GUIDE PRICE: £1,750,000--£1,850,000.

INTERNAL VIEWINGS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST.

CHAIN FREE.

The first time on the market for many years, this majestic 5 bedroom detached house on a corner plot with two double garages, carriage driveway and an annexe has an astounding 4429sq ft in which to spread your wings and an unusually large west facing garden, beautifully landscaped to create ‘rooms’ to explore with child and pet friendly lawns for play and a glamorous heated swimming pool. In an exclusive area opposite the countryside of Hollingbury Park with a choice of good local schools, there are glimpses of the sea from the fabulous first floor balcony and three of the bedrooms. Built for the headteacher of Varndean School which moved nearby in 1926, this architectural gem has glorious features including unique American Oak floors, panelled hallways and an Art Deco fireplace in the formal drawing/dining room. Sensitively modernised with the addition of a wood burning stove in the stunning living room, sunny conservatory and spacious kitchen diner with discrete utility at the heart of this home, upstairs all five bedrooms are bright and inviting doubles with the principle en suite. The two storey annexe celebrates a luxury lifestyle with a games room, sauna and jacuzzi, and with access to the double garage opening to the quiet cul de sac to the side, planning was granted in April 2016 (believed to be lapsed) to create a two bedroom dwelling 5 minutes from the city centre and 10 from the sea.

In brief:
Style Detached period house circa 1920/30’s
Type 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms + cloakroom, 2 receptions, kitchen diner, conservatory, utility, annexe with sauna and jacuzzi
Area Surrenden
Floor Area 4429sq.ft
Outside Space Large grounds wrapping from front and back, heated pool, summer house
Parking 2 double garages, carriage driveway

Why you’ll like it:
This very private Arts & Crafts home has open, leafy views from all the rooms and inside, you will experience subtle luxury with discreet contemporary touches in keeping with its historic essence - the generous windows are now double glazed for example, and irreplaceable craftsmanship has been retained in the magnificent front porch, wood panelled entrance hall, oak staircase and beautiful but family friendly American Oak floors.

The entrance hall:

Through a light filled porch, you certainly make an entrance in an impressive, wood panelled hallway designed to keep the home private until callers are invited in and friends and family have free reign with the original oak underfoot, which still looks new! A large luggage drop and coat cupboard is at the foot of the staircase and a guest cloakroom is carefully tucked away.

The reception, conservatory and formal dining room:

Beautifully proportioned, the spacious reception has an oak floor and stretches the full depth of the period building so there is plenty of space in which to unwind or to enjoy with friends. A home for all seasons, the broad bay frames the front garden and parkland opposite and the limestone fireplace houses an iron Burley wood burner/chestnut roaster/crumpet toaster and kettle coaster. Ideal for entertaining, the west wall of glass has central doors to the vaulted conservatory which opens to the glory of the garden, and the skilful, sociable design of the ground floor continues as it is also linked to the kitchen diner- at the heart of this home.
Across the hallway, the wood panelled drawing/dining room radiates charm – with a touch of headteacher gravitas. This elegant space is for dining in refined style and relaxing in comfort for coffee afterwards in front of an authentic Art Deco fireplace which now houses a gas coal effect fire. Special features include high ceilings, iron radiators and brass light fittings, and as it is not overlooked, guests can relax in complete seclusion.

The kitchen diner, utility and garden with summerhouse and pool:

With an easy flow at the heart of the home, the kitchen diner connects to both the entrance hall and the conservatory which has French doors to the dining terrace, and it is also next door to the dining room for seamless entertaining. All about a 21st century lifestyle, painted oak units provide sophisticated storage, granite surfaces gleam beneath a choice of lighting and the fabulous Falcon multi fuel steel range- a gourmets dream- could stay, subject to circumstance. An experienced cook has everything thoughtfully laid out with a full size fridge, microwave and dishwasher to hand and beneath an arch the dining area invites company for informal suppers, family breakfasts or discussions about homework as you cook the incentive to finish. With access to the garden and first double garage so sports kits can go straight into the machine, the utility room has natural light, extra storage and a back up summer oven for al fresco parties – and one of the most beautiful we have seen, this garden has been created to share.

Outside, this wholly private paradise is deftly landscaped for all year interest with different ‘rooms’ to explore. Completely child or pet secure two lawns are each large enough for ball games with a dividing brick path lined with lavender and herbs leading to a summerhouse where you can enjoy the garden at any time of year. A paved terrace by the conservatory, scented by roses, is just the spot for dining or to retreat to for evening drinks when friends or family have retired for the night. A third, sheltered lower level also has a lawn which looks over the heated, lit pool which is set within a broad crazy paving terrace with a discreet pool hut hidden away.

The first floor guest bedroom, family rooms, shower room and bathroom:

Up a stately oak staircase with lamps integrated into the newel posts, the half landing has a sunny balcony with space for a table and chairs and views across countryside to the city and the sea. On the first floor, this home really spreads its wings and the long landing has low level wood panelling to match the stairs, an airing cupboard and access to the vast attic. At the front of the house the guest bedroom is big and bright with a useful hand basin. Facing east for the morning sun, it is easy to forget that you are just minutes from the city centre with views over parkland opposite which sweep to a glimpse of the sea. At the far end of the passage, the second double bedroom has plenty of character with exposed beams, oak panelling and windows at both the front and back, and oak doors in place since the house was built conceal deep storage. Two further dual aspect double rooms are light and airy, both with garden views and one has magnificent views over the city to the English Channel. Central to this floor, a luxury bathroom is traditional in style in keeping with the age of the building and next door, a separate shower room is simple but stylish.

The master suite:
Making the most of its verdant surrounds, the master bedroom is a tranquil haven to return to with a graceful bay to bring in the sunshine and distant glimpses of the Sussex coast. The ample floorspace has good quality carpet, the decoration is tasteful and calm, and there is all the fitted storage you could dream of. Not to be outshone, the modern en suite bathroom is large enough for both a bath with a shower attachment and separate, walk in shower, and has a high end finish.

The annexe with sauna, jacuzzi and double garage:

On a corner plot, the annexe has two storeys. The ground floor is currently a games room complete with jacuzzi and a sauna whilst the lower level forms the second double garage which has its gate on the quiet cul de sac to the side. There is a choice of access through the conservatory or through the lower floor and the annex can also be reached through a covered passage to the conservatory from the front of the house. We are told that planning had been sought and granted in April 2016 to create a two bedroom dwelling, but understand that has now lapsed. TBC.

Agent says:
“Surrenden attracts families wanting a healthy lifestyle and good schools within easy reach of the city and airports. This beautiful home, which is the largest on Ditchling Road and has a beautiful garden as well as an annex raising interesting possibilities is on a road which quietens at night and is well lit with bus stops nearby giving older children a degree of independence, even on darker winter evenings.”

Owner’s Secret:
“Light and airy in the summer, it’s cosy and comfortable in winter. The ground floor is full of character and with so much space the rooms gave us flexible options as the family grew, then grew up! We have enjoyed many happy celebrations here as the house, garden and annexe are perfect for parties and having the park opposite, the playground just a stroll and local schools on the doorstep made life with children easy with the theatres restaurants and bars we enjoyed as a couple also convenient to reach.”

What’s around you:
Shops: Fiveways Village 2 minutes
Train Station: London Road & Preston Park Stations 5 minutes’ drive
Seafront or Park: Park opposite, sea about 10 by car
Closest schools:
Primary: Balfour
Secondary: Varndean, Dorothy Stringer
Private: Brighton College, Brighton & Hove High, Lancing

Ideal for those needing access to the airports and London as the station is 5 minutes by cab, Surrenden is one of our city’s favourite locations known for the expansive leafy acreage, woodland walks, sports facilities and golf club of Hollingbury Park and Fiveways Village has a friendly atmosphere and independent shops, cafés and small Co-Op. Local schools are good and within easy reach, and the 628,2 square miles National Park bordered by beaches is just a short drive– so a healthy lifestyle beckons! The vibrant arts venues, international restaurants and cosmopolitan shopping of the city are all quick to get to by bus or by cab and for those who need a car, there’s swift access to the A23/A27 – Lewes is under 15 minutes and Gatwick is about 40.