Attractive family home with paddock and outbuildings, in a private part-wooded rural setting.

Description

Brentleigh is set in a wonderful rural setting, in very well-enclosed and private part-wooded grounds. It is ideally situated: rural and yet not remote, being within just seven minutes’ drive of the bustling market town of Horsham and its many amenities.

Originally a much more modest house dating from the post-war period, the property was substantially extended in the mid-1990s by the current owners and further enhanced in 2004/5 with the addition of an elegant formal sitting room. The result is an excellent family house extending to nearly 2,800 square feet, the versatile layout creating a house that is both a comfortable family home and an ideal space for entertaining.

There are two reception rooms and a cloakroom lying off the entrance hall: a large triple aspect study (the original sitting room) with a tiled fireplace, and a cosy snug with a woodburner and a walk-in larder cupboard.

The wonderful kitchen and dining room has been beautifully fitted with a range of bespoke solid wood cabinetry and an Iroko-topped central island by Clive Christian, with granite worktops and a range of high-end integrated appliances including a two-oven oil-fired Aga; there is ample space for a large dining table. Lying off the kitchen is a useful utility room, a dual-aspect family room (which would also be an ideal playroom) and an elegant and superbly appointed formal sitting room, a sun-filled room with large windows and French doors opening to the garden and a stone fireplace in one corner, set with a woodburner.

There are five bedrooms on the first floor, including an excellent principal suite comprising a generous bedroom with lovely views, French doors opening to a large roof top balcony, and an en suite bathroom. The remaining four bedrooms are served by a family bathroom.

Garaging
Built in 1996, the detached garaging comprises a tandem double garage with power connected, electronically-operated up and over door, fitted workbench and rafter storage, and an adjoining double carport.

Barn
Situated in the paddock and with a large area of hardstanding ahead of it, the 40’ x 30’ steel barn was built in 2006 to a high standard, with sliding double doors, a solid concrete floor and multiple power points.

Stabling
The timber stable block lies between the house and the paddock and comprises three 12’ x 12’ stalls, together with an open lean-to store.

Gardens and grounds
Brentleigh is set in about four and a quarter acres, roughly arranged half as formal gardens and grounds surrounding the house, and half as paddock in which is sited the substantial steel barn. The property is a haven for wildlife, private and very well-enclosed by a natural screen of mature trees and hedgerows, with a meandering tree-lined stream and bluebell woodland to the south.

The house is set back from the lane behind substantial, electronically operated timber gates, which open to a sweeping beech hedge-lined driveway leading to the house and garaging; a further five-bar gate leads on to the barn, stabling and paddock beyond.

The formal gardens lie mainly to the south and east of the house, and have been attractively landscaped to create park-like grounds, dotted with woodland shrubs including rhododendron and handsome trees such as weeping willow and fir. A paved terrace spans the rear of the house, offering a sunny spot for alfresco dining.

The paddock extends away from the house to the east, divided from the formal gardens by way of post and rail fencing, with an open-sided tractor shed and a small pond.

In all, about 4.26 acres.

Location

Plummers Plain is a semi-rural hamlet situated in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Plummers Plain offers a public house and ready access to miles of countryside walks on the doorstep. It lies almost equidistant between the village of Handcross and the market town of Horsham, which provides a comprehensive range of shops, schools, restaurants and recreational facilities.

There are many leisure activities available locally, including local clubs for football, rugby, cricket and theatre; across Sussex, activities include show jumping at Hickstead, sailing at Ardingly and golf at Mannings Heath or at one of the many other courses across the county. Spa and country house hotels in the vicinity include Alexander House and South Lodge.

Sussex offers a vibrant cultural scene, with world-class opera at Glyndebourne, and the annual Brighton Festival presenting a huge programme of theatre, dance, classical music and literary events.

Mainline Rail Service: Horsham to London Victoria (from 53 minutes). Three Bridges to London Bridge/Victoria (from 35 minutes).

Schools: There are many highly regarded schools in the area, both state and private, including Holy Trinity C of E School in Lower Beeding, Millais School, The Forest School, Cottesmore, Handcross Park, Copthorne, Charterhouse, Worth, Hurstpierpoint College, Ardingly College, Burgess Hill Girls and Brighton College.

The M25 motorway can be accessed via the A23 at Handcross, linking to other motorway networks, Gatwick and Heathrow airports and the coast.

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

Square Footage: 2,768 sq ft


Acreage: 4.26 Acres

Additional Info

Services: Oil fired central heating. LPG for the hob. Mains electricity and water. Private drainage.

Outgoings: Horsham District Council,[use Contact Agent Button]. Tax band F.