6 bedroom house for sale

An impressive unlisted country house with an additional attached cottage set in glorious grounds with outstanding southerly views.

Description

On the market for the first time since 1980, Bassetts is an intriguing and much admired property on the rural fringe of the popular village of Wadhurst, in a superb elevated position with wonderful views and delightful grounds of about 24 acres.

Styled with a nod to the 19th century 'Arts and Crafts' influence, Bassetts has existed for several centuries. It became a prominent country estate in the 1920s when banker and MCC cricketer Captain Alexander Drummond and his actress wife, Pauline Chase (J.M Barrie’s favourite actress for the role of Peter Pan, to which there are references around the house) invested significantly in extending, remodelling and landscaping the beautiful gardens. Bassetts is the principal house of the former estate and is two thirds of a mile from the road at the end of its own private lane.

This special home in the High Weald AONB is unlisted and offers a balance of grandeur and practical family living. It is ideally positioned in its own extensive, peaceful gardens with countryside views. The well presented and adaptable accommodation is arranged over three floors, with an impressive indoor pool complex below and an adjoining self-contained cottage providing flexible secondary living space or a rental income.

There are many lovely features throughout, including leaded light windows, oak floors in the principal rooms, intricate decorative ceiling cornicing and an impressive wide feature fireplace in the sitting room (and large fireplaces elsewhere), a characterful oak panelled study and even the original bell system.

The kitchen is open plan with its own large dining area with inglenook fireplace and doors to the garden. There is a large utility room with copious cupboard space, and direct indoor access to the pool complex on the lower level. There is an elegant dining room with another impressive fireplace and large windows looking onto the garden.

On the first floor, the principal bedroom has a barrelled ceiling with windows including a large bay looking over the gardens into woodland and across the valley to the South. There is a modern, large bathroom with walk-in shower.

The guest suite - again with barrelled ceiling - includes a separate living area for guests, which has the potential to be converted easily into a further bedroom if required. There are a further 3 charming, good-sized bedrooms on the first floor, with two further bath/shower rooms and a smaller attic room.

On the lower level, accessed directly from the house, there is an impressive large pool complex, including a 10.4m (34’) pool, jacuzzi and private external terracing overlooking the surrounding countryside and grounds.

BASSETTS COTTAGE
The adjoining cottage provides excellent flexible secondary accommodation with a kitchen, sitting room, three bedrooms and a bathroom. It has its own private entrances and can also be accessed via an internal connecting door from the main house.

The cottage enjoys extensive views over the countryside from the kitchen, living room and two bedrooms. It has its own parking area and patio accessed directly from the living room. The Cottage has vehicular access separate from the main house. The Cottage provides flexible accommodation which can be self-contained and is therefore a source of rental income or can be partly or wholly connected to the main house.

OUTSIDE
The impressive approach to the estate is along a long private lane (about 2/3 mile/1 Km) with access to Bassetts via an archway under a pretty clock tower through to an impressive, large private circular driveway, surrounded by mature specimen shrubs. Adjoining this is garaging for three large cars. The mature, formal gardens surrounding the rear of the house are a notable feature. The gardens are peaceful with seating areas to enjoy at different times of the day, terraces, pathways, lawned areas, established borders with many colourful specimen plants, shrubs and trees including roses, acer, hydrangea and swathes of rhododendron.

An area of ancient woodland full of bluebells in the spring extends to the South and East boundaries where there is a disused tennis court. There is a pretty sheltered flagstone courtyard to the front of the house providing a cool refuge on hot days. The land below the garden to the South is mostly natural rough pasture with wild flowers, a waterfall running down to a stream via a pond with extensive planting and further ancient woodland.

Outbuildings in the grounds include a useful range of former “Hoppers huts” dating back to the hop-picking days of the former estate and providing scope for a variety of uses, for example office or studio space, subject to any necessary planning consents. The huts have vehicular access separate from the main
house.

Location

Bassetts enjoys an enviable position, yet is conveniently located on the rural edge of the popular village of Wadhurst, within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The village (approximately 3 miles) is known for its active local community and individual shops for everyday needs, including a butcher, delicatessen, hairdressers and florist, as well as two supermarkets, including a Jempsons with a post office, a church, bookshop, doctors’ surgery, village hall, sports centre, garage, cafes, restaurants, and several local pubs.

Tunbridge Wells is the nearest large town, approximately seven miles away, with extensive high street shopping, cultural and entertainment amenities including two theatres, cafes, restaurants, health clubs, an out-of-town retail park and the historic Pantiles area. Recreational activities in the area include golf courses at Lamberhurst, Flimwell and Tunbridge Wells. Bewl Water, the largest stretch of open water in the south east is approximately 7 miles, with options including horse riding, walking and cycling trails, rowing, sailing, canoeing and fishing.

There is a tennis club and football club at Sparrows Green, as well as a wide network of public footpaths accessed from Bassetts Lane for extensive country walks.

The historic village of Mayfield is also a good option for local shopping being approximately 5.6 miles and is known for the Middle House, a popular traditional pub offering locally sourced food.

Mainline rail: Wadhurst station is approximately 3.3 miles, with regular services to Charing Cross (via London Bridge and Waterloo East) and Cannon Street from 60 minutes.

Private and state schools: Wadhurst has a good primary school and Uplands Academy at secondary level. Preparatory schools include Sacred Heart (Wadhurst), Holmewood House (Langton Green), The Mead and Rose Hill (Tunbridge Wells), Skippers Hill (Five Ashes) and St Ronans and Malborough House (Hawkhurst). Public schools include Beechwood (Tunbridge Wells), Tonbridge for boys, Mayfield for girls and co-ed options at Eastbourne and Brighton Colleges, Bedes (Upper Dicker), Kent College ( Pembury) and Sevenoaks School.

Square Footage: 8,091 sq ft


Acreage: 23.86 Acres

Directions

From our offices in Tunbridge Wells, proceed south out of town on the Frant Road (A267) for approximately 5.5 miles, passing through Frant. On entering Mark Cross, turn left onto Wadhurst Road (B2100). Proceed along this road for approximately 1.4 miles and the private road for Bassetts will be found on a slight incline on the right-hand side. Continue down to the end of this drive, under the clock tower and Bassetts will be found straight ahead.

Additional Info

Wealden District Council
Tax Bands: Bassetts - F, Bassetts Cottage - E. There is fibre installed directly to the property.

Agent's Note: External pictures were taken in October 2023.

Agents note: Please note that the cottage annexe is on a separate title to the main house.