Houghton House is an exceptional Grade II listed
Georgian property, dating back to the 1600’s. Being primarily Georgian in feel and proportion with large rooms and sash windows, it was sympathetically extended in the 19th Century and again in the 20th Century, when Anita Roddick owned the house and built a dreamy ‘out of Africa’ style garden room with a veranda. The house has been fully modernised.

The ground floor comprises a spacious kitchen with hand-built units under granite surfaces. A long central island makes a perfect informal dining area, while a large inglenook with wood burning stove makes this the ‘heart of the house’. There is a second kitchen/utility room with an Aga, steel butler sinks, a cloakroom and a gardener’s entrance. The panelled dining room, believed to be the oldest room in the house, is across the hall, while further along is the formal sitting room with French windows opening onto the Provençal-styled flagstone and brick courtyard. There is a panelled study/snug with a domed ceiling, a storage room and a guest cloakroom. The large cellar can be accessed from the hall or from a trap door between the kitchens, designed for wine deliveries.

The original turned staircase with a soaring arched casement window leads to the first floor with four spacious bedrooms, three en-suite, plus an additional guest bathroom in marble and natural stone. The master bedroom’s en-suite bathroom has a shower room and dressing room with a freestanding brass tub overlooking the gardens. The glorious garden room can be accessed from the master bedroom or from the second staircase, and is built in wood, brick and flint with floor to ceiling arched windows and sliding glass doors onto the decked veranda, facing the cherry glade, mature shrubs and the rose garden.

The second floor has three further double bedrooms, and a large bathroom. Two of these bedrooms offer mesmerising garden views. This floor could also be used a self-contained flat as it can be accessed by the secondary staircase.

Houghton House occupies a commanding position in the village of Houghton, located in the picturesque South Downs National Park, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The house and gardens overlook the Arun valley, with sweeping countryside views. Houghton features two highly rated pubs, the George and Dragon, once visited by King Charles II, and The Bridge Inn at Houghton Bridge. Amberley Station, with its direct line to London Victoria, is less than a mile away. Cycling, walking and hiking can be enjoyed directly from the house, including a lovely river walk to Arundel.

Arundel is a charming market town, rated as one of the happiest in England, with thriving art galleries, antique shops and excellent restaurants. Its famous castle, seat of the Howards for nearly 1,000 years, is a unique landmark, as is the Gothic Revival Cathedral, which sits majestically overlooking the town.

Houghton is eight miles from the sea, while the cathedral city of Chichester with its bustling harbour, shopping and cultural sites is a 15-minute drive away. The glorious Goodwood Estate is easily accessible for horse racing, the Revival and Festival of Speed and the area is increasingly well-known for its award-winning vineyards.

The enchanting grounds offer a variety of al fresco experiences; the courtyard, with a large bespoke fountain and two raised dining areas, has steps leading up to the rose garden beneath a towering horse chestnut. These beds change with the season with crocuses, tulips and grape hyacinths denoting spring, followed by poppies and then scented roses that flower until Christmas. Continuing up and over a terrace fringed by crab apple trees, you reach the top field with its incredible views over the Arun Valley. There is a tennis court, a secret garden, three ponds, a wooded bluebell glade, a pristine herb garden flanked by banana trees and mature vines, plus a row of old apple and pear trees.

Of particular note is the medieval barn across the courtyard. It has an extraordinary legacy, having been the studio of Arthur Rackham, recognised as the leading figure of British Book illustration during its Golden Age. It was also the studio of Jose Weiss, a landscape painter and inventor, who designed the first glider while living at Houghton House at the turn of the 20th Century. Today the barn is again used as an artist’s studio and gallery, with a mezzanine level office.

The large driveway can park several cars plus there is a garage/storeroom and a gardener’s tool store.

Please note: The property is attached on the north
east corner of the building. Please see site plan
within the brochure.