.