5 bedroom semi-detached house for sale

One of four spacious Grade II Listed family homes, converted from the indoor riding school on this idyllic country estate on the edge of Groombridge offering considerable further potential.

Description

Dating back to the late 19th century, Leyswood Estate was originally purchased by James W. Temple, director of the Shaw Savill shipping company, who worked closely with his cousin, architect Norman Shaw, to build an imposing country house, known as Leyswood House. The property had a succession of owners following the death of James Temple and his widow in 1919 and was later occupied by the Canadian Army. Following the Second World War, a large area of Leyswood House went into disrepair and was later demolished. It is rumoured that the bricks were used to build further ancillary properties around the estate.

1 The Old Riding School is a much loved home; well presented throughout it forms a quarter section of the vast, grade II listed, riding school conversion, tucked-away within this exceptional Victorian country estate. This setting provides a feeling of peace and seclusion, while at the same time enjoying the benefits of a distinct residential community.

Offering over 3, 500 sq ft of accommodation set across three floors provides a flexible, family-friendly layout that can be arranged to suit individual needs.

The ground floor is home to the generously proportioned reception rooms. A front to back drawing room with feature fireplace and family/dining room both overlook and open onto the terrace and garden beyond. There is a sizeable study, ideal for today's working from home needs, a light, bright, kitchen/breakfast room with view over the garden, a utility room, boot room and ground floor cloakroom.

The first floor is home to the impressive principal suite, with two fitted wardrobes and en suite bathroom. There are two further double bedrooms on this floor together with a family shower room. The second floor is home to two bedrooms, a shower room, a further room accessed by bedroom four which is currently used as an occasional bedroom/study. There is also access on this floor to useful attic storage space.

The four houses all have direct access into the impressive, communal atrium style courtyard, which has a large planted central flower bed.

Outside - There is a more formal, established west facing lawn garden with mature planting and terrace, ideal for outdoor entertaining. Notably, 1 Old Riding School has just over 1.5 acres of private land, used by our clients for fruit and vegetable growing, while collectively, The Old Riding School comprises the four homes and benefits from a communal field and tennis court too, with about 5 acres in total. There is a shared drive leading to two other houses, car parking and a double garage with an electric charging point.

Location

1 The Old Riding School is situated in a semi-rural position in the High Weald National Landscape. Set towards the end of a long, shared, tree-lined drive from Corseley Road and about 1.8 miles from the centre of Groombridge village, with an enclave of properties, extrapolated from the original Victorian country estate.

Groombridge enjoys a thriving community and local amenities include a well-regarded primary school, GP’s surgery, general store, bakery, post office, two churches and two public houses, one positioned right on the picturesque village green. Leisure facilities include a cricket ground, tennis club, bowls club and recreation ground, with children’s play area. The stunning Groombridge Place mansion in the heart of this village is now in the process of becoming one of The Pig group of hotel restaurants, which is aiming to be open in 2026.

Further amenities are available in Tunbridge Wells (about 6.3 miles to the north) or Crowborough with a choice of supermarkets including Waitrose (about 5 miles to the south).

Preparatory schools include Holmewood House (Langton Green), Rose Hill (Tunbridge Wells), Brambletye and Michael Hall Steiner Waldorf (Forest Row). Kent grammar schools in Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge, entry by academic performance in the 11-plus exam. Private Schools at Sevenoaks for boys and girls, Tonbridge for boys and Mayfield for girls, with further co-ed options going south at Bedes, Lewes, Brighton and Eastbourne.

Mainline rail: Southern Rail at Eridge,1.9 miles, with London Bridge in about 60 minutes. South East Trains at Tunbridge Wells (6.2 miles), with Charing Cross (via London Bridge and Waterloo East) and Cannon Street in under 1 hour.

Communications: M25 (junction 5) via the A21 just north of Tunbridge Wells about 17.5 miles. Gatwick airport about 21 miles via the A264. Eurotunnel at Folkestone about 50 miles.

Square Footage: 3,574 sq ft


Acreage: 1.55 Acres

Directions

TN3 9PH - From Eridge Railway Station, turn right on to Forge Road and continue until you reach Corseley Road. Turn left, and the entrance to the Leyswood Estate will be on your left. Continue past the Gate House and follow the driveway until the road forks. Keep left/straight on and the drive to The Old Riding School is clearly marked on your left.

Additional Info

Services: Mains water and electricity. Private drainage (shared sewage treatment plant), Oil central heating. Private LPG gas.

Outgoings: Wealden District Council. Tax Band G. Please be aware than an improvement indicator has been noted.

Please note, there are two elements to communal charges: -The right to use the private estate drive is currently charged at £120/annum, per vehicle, providing a sinking fund to cover periodically resurfacing the drive.- The Old Riding School comprising the four freehold properties has its own communal areas to maintain, including the central atrium, the driveways, the field, the tennis court and the communal water treatment plant, which was newly installed in 2021. There is no sinking fund in this case and so costs are met annually and will therefore vary.