Location

Paddocks is situated on the desirable southern outskirts of Burgess Hill, opposite Bachelors Farm Nature Reserve, close to open countryside and just outside the boundary of the South Downs National Park. It is within excellent reach of local amenities: the station is approximately 0.7 of a mile, or 14 minutes' walk, with pavement all the way. Burgess Hill has a good range of shops, including a Waitrose, restaurants, wine bars, leisure centre and supermarkets.

There are many leisure activities available in the area with bridle paths and footpaths across the surrounding countryside, and golf across the county.

The City of Brighton and Hove is within 10 miles and is known for being one of the most vibrant cities in Europe, with a fantastic mix of shopping, famed nightlife, award winning restaurants, theatre culture, festivals and events.

Rail services: Burgess Hill (about 0.7 of a mile), London Bridge/London Victoria from 52 minutes or Haywards Heath (5.3 miles), London Bridge/ London Victoria from 42 minutes.

Schools: There are a number of state and independent schools in the area, including Burgess Hill Girls, Burgess Hill Academy, Downlands Community School, Hurstpierpoint College, Ardingly College and Brighton College.

Communications: The A23/M23 is to the west, linking to the motorway network, Gatwick and Heathrow airports and the coast.

All journey times and distances are approximate and taken from Google maps.

Description

Paddocks is a substantial detached house, originally dating from the early twentieth century; it was acquired by the current owners in 2021. They added a two-storey front extension and garage conversion, creating a five bedroom, three reception layout which is ideally suited to family life. Structural work has included reroofing, replacing the private drainage system and partial rewiring.

Externally, Paddocks has attractive part-brick, part-tile hung elevations under a clay tiled roof; inside it offers light accommodation with good ceiling heights and generously proportioned rooms. It has the further benefit of solar panels which feed to a battery, providing electricity and hot water.

The floorplans give an excellent overview of the full layout, with points of note including a triple aspect sitting room with an inglenook fireplace set with a wood burning stove; the separate family room has a bay window with French doors to rear garden, and could be used as a formal dining room if required. The kitchen/dining room has quartz worktops, with a good range of undercounter cabinets and open shelving; the dining area has bi fold doors opening to the rear garden, giving a fantastic flow between inside and out, ideal for entertaining. The adjoining utility room has access to the front garden, space for appliances, a drying rack with pulley and three sinks; at the rear of the kitchen is a pantry. A study and a cloakroom complete the ground floor.

The first floor has stripped wood flooring, combined with exposed plasterwork, giving a natural tone. The bedrooms are arranged around a central galleried landing. The principal bedroom has views over the rear garden, a dressing area and an en suite shower room. There are four further bedrooms, all with generous proportions, and two family bathrooms, with an additional large storeroom which is currently used as office space.

Paddocks is situated on the sought-after southern edge of Burgess Hill, just moments from the South Downs National Park, and a 0.7 of a mile walk along pavement to Burgess Hill train station. It is set well back from the road, approached via a driveway which leads up to provide parking ahead of the house. The rear garden is mature, with a patio, levelled lawns with space for garden furniture and wildflower areas with mown paths, cottage style beds and mature trees and shrubs. There is a polytunnel and a chicken coop.

The driveway forks at the front of the house and leads up to Paddock Cottage, tucked away at the far end of the grounds. Formerly a pool house, it is now used as storage and is ripe for renovation. In 2012 planning permission was granted for it to be demolished and rebuilt as three bedroom accommodation, with foundation partially laid; in 2021 revised permission was granted but no building commenced. It offers immense potential, and is well-screened from the main house by hedging. The full planning history is available on Mid Sussex DC's planning portal, with references as follows: demolition and rebuild 12/02036/FUL; consent as separate accommodation AP/13/0059; revised plans DM/21/2413.

The original swimming pool has been transformed into a natural pond, but could be reinstated. The grounds extend to 1.13 acres in all.