Nell Ball, Plaistow, Billingshurst RH14 0QB

“The kitchen and dining room is a real strength here. The island gives everyone somewhere to gather, while the dining area opens straight onto the garden. Having a separate sitting room of this size is another advantage, and Plaistow is a village with a lot to offer families.” Gavin Amberton - Chantries & Pewleys

Plaistow is one of those Sussex villages where the local amenities play an important part in everyday life. The village has its own shop, primary school, preschool, village hall, playground and green, giving it a strong community focus.

Surrounded by countryside, Plaistow is also conveniently placed for Billingshurst, Cranleigh, Haslemere and Guildford, offering access to a wider choice of shops, services and transport connections.

Nell Ball sits within this village setting, and this superb property has been extensively extended and refurbished by the current owners. The improvements have created a four-bedroom home with generous living accommodation, a strong connection to the garden and additional space outside for work, exercise or storage.

The kitchen and dining room is at the centre of the changes made to the house. Extended in 2021/22, it has been designed around a large central island, with the cooking area arranged along the surrounding walls and a dedicated dining space overlooking the garden.

The Wren Infinity kitchen, installed in October 2021, combines light-coloured cabinetry with a contrasting dark island, generous work surfaces and a range-style cooker. 

The dining area sits alongside, with enough room for a substantial table without interrupting the working part of the kitchen. Bi-folding doors open directly onto the rear terrace, bringing the garden into view and making it straightforward to move between the two spaces when entertaining or eating outside.

The sitting room provides a substantial second living area, separate from the kitchen and dining space. A wood-burning stove forms a focal point, while windows bring natural light into the room.

There is plenty of space for sofas and additional furniture, with fitted shelving and cabinetry providing useful storage. The room also has enough flexibility to accommodate a desk or children's play area without taking over the main seating space.

A ground-floor utility/WC adds further practicality, keeping laundry facilities away from the main kitchen.

There are four bedrooms on the first floor, including a principal bedroom with its own en-suite shower room. The principal bedroom occupies the extended part of the first floor and has fitted wardrobes and space for additional bedroom furniture. The en-suite has a walk-in shower with a glazed screen, contemporary tiling and a vanity unit.

The remaining three bedrooms provide accommodation for family members or guests, with flexibility for a home office if required. A family bathroom serves these rooms, fitted with a bath and overhead shower, wash basin and WC, with a window providing natural light.

The rear garden has been arranged to provide several distinct areas, with a lawn, planted borders and a generous paved terrace immediately adjoining the house. Part of the terrace sits beneath a timber pergola, creating a sheltered seating area directly outside the living accommodation. There is room for both outdoor dining and more informal seating, while the lawn provides space for children to play.

A detached timber outbuilding, constructed in 2021, adds a particularly useful feature. It is divided between a garden store and a separate room currently used as a gym and storage area. This second space could also lend itself to home working, depending on individual requirements.

A gravelled parking area provides off-road parking, with the outbuilding positioned behind.

Together, the garden, terrace and additional building give the house more than simply outdoor space. They provide practical areas that can be used in different ways throughout the year.