An exceptional example of environmental and conservation management with significant income situated within 45 miles of central London

Description

Constantia Manor is an impressive and practical country house which has been finished to a high standard by the current owners. The farm, a specifically designed environmental and conservation management project, is very much the heart and soul of the estate, creating a diverse natural habitat and private wildlife reserve. In addition there is modern energy generation technology and a regular and attractive income stream.

CONSTANTIA MANOR
The formal approach is through impressive front gates with the drive sweeping past the lake up to a large parking area on the north side of the house with views over the land and lake beyond.

Enter the house via a large hall with views straight through to the south facing gardens at the rear of the house. There are some excellent spacious reception rooms including the drawing room, dining room and sitting room making it ideal for both family life and entertaining. The main feature on the ground floor is the large and bright open plan kitchen and breakfast room with a sitting area which opens up on to the terrace and garden beyond.

There is a large principal bedroom suite with a balcony offering far reaching views down to the wetlands and countryside beyond. This bedroom has a dressing room and 2 bathrooms. There are 6 further bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.

GARDENS AND GROUNDS
To the south of the house is a large terrace ideal for summer entertaining. This leads on to the classically designed gardens with a central rill and ponds flanked by formal lawns leading to a pavilion at the end of the garden.

THE FARM
Constantia Manor was purchased by the current owners in 2000 with the intention of creating a private nature reserve from an intensively managed piece of farmland.

Twelve acres of woodland were planted to replace much of the native woodland that had been lost over the years, which led to the return of Nightingales which continue to return to breed each year. Two kilometres of new native hedgerows and careful nurturing of the existing have provided new homes for Yellowhammers, Linnets and a wide range of resident and migrant species.

Many new wetland areas have been created for wading birds, native duck species and a host of other birds, mammals, amphibians, wildflowers, herbs and grasses. It is a habitat rich block of land making it a wonderful place to enjoy the restoration of a natural environment that has been in decline for too long. Reed fringed lakes, ponds and wet meadows are home to a wide variety of bird life including Reed Warblers, Kingfishers and the Cuckoo.

Several of the old arable fields were reseeded with wildflowers and native grasses and many more have arrived and established with five species of Orchid now seen each spring. These meadows provide rich hunting and breeding habitat to resident Barn Owls and Skylarks as well as Fallow and Roe deer. Over 140 bird species have been recorded along with a wide range of mammals including water vole and Polecat.

The reserve is largely managed with native Sussex cattle grazing in the summer months to create the best conditions for wildlife to thrive with limited cutting in some areas depending on the desired habitat type. The farm is classified as organic.

LOG CABIN AND FARM BUILDINGS
A log cabin, previously used by farm workers, has been converted for short countryside breaks and attracts many wildlife enthusiasts and those looking for some quiet time away from it all where they can walk along a range of mown paths and enjoy the highlights of the reserve. The cabin is incredibly popular and is booked for nearly all of the year via a mixture of Airbnb and RSPB advertising creating a healthy income.

The former farmyard has been converted by the current owner into income generating storage space that is let to various tenants. The buildings are set away from the main house and have a separate access from the Buckham Hill.

One of the former farm building houses the biomass boiler which heats the main house. There is also income generation from the solar panels which, along with the commercial buildings and log cabin, go some way to covering the running costs of the property.

Location

Constantia Manor sits in beautiful East Sussex countryside just to the north of the sought-after village of Isfield with its thriving community. Isfield has an historic church, popular local pub, farm shop and butchery and cricket club.

The market town of Uckfield is within easy reach and offers a wider variety of shops, services and recreational amenities. Lewes, the county town of East Sussex, is nearby. Lewes is often seen as the cultural hub of East Sussex with it’s unique brand of independence at its core.

The city of Brighton and Hove and Royal Tunbridge Wells are also easily accessible.

Sporting and Recreation

Fishing: The River Uck runs through the farm where there is double bank fishing. Most coarse fish are present and both brown and Sea Trout have been caught by the owner during the period they have lived at Constantia Manor.

Sailing: Exceptional sailing can be found along the south coast, with marinas at Brighton, Chichester Harbour and Eastbourne.

Racing: Horse racing is at nearby Plumpton, Goodwood, Brighton, Lingfield and Fontwell.

Golf: Excellent golf courses include Piltdown, Lewes, Royal Ashdown and the East Sussex National at Little Horsted.

Theatres: There are highly regarded theatres at Brighton and Chichester. The internationally renowned Glyndebourne Opera House is only about 7 miles distant.

Schooling: There are a number of sought after private schools locally including Cumnor House, Ashdown House, Brambletye, Hurstpierpoint, Lancing, Ardingly, Bedes, Roedean and Eastbourne and Brighton colleges.




Acreage: 187 Acres

Directions

POSTCODE AND WHAT3WORDS (for directions)

TN22 5XU

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