Location

Great Saucelands is situated on the rural southern outskirts of Ardingly village, a popular and thriving village with an active community, in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Ardingly offers a good range of local amenities including a village shop, a primary school, bakery, takeaway, public houses and the South of England Showground, which hosts a number of events throughout the year including the annual South of England country show. The picturesque village of Lindfield, with its tree-lined High Street and village pond, is three miles away, and comprehensive shopping and leisure facilities are at Haywards Heath (3.5 miles), Crawley (11 miles), and Brighton (17 miles).

Sussex offers a superb range of sporting and leisure opportunities with golf at Royal Ashdown, Haywards Heath and Lindfield, and many other courses across the county. There is racing at Goodwood, Lingfield and Plumpton, and sailing at Ardingly Reservoir and the coast. There are many bridle paths across the surrounding countryside and the South Downs, as well as riding on Ashdown Forest by permit.   

Spa and country house hotels include Alexander House, Ashdown Park, Gravetye Manor and Ockenden Manor. The City of Brighton and Hove offer theatres, cinemas, shopping and restaurants, and there is the world renowned Opera House at Glyndebourne.   

Mainline Rail Service: Haywards Heath (three miles) offers regular services to London Bridge/Victoria/St. Pancras International, journey time from 42 minutes, as well as connections to Brighton, Lewes and the coast.   

The A/M23 provides access to the south coast and connections to Gatwick airport (14 miles), the M25 and national motorway network.

There is an excellent range of highly-regarded schools in the area, including St Peter's CEP School, Oathall Community College, Ardingly College, Cumnor House, Great Walstead, Hurstpierpoint College, Brighton College, Burgess Hill Girls and Lewes Old Grammar School.

All distances and journey times are approximate.

Description

Great Saucelands is a truly beautiful Grade II listed home, enjoying a wonderfully tucked-away setting between Ardingly College and Ardingly Reservoir, with delightful views across a large pond. The surrounding countryside offers exceptional walking opportunities via nearby footpaths, making this an ideal setting for those seeking a rural lifestyle within reach of nature.

Believed to date back to the 17th century, the house exudes charm and character throughout, while offering a well-configured layout perfectly suited to modern family life. A wide entrance hall sets the tone, giving access to a superbly proportioned, dual-aspect sitting room with a wide inglenook fireplace housing a contemporary wood-burning stove. This room flows seamlessly into a snug at the rear - an ideal space for informal living or as a children's playroom.

The dining room is another standout feature: a generous and atmospheric space, again with an inglenook fireplace and inset wood-burning stove, opening into the kitchen. The kitchen itself enjoys views across the front garden and pond, with dual aspects ensuring excellent natural light. It is beautifully appointed, with a classic design that complements the period nature of the house, and opens into a vaulted breakfast room with a glazed door leading into the garden.

Also on the ground floor is a practical utility room and a cloakroom with WC.

Upstairs, the first floor offers five well-proportioned bedrooms, all with views over the front garden to the pond, and one with an en suite shower room. A spacious family bathroom, with a period-style roll top bath, is accessed directly from the landing, with a separate WC adjacent.

Great Saucelands is a home of genuine character - thoughtfully updated to suit contemporary living while retaining the warmth and craftsmanship of its historic origins. The result is a comfortable and versatile family house with a timeless feel.

Gardens and Grounds
The property is beautifully positioned within gardens and grounds extending to about three acres. Overlooking a picturesque pond and backing onto open fields, the house enjoys a remarkable sense of space and seclusion, with a natural backdrop that enhances the setting.

A driveway leads to the side of the house and up to a detached garage. To the rear, an exquisite pool area lies just a few steps from the house - perfectly screened for privacy and designed for easy outdoor living.

To one side of the house, sweeping lawns are interspersed with mature trees, creating a wonderfully established feel. A further paved terrace provides additional space for outdoor dining and entertaining.