* 360 Walkthrough available on request*

A jewel in Shoreham’s coastal crown, The Old Shoreham Farmhouse is a seven bedroom Georgian dream set in its own glorious grounds 2 minutes from the famous river walks and ancient church of St Nicholas, 3 minutes from the vibrant shopping, bars and restaurants of the High Street, 7 from the City Airport and just 15 minutes from Brighton & Hove. Thought to date from early to mid-18th century, this flint knapped, bay fronted beauty on a quiet lane has a rare special balance with seven generous bedrooms - the master en suite- and three comfortable receptions plus a fabulous kitchen diner. Flowing out to walled, mature gardens which wrap around the house to culminate in a south facing paradise which you can admire all year from the vaulted conservatory, planning has been approved to create a home office in the long outhouse, and although each side of the house has access to the gardens, an extra pair of French doors from the informal dining area. Local schools within a 7 minute radius are good and the station serving Gatwick and London is a four minute drive, so this Grade II listed architectural treasure will suit families, those who are thinking of working from home and professionals who may be interested in generating an income.

Grade II listed Georgian farmhouse
Bedrooms: 7 double
Living rooms: 3 + kitchen diner
Bathrooms: 3 – 1 en suite
Area: 4000 sq.ft
Outside: Gardens wrap to South
Parking: Free
Location: Shoreham by Sea

Why you’ll like it:
A comfortable family home since the 1700’s and originally a farmhouse, this house has been sensitively extended and improved over time whilst keeping the restful proportions and original features which include working fireplaces- and the heights of Elma, Hugh and Mabel in December 1875. Approached through a gated garden, the front of the house has a soothing symmetry and inside you can spread your wings in beautifully balanced rooms with graceful Georgian style, although there is nothing old fashioned about the underfloor heating concealed beneath the traditional Travetine floor.

The reception

Classically beautiful and stretching almost the full depth of this historic house, the formal reception has a deep west bay window with a seat where you can enjoy the abundance of the front garden to the full. At the far end of the room a large window looks over the side path and opposite, a unique leaded window brings in coloured light from the hall. Dark oak gleams underfoot, a sturdy beam is overhead and in winter, your guests will enjoy a roaring fire framed by an original carved surround.

The study and conservatory

Quiet with handmade cabinets along one wall, the study is a tranquil place in which to work with plenty of floorspace to share and large bay bringing in the afternoon sunshine. Designer wallpaper and a handsome fireplace combine to create a timeless elegance and a discreet door leads into a magnificent vaulted conservatory.
Semi circular in design to embrace the glory of the garden and to invite company, the conservatory is a delight from the Italian tiles on the floor to the stain glass surrounding the arched windows. A flower bed encircles the central iron column and there is ample room for entertaining with a door to the south grounds for parties.

The family room

South facing for the sun – and leafy garden to which there is a French door- this is a family friendly, sunny room lined with windows. Light and airy during summer, in winter it transforms into a welcoming haven to return to with space for sofas in front of the original fireplace, which now has an easy to light gas fire within it.

The kitchen diner, utility room and cellar

Sensitive heritage design at its most impressive, this portion of the house is found beyond an inner lobby with the ‘back’ door for the family, a skylight and floor to ceiling cupboards for coats, bags and boots. Formerly two outbuildings with a yard between (one is believed to have been the dairy of the farm), these twin vaulted spaces have been joined and quite rightly, it is the kitchen that fills the heart of this bright, sociable room which opens to the sheltered east garden. Custom made units are painted oak and topped by gleaming granite, and the space flows around a companiable, central island with a bar and integrated wine cooler. The Falcon multi fuel range could stay subject to circumstance, the Neff microwave and dishwasher are both integrated for you and tucked away to one side, the utility room has plenty of space and storage of its own as well as plumbing for machines and a stable door to the side path so sports kits can go straight into the wash.

Beneath the vaulted ceiling and with a window looking over the garden (which has planning to become French doors), the dining area is an ideal spot for homework to be completed as you cook or for informal meals with friends and family - and this is also a relaxed room for all seasons with a wood burning stove.

On a practical note, hidden away at the foot of the staircase in the main hall a brick based cellar with a window is tall enough to stand in and ensures that the whole of this family house remains clutter free.

The grounds

Paradise found; the mature gardens wrap around the house with a front garden planted for privacy as well as all year interest. To one side of the house a secure path leads to the ‘back’ door and east garden. Beautifully landscaped to create different rooms to explore, a brick path leads from the kitchen to a secluded dining terrace shaded by an enormous fig tree and scented by a rose garden. Wending past imaginative beds where the talents of its current, florist owner are evident, there is also a separate, private seating area at the far end.

Through an arch adorned by twin lilacs, the south garden is child and pet friendly, made secure by walls and hedges with a large lawn for games. A pond with lilies and a fountain has a decked area for dining and running along the far wall by the gate for bikes, the covered outhouse is perfect for parties at any time of year and has permission in place to become a fabulous home office.

The first floor family bedrooms and bathroom

In the quiet north wing of the house, two generous family bedrooms each have pretty period features and great charm of their own, and it is in the front bedroom that you will find the children’s heights written on the wardrobe to the side of the fireplace. At the end of the arched hallway, the spacious bathroom seamlessly blends old with new with high end shower fittings, marble topped cabinet housing a hand basin and heated towel rail in traditional style in keeping with the age of the property.

The master suite

Private and peaceful, the master suite is a serene sanctuary embracing the past whilst enjoying a 21st century luxury finish. Spanning the full depth of the listed farmhouse this sympathetic reinvention of the south wing’s first floor has a calmly decorated bedroom with a gracious fireplace and plenty of floorspace even with a large double bed in it. Ingenious central doors fold open to reveal a dressing room with all the handmade mirrored wardrobes you could dream of, and you will bathe in glory in a broad and deep iron bath. Discreetly tucked away, there is a separate walk in shower and w.c with a central hand basin wide enough to share.

Four second floor bedrooms and shower room

Simple, stylish and with great character of their own, all four bedrooms are big, bright and restful-and none are overlooked. With under eave storage in the front rooms, they all have plentiful space and natural light, and at the far end of the long landing, the contemporary shower room is right on trend with a roof light, dual head shower, shaving/toothbrush point and heated rail for towels and pyjamas.

Agent says:
“An historic farmhouse so close to the sea is a rare find, and this beautiful home has only been on the market twice in 40 years. Perfect as it is, with planning in place it still offers options and there are photographs of it as a working farm in the book “Shoreham Village and Farms.”

Owner says:
“We first saw the farmhouse after a river walk when we had just met, and city born and bred, I laughingly agreed to move to the coast if we could live in it. Years later, we spotted an advert whilst staying with friends …. We have been here ever since. The house is lovely to live in and has adapted to our changing needs as our family grew, and we have loved the gardens. We knew it was close to the river, the high street and the sea but it is also in a good school catchment area, in a quiet friendly lane and close to a park full of local families.”

Where it is:
Shops: Tesco Express 2 minutes, High Street 3
Train Station: Shoreham 4 to drive, 15-20 to walk
Seafront or Park: River 2 minues walk, Sea & Park 4-5 minute drive
Closest Schools:
Primary: Buckingham Park Primary
Secondary: Shoreham Academy
Private: Lancing College, Brighton College

Shoreham is bordered by beaches with a high street which has a vibrant mix of cafés, shops, restaurants and amenities, including the Ropetackle Arts Centre. Local schools are good and one of the best private schools in the county, Lancing College, is a 7 minute drive – or 20 by bus. Within minutes of the international shopping, restaurants, cinemas and theatres of Brighton & Hove, this beautiful property is convenient for Southlands Hospital and the City Airport, although so close to river walks you would never know it. The station with its fast links to Gatwick and London is a short drive and the A27/A283 are also easy to reach if you commute by car.