Location

Walhatch Close is situated in the heart of Forest Row, a popular village to south of East Grinstead and close to Ashdown Forest with its 6,500 acres of heath and woodland. Forest Row has an excellent range of facilities including a number of independent boutiques, a supermarket, several cafes, antique shops, bakery, fishmonger, pubs and schools.

Comprehensive shopping is at East Grinstead (about four miles) and Tunbridge Wells (about 13 miles). There are many leisure activities available locally, including local clubs for football, rugby, cricket and theatre. Across Sussex, activities include riding on Ashdown Forest (for which a permit is required), show jumping at Hickstead, sailing at Ardingly and golf at one of the many courses across the county, including Royal Ashdown Forest just to the south of the village. The traffic-free Forest Way, a 10 mile shared-use path connecting to East Grinstead and Groombridge offers a pleasant walk or cycle. Spa and country house hotels include Alexander House, Ashdown Park, Gravetye Manor and Ockenden Manor.

Rail services: East Grinstead (four miles) to London Victoria, journey time from 56 minutes; Three Bridges (12 miles) to London Victoria/London Bridge/St Pancras International from 35 minutes.

Communications: The M23 is less than 10 miles away providing a direct link with the M25, the national motorway network and Gatwick Airport (about 13 miles distant).

Schools: There is a wide variety of state and independent schools in the local area, including Forest Row primary school, Brambletye, Cumnor House, Michael Hall Steiner School, Worth School, Lingfield College and Ardingly College.

All distances and journey times are approximate.

Description

9 Walhatch Close is a wonderful family house, offering a versatile and well-considered layout which is ideally suited to family life. Built by Charles Church as part of a small development in 2002, the property was reconfigured and improved by the current owners, including the addition of a rear ground floor extension, oak flooring, bespoke radiators and a tastefully re-landscaped rear garden geared specifically for relaxing and entertaining . It offers light, well-appointed accommodation, with high ceilings, generous rooms and inherent flexibility.

The charming oak framed, clematis clad porch shelters a solid oak front door, opening to spacious entrance hall, with full height storage cupboards either side.

The rear extension has created a superb open plan kitchen/dining room with a roof lantern, which has bi-fold doors to the rear patio – ideal for summer entertaining. The kitchen is beautifully fitted with stylish blue cabinetry and a range of Smeg appliances including a dishwasher, double oven and extractor. The kitchen/dining room is open to the sitting room, which has a wood burning stove. The property is also practical: there is a study and a family/playroom, offering versatile space for working and relaxing at home. There is a utility room with access to the side of the house, and a cloakroom completes the ground floor.

An elegant central staircase leads up to the landing, around which three bedrooms are arranged; two have fitted wardrobes and en suite bath or shower rooms, and there is a family bathroom. There are two further bedrooms and a shower room on the second floor, with eaves access for storage.

The house is approached by a brick paved driveway, which also gives access to the neighbouring house. There is private parking ahead of the two bay garage, which has power connected. The house and garage have recently been weatherboard in hardwearing cement board.

The fully enclosed rear garden has side access from the drive, with a flagstone path wrapping the house on three sides and opening to a patio at the rear; there is an elevated lawn and gravelled area which is suitable for furniture, with kitchen beds and an herb garden. There is an outside tap, and at the side of the house is a storage shed.