Grade II listed country house with outstanding gardens and grounds

Description

Old Keysford Hall is an impressive partially attached house, arranged over three floors and believed to date from 1701. Its rear elevation features some exposed timbers and plaster infill; the front elevation is of particular note, with red brick to the ground floor and fish scale tile hanging on the first floor, under a Horsham stone tiled roof.

The property is beautifully presented, with a wealth of period features and light, stylish decor counterpointed by heavy oak.

The rooms have generous proportions and excellent ceiling heights throughout, offering spacious and comfortable accommodation, well-suited to both entertaining on a grand scale and to family life.

The glazed wood framed front door opens to the reception hall, a magnificent entrance which sets the scene for the house. The reception rooms lie to either side and both have large windows to the east, giving plenty of natural light and framing the views across the gardens.

The sitting room was once the kitchen, and the original meat hooks and bread oven remain in situ. The inglenook fireplace creates a striking focal point, and is set with a wood burning stove.

The triple aspect, wood panelled dining room has a large working fireplace with a brick hearth, stone mantelpiece and wood surround.

The kitchen/breakfast room is at the rear, and is well-equipped with painted bespoke wooden cabinets under granite work tops with a breakfast bar, a two oven Aga, NEFF conventional oven and a Miele induction hob. An archway leads to the utility area, which has space for the usual appliances and a door to the rear access.

A passage way which leads back to the sitting room houses access to both a cloakroom and a large cellar.

On the first floor are four bedrooms, one of which is currently used as a study. The main bedroom occupies the southern end of this floor, and has two large walk in wardrobes with windows, either side of the chimney breast.

There are two further bedrooms at the northern end, one of which has a basin fitted and, alongside the adjoining guest bedroom, could offer scope to create en suite facilities, subject to the necessary consents. This floor is served by a bathroom with shower cubicle and bath.

On the second floor are two sizeable bedrooms, a large dressing room/playroom, a further bathroom with walk-in shower and bath, and plenty of storage.

Gardens and grounds
The fully enclosed garden creates a wonderful setting at the front of the house, with brick pathways, espaliered trees, well-stocked beds and rolling lawns. It has been cleverly landscaped to enable use throughout the day; a pergola provides shade for seating, and a raised mound captures the last rays in summer. The centrepiece is a formal pond with stone rills and a paved surround, beyond which is a more natural area.

This natural area includes a wild pond, wooden bridge, Victorian rockery and a variety of plants and trees. There are two timber sheds for garden storage, one of which is accessed via the utility room at the rear of the house. The grounds extend to about an acre in all.

Old Keysford Hall enjoys right of access over the driveway from Treemans Road. Its garage lies across the drive, to the north of the house.

Location

Old Keysford Hall is situated on the semi-rural outskirts of Horsted Keynes, a delightful village in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The village is popular for its picturesque village green, thriving community, and its proximity to Haywards Heath’s railway station.

Local amenities include two village halls, a village shop, a primary school, a Church and two public houses.

Comprehensive shopping is available at Haywards Heath (5 miles), Tunbridge Wells (17 miles) or Brighton (21 miles).

There are many leisure activities available in the area including riding on Ashdown Forest, for which a permit is required, sailing at Ardingly and golf across the county.

Within the village itself, the tennis and cricket clubs are very popular. There is also a thriving French 'twinning' society.

There is a vibrant cultural and arts scene in Sussex, with world-class opera at Glyndebourne, theatre at Royal Tunbridge Wells and the annual Brighton Festival presenting a huge programme of theatre, dance, classical music and literary events. Spa and country house hotels include Ockenden Manor, Alexander House, Ashdown Park, Gravetye Manor and South Lodge.

Haywards Heath mainline station is about five miles distant (c.13 minutes by car) and offers frequent rail services to London Bridge/Victoria from 42 minutes. Gatwick airport is around 17 miles drive or c.10 minutes on the train from Haywards Heath.

Schools: There are many highly regarded schools in the area, both state and private, including St. Giles primary school in the village, Cumnor House in Danehill, Great Walstead near Lindfield and Ardingly College.

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

Square Footage: 4,168 sq ft


Acreage: 0.96 Acres

Additional Info

Services: Oil fired central heating. Mains electricity and water, shared private drainage.

Outgoings: Mid Sussex District Council,[use Contact Agent Button]. Council tax band G.

Photographs taken: March 2023.