Clearwater Lane, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16

Guide £2.25m - £2.5m. Exceptional detached country house with landscaped gardens, a superb pool complex, integral annexe and a semi-rural setting between Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill.

Description

Green Lea is an exceptional detached country house occupying a semi-rural position between Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill, set within about 1.8 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds with a delightful outlook across surrounding countryside. Originally built in the late 1960s, the property has been thoughtfully extended and reconfigured during our clients' long ownership to create a substantial and highly versatile family home, including a beautifully appointed integral annexe.

Throughout, the house displays a timeless elegance, with classically inspired interiors, bespoke finishes and meticulous attention to detail. An entrance porch opens into a magnificent reception hall, undoubtedly one of Green Lea's defining features. Arranged beneath a dramatic double-height ceiling with panelled walls, a galleried landing and an elegant staircase, it immediately establishes the scale and quality found throughout the house. Luxury Karndean and Amtico flooring extends through much of the ground floor, complemented by carefully curated decorative finishes.

The principal reception rooms flow naturally from this central space. The formal dining room opens on to the south-facing terrace and gardens, while double doors connect through to the beautifully proportioned drawing room, centred upon a Chesneys fireplace with Jotul wood-burning stove. A generous dual-aspect games or family room provides additional reception space, with direct access to the pool terrace and an elegant spiral staircase rising to the principal suite above.

At the heart of the house lies an outstanding open-plan kitchen, breakfast and dining room. Designed around a bespoke walnut Smallbone kitchen, this impressive space features extensive granite work surfaces, a substantial central island, quality integrated appliances and a large roof lantern above the dining area. Doors open on to the surrounding terraces and gardens, creating a seamless connection between inside and out. A utility room, rear hall and cloakroom complete the ground floor accommodation.

An internal connection leads through to a self-contained one-bedroom annexe, providing excellent flexibility for multi-generational living, guests or dependent relatives. With its own entrance, it comprises a sitting room, kitchen, bedroom, shower room and additional hobby or dressing room, all presented to the same exacting standard as the principal house.

The bedroom accommodation is arranged around the impressive galleried landing. The principal suite comprises a spacious bedroom opening on to a balcony, an en suite bathroom and an extensive fitted dressing room with a second balcony. A versatile study provides an ideal space for home working. The remaining bedrooms are served by beautifully appointed bath and shower facilities. One room is currently arranged as a cinema room but could readily serve as further bedroom accommodation if required, while a second-floor bedroom provides useful guest accommodation.

Having evolved to suit the changing needs of our clients' growing family, the house offers exceptional versatility together with scope for further enhancement, subject to any necessary consents.

Gardens & Grounds
Green Lea is approached via a sweeping carriage driveway centred around an ornamental pond and fountain, providing extensive parking together with access to the detached triple garage. A useful secondary gated access is located further east along Clearwater Lane.

The gardens have been thoughtfully designed and beautifully maintained to create a series of distinctive outdoor spaces. Sweeping lawns surround the house while terraces wrap around much of the property. Highlights include an English rose garden, an oriental-style garden, ornamental water features, specimen planting and extensive outdoor lighting.

Completed in September 2025, the exceptional outdoor leisure complex provides a stunning focal point for the property. Centred around the heated swimming pool and expansive sun terraces, it incorporates a detached pool house and bar, beautifully finished in a striking Art Deco style and equipped for entertaining on an impressive scale.

Positioned separately from the pool area, a delightful breeze house provides an additional venue for outdoor dining and relaxation, while elsewhere within the grounds an enclosed kitchen garden incorporates a greenhouse and growing space. Further outbuildings include a garden store and ancillary garden buildings, all discreetly positioned within the landscaped grounds.

Green Lea represents a rare opportunity to acquire an exceptionally well-presented family home combining impressive entertaining space, versatile accommodation and beautifully designed gardens in a highly convenient semi-rural setting.

Location

Green Lea is situated on a private no-through road between Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill. Clearwater Lane itself forms part of an extensive network of public footpaths crossing the surrounding countryside, providing wonderful opportunities for walking directly from the property. Nearby destinations include the popular Hairy Dog Brewery taproom and the Fox & Hounds public house.

Transport: Wivelsfield, Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath stations are approximately 1.2, two and three miles respectively, offering frequent services to London Victoria and London Bridge, Brighton and Lewes. Gatwick Airport is about 16 miles distant.

Both Burgess Hill and neighbouring Haywards Heath provide an extensive range of shopping, leisure and everyday amenities, including supermarkets, independent retailers, cafés, restaurants, leisure centres and mainline railway stations. The city of Brighton & Hove lies about 12 miles to the south, offering a renowned cultural scene, theatres, festivals, restaurants and a vibrant waterfront.

Sussex offers an exceptional range of sporting and recreational opportunities, including golf at Piltdown, East Sussex National and many other courses across the county; racing at Plumpton and Brighton; showjumping at Hickstead; sailing at Ardingly and Weir Wood reservoirs and along the South Coast; and excellent walking and riding country, including the South Downs National Park and Ashdown Forest. The internationally acclaimed Glyndebourne Opera House is also within easy reach near Lewes.

There is an excellent selection of schools in the area, in both the state and private sectors, including Holy Trinity Primary School in Cuckfield, Warden Park Secondary Academy, Great Walstead, Cumnor House, Burgess Hill Girls, Brighton College, Ardingly College and Hurstpierpoint College.

Sussex is equally renowned for its food and drink offering, with an excellent choice of gastro pubs, country house hotels and Michelin-recognised restaurants. The county is also at the heart of England's thriving wine industry, with numerous vineyards and tasting experiences nearby. Notable hotels and spas in the area include Gravetye Manor, Alexander House, Ashdown Park Hotel and Ockenden Manor.

All distances and journey times are approximate.

Square Footage: 5,410 sq ft


Acreage: 1.8 Acres

Additional Info

Agent Notes: Clearwater Lane is a private road and footpath.

Services: Oil-fired central heating, underfloor through the ground floor (except drawing and sitting rooms). The pool is heated by an air-source heat pump, and the pool house by electric under floor heating. Mains electricity and water.
Broadband: Fibre to the cabinet is available.

The property has private drainage (Klargester sewage treatment plant) and we understand is compliant with the relevant government regulations/registered with the appropriate body.

Outgoings: Mid Sussex District Council. Tax band F, with an improvement indicator.

Photographs taken: September 2026.