Location

Middle House is situated in a semi-rural position on the edge of the village of Sharpthorne, in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, close to Ashdown Forest. Sharpthorne has a village shop (which can be reached on foot from the house) and the adjoining village of West Hoathly offers two public houses and primary school. Forest Row has shops and restaurants, and is about 4.5 miles distant. East Grinstead (five miles) and Haywards Heath (eight miles) offer a further range of facilities and amenities.   

Sussex offers many excellent sporting opportunities with golf at Royal Ashdown, Haywards Heath and Piltdown, and many other courses across the county. There is racing at Goodwood, Lingfield and Plumpton, and sailing at Ardingly and the coast. Spa and country house hotels include The Ravenswood Hotel, Alexander House, Ashdown Park Hotel, Gravetye Manor and Ockenden Manor.   

Sharpthorne is conveniently located from transport: Three Bridges (seven miles) offers frequent services to London Bridge, from 35 minutes. Gatwick (11 miles), services to London Victoria from 30 minutes. Further train services at East Grinstead (five miles), and Haywards Heath (eight miles). The A/M23 lies eight miles to the west and connects to the south coast, the M25 and the national motorway network. Gatwick airport 11 miles.

Schools: There are a number of highly regarded state and independent schools and colleges in the local area, including Cumnor House, Great Walstead, Brambletye, Michael Hall, Ardingly College, Bede's, Lingfield College, Worth and Brighton College.

All distances and journey times are approximate.

Description

Built in 1896, Middle House is the major central portion of a grand Victorian country residence. Set in an elevated position with spectacular far-reaching southerly views across Ashdown Forest (a Special Area of Conservation and a Special Site of Scientific Interest) towards the South Downs, this impressive home retains many delightful period features including high ceilings and working fireplaces. With seven bedrooms, it offers a versatile living space which is ideal for families, offering space to entertain and relax as well as the flexibility to work and study at home. Village amenities including1 a Post Office and corner shop are available by pavement on foot from the house.

Middle House has all the benefits of a country property on the edge of a village yet is 34 miles from Central London, with excellent transport links from Three Bridges and Haywards Heath station. Brighton with its seaside culture and further shopping amenities is 23 miles from the house.

The principal rooms are arranged on the southern elevation, with large windows to maximise light and to benefit from the views. The 35ft x 25ft drawing room was once the grand reception hall and features the original limed-oak wood staircase, with a working fireplace and French doors to the rear terrace. The sitting room is a more relaxed space for day to day, and has a working fireplace framed by a marble mantelpiece.

Equipped with free-standing units, the kitchen/dining room has a four-oven Aga, and a free-standing electric oven. A boot room lies at the side, with a corridor leading on to a wet room with access to a rear terrace with a Swedish wood-fired hot tub. The cellars offer ample storage for wine and good head height. A cloakroom completes the ground floor.

The limed oak staircase rises to the first floor galleried landing, which has a light well in the roof to give natural light. The principal bedroom has an en suite shower room with dual basins, and there are three further bedrooms (one with an en suite wet room), a family bathroom, a steam room, and a laundry room.

Reached via the secondary staircase, and ideal for children or guests, the second floor includes three bedrooms (one en suite), a family bathroom, and a large landing/play area.

Outside
Middle House is set back from the road behind panelled fencing, and approached via a long gravel driveway leading to a double garage with an EV charging point, which offers ample parking for multiple vehicles.
At the rear is a beautiful, fully enclosed garden with an elevated terrace spanning the rear of the house, giving space for outdoor furniture and a hot tub.
Steps lead down to the level lawn, a large portion of which has been rewilded as wildflower meadow as part of the 'Weald to Waves' initiative creating a wild corridor across the south east.

Agent's Note
The hot tub, and the 16 solar panels and their battery may each be available by separate negotiation.

Directions

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