Location

Harrock Barn is situated in Buxted, a popular village with a primary school, health centre with pharmacy, two public houses, a village store and farm shop, together with a mainline railway station, only half a mile from the house (or c.10 minutes' walk). The neighbouring village of Maresfield has a Marks and Spencer food hall, and 24-hour Little Waitrose (both within 2.5 miles, or seven minutes by car).   

The old market town of Uckfield (two miles) offers a more comprehensive range of facilities including High Street shops, an independent cinema, supermarkets and a leisure centre. Lewes 11 miles; Haywards Heath 12 miles; Tunbridge Wells 14 miles.   

Buxted is just south of Ashdown Forest which offers superb walking and off road riding (for which a permit is required). There is a vibrant cultural scene in Sussex, with world-class opera at Glyndebourne, theatre at Royal Tunbridge Wells, the nearby historic County town of Lewes - famous for its bonfire celebrations, and the annual Brighton and Charleston Festivals presenting a huge programme of theatre, dance, classical music and literary events.                     

Transport: Buxted, 0.5 miles (London Bridge from 63 minutes), Uckfield, 2.5 miles (London Bridge from 70 minutes), Haywards Heath, 13.5 miles (London Bridge/Victoria from 42 minutes), and Tunbridge Wells, 14 miles (London Charing Cross from 53 minutes). Gatwick airport 21.5 miles.         

Schools: There are a number of state and independent schools and colleges in the local area, including Buxted, Maresfield and High Hurstwood village primary schools, Uckfield Community College, and independent schools Cumnor House in Danehill, Great Walstead near Lindfield, Brambletye near East Grinstead, Michael Hall in Forest Row, Mayfield School, Worth School, Tonbridge, Ardingly College, Bede's near Hailsham and Brighton College.   

All times and distances are approximate, walking and driving times taken from Google Maps.

Description

Harrock Barn is a beautifully presented, substantial detached barn conversion dating from the late 17th century and originally part of the neighbouring Grade II* listed Harrock House estate. Remaining unlisted, it was carefully and thoughtfully converted in 2007 to an exceptional standard, offering wonderfully light and spacious family accommodation, blending the warmth and character of its origins with the comfort and convenience of modern living.

The front door opens into a spacious reception hall with wooden flooring. Leading off the hall is the principal bedroom suite, which includes a generous bedroom, a large en suite bathroom, and a separate dressing room (which could also serve as a sixth bedroom) with its own en suite shower room. The hall also provides access to two additional bedrooms, a family bathroom, and a separate cloakroom.

A staircase rises from the hall to the principal living accommodation, arranged on the first floor to take full advantage of the building's vaulted proportions and exposed timber structure. This striking space incorporates a triple-aspect sitting room, dining area and kitchen/breakfast room, all bathed in natural light from large windows framing views across the gardens and grounds. Although situated on the first floor, the house's position - nestled into the sloping contours of the landscaped grounds - allows French doors to open directly from the sitting room into the garden, and a pathway leading to the elevated picnic terrace.

The kitchen is fitted with an extensive range of wooden cabinetry under marble worktops, with a central island and a Smeg range cooker; a separate utility room lies just beyond. A study with fitted desks is set to one end of the sitting room, together with a useful first floor cloakroom.

Also accessed from the ground floor hall - and by way of a secondary staircase from the main living space - is the Long Room, a further spacious and versatile reception room with glazed doors opening to a paved terrace, ideal for entertaining. This part of the house is served by its own kitchen facilities, and leads in turn to two additional bedrooms and two bathrooms, offering excellent potential for guest accommodation, multi-generational living, or as a self-contained annexe.

Outside, the property is approached via a five-bar gate opening to a gravelled driveway leading up to the house. A detached brick outbuilding provides a four-bay garage (with electronically operated doors), a spacious home office and a substantial store barn. There is secondary gated access further up the access lane, together with space for parking, screened from the house.

The gardens and grounds are beautifully maintained and predominantly laid to lawn, framed by mature trees, shrubs and well-stocked herbaceous borders. A pathway leads up from the first floor living room to an elevated terrace, a superb spot for outdoor dining and entertaining while enjoying the open outlook. Just under an acre in all.