* Guide Price £1,500,000 - £1,600,000 *

This flawless 5 bedroom detached house with off street parking and double garage is nestled in its own beautiful grounds and has been brought roaring into the 21st century by the skilled eye of its award winning architect owner. With glorious views across the protected hills of the South Downs National Park, Rottingdean’s famous Mill and even glimpses of the sea from the top, it is private but not isolated within an exclusive cul de sac in the coastal village of Rottingdean – one of only a few unspoilt downland settlements bordered by the sea. 3 minutes from the beach, picturesque High Street and a choice of good schools, it offers a once in a lifetime opportunity to live a healthy, country lifestyle just 10 minutes from Brighton and 15 from the station serving London at Lewes and inside, a faultless finish delivers a glamorous home where all four split levels enjoy picture perfect views. On the ground floor, both the design led kitchen/ diner and elegant living room open to the strikingly large child and pet friendly oasis at the back, there is a spacious study should you work from home, and ideal for a busy household, a guest cloakroom and sleek utility are tucked away. Upstairs all five quiet bedrooms enjoy a leafy vista, and the 3rd and 4th levels are ingeniously designed so they could be used as a private guest suite with a bedroom, bathroom and living room.

* Guide Price £1,500,000 - £1,600,000 *

Find your inner peace in this unique detached home tucked away in the most sought after cul de sac of this coastal village, shared by only eight other homes. Raised for uninterrupted light, no expense has been spared during a thorough 6 year refurbishment which has included the roof, electrics, plumbing, installation of high quality oak flooring in most rooms as well as extended, double glazed windows- so this is effectively a new build, and full details of the work overseen by the architect owner are available upon request.

The approach:

Outside, this immaculate house is set back behind a smart, two tone hard standing with space for three cars by the remote control garage, and a charming front garden is edged with lavender. The sheltering porch is supported by custom made oak and also commissioned for this home, a broad oak door introduces the expert level of finish and use of traditional materials in a reimagined way, as well as to the fine balance of style and practicality only an architect’s subtle skill can provide.

The entrance hall and study:

You certainly make an entrance in this light filled hallway with views to the big, sunny garden at the back. This is not, however, a sterile show home- it is an inviting refuge which brings the outside in and designed so friends and family feel welcome with shoe friendly engineered oak flooring underfoot, two big cupboards for boots and bags and a guest cloakroom tucked away. Discrete at the front of the house with calming open views over the prosperous, lower homes opposite to protected Downland, the study is both quiet and comfortable.

The kitchen diner, utility room, sun terrace and garden:

Embracing family life, friendship and views of the wonderful garden, the fabulous dual aspect kitchen diner has an east wall lined with windows and French doors opening to a granite sun terrace, raised to catch the sun and also has access to the sheltered terrace by the living room, making al fresco entertaining easy. Beautifully planned, the bespoke central island and matching table, which seats 8 in comfort, are both designed to move for flexibility of use and could stay, subject to circumstance. Safely away from the social movement, the streamlined kitchen has entertaining at its heart with ample quartz countertops and sophisticated storage solutions including pull out larders and pan drawers. High spec appliances all flow from the central touch induction and gas hob, the micro combi, fan oven and warming drawer are at eye level to prevent heavy lifting when catering for large numbers and both a tall fridge and tall freezer are to one side. No kitchen is complete without a wine rack or bar area, and this is a room for all seasons as the gleaming Porcelanosa Madagscar tiled floor conceals underfloor heat. As you would expect in a home of this quality, there is a separate utility room with underfloor heating, space for a washing machine plus drier and access to the side garden, which has a seaside influence, and gate, so wet or muddy kits can go straight into the machine.

The grounds:

A private paradise beautifully landscaped for all year interest, the garden is child and pet secure behind flint walls which feature an historic gate where a secluded terrace provides a place in which to sit and enjoy the play on the broad, deep lawn – or to retreat to for evening drinks and peaceful catchups when visitors or little ones have retired for the night. Arranged to catch the morning sun, a breakfast terrace by the kitchen is positioned so it also gets sun in the afternoon, and by the living room, a sheltered granite terrace also has power- but no lighting so you can relax and experience the starry skies of our National Park.

The living room:

Soothing and spacious, the elegant living room is a joy all year round with a ceiling high picture window framing an idyllic view of rolling Downland, the dramatic presence of the Black Rottingdean Mill and blazing sunsets. The far wall of glass folds completely open to the spacious sheltered terrace which becomes an extension of the room during summer, and an efficient GAZCO flame effect fire ensures it is warm and cosy in the winter.

2nd level: 2 family bedrooms and bathroom:

Up an oak and glass staircase, a bright landing has discreet storage. At the front, the first of the double bedrooms is simple but stylish with restful views sweeping over the quiet close to Beacon Hill, the Mill and glimpses of the sea. Also at the front, the generous single bedroom is beautifully presented and is so light and airy it is currently used as a sewing room. Opposite, the bathroom is a classic black and white – with a sparkling floor to bring a contemporary twist. There is a shower above the large Ideal Standard bath, full height chrome towel rail, shaving point and the hand basin has a mirrored cabinet above and storage below.

2nd level: the master suite:

Making the most of its serene setting, the master bedroom is a tranquil haven to return to with extra-large windows to bring in the sunshine and distant glimpses of horses enjoying the Sussex countryside. The ample floorspace has good quality carpet, the decoration is tasteful and calm, and not to be outshone, the chic en suite shower room is fully tiled with underfloor heating, twin hand basins and high end finish.

3rd and 4th level: 2 rooms and en suite shower room:

The third level landing is lined with deep cupboards and leads to the fourth double bedroom with a large south facing window bringing in gardens, and a velux window in the sloping eaves provides a sparkling sea view. By it, a door leads to a private staircase at the foot of which a surprisingly spacious bathroom has a shower fitting above the bath and touches of luxury which include a heated chrome rail for towels. Private and peaceful at the top of the house, the vaulted, fifth bedroom has light streaming in from three directions and the glorious views encompass the sea and our innovative Rampion Wind Farm, Beacon Hill Nature Reserve and The Downs.

Agent says:

“One of the few south coast villages directly on the sea and surrounded by the protected downland of the South Downs National Park, Rottingdean attracts national and international buyers wanting fresh air and a healthy lifestyle within easy reach of Brighton, Lewes, London or Gatwick as well as good schools and privacy for their children. Homes in this small, exclusive close do not come on the market often and sell fast as it is in a prime location with easy access to the famous Kipling gardens and village pond, and amenities of the picturesque High Street.”

Owner’s secret:

“As well as the beautiful surroundings with direct access to the South Downs Way 300 yards away, we and the children have enjoyed the freedom of privacy whilst within a stroll of Rottingdean’s friendly community and its famous beaches. There are always local activities on offer – and friends love to come and stay and always say they feel like they’ve been on holiday! The house is ideal for entertaining either inside or out and everything we need – schools, restaurants, stations, sailing club, stables and cinema are all within easy reach.”

What’s around you:

Shops: Rottingdean High Street 3 minute drive, 10 to walk

Station: Lewes and Brighton Stations 20-25 minute drive

Seafront or park: South Downs Way 300 yards, seafront 12 minutes

Closest Schools:

Primary: St Margaret’s C of E, Our Lady of Lourdes RC

Secondary: Longhill

Private: Roedean, Brighton College, The Old Grammar School Lewes, Bede’s

The coastal village of Rottingdean, founded by Rota 1200 years ago and once home to Rudyard Kipling and pre-Raphaelite painter Burn Jones, is popular with families and professionals as it has good schools and plenty of local shops, cafes and restaurants to explore. For those who love the great outdoors, as well as the protected 628,2 square miles of the South Downs National Park and green flag beaches on the doorstep, you can cycle along the pedestrian undercliff walk to the yacht club (and cinemas and waterfront restaurants) of Brighton Marina in 20 minutes. About a 15 minute drive to Brighton and Hove’s international city centre bus routes – with bus lanes- along the coast and to the universities at Falmer are fast and frequent giving older children a degree of independence and with speedy access to both the A27 and A23, Gatwick and London become a possible commute.