East Chiltington, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7

Detached Victorian cottage at the foot of the South Downs, with superb far-reaching views.

Description

Shepherds Cottage nestles in an enviable position between Lewes and East Chiltington in the South Downs National Park. It enjoys wonderful pastoral views to the Downs to the south, and to the north over its own garden to the High Weald in the distance.

The house, formerly two farm workers’ cottages, dates from around 1825. It is characterised in the Sussex downland vernacular as part rendered and part knapped flint elevations, with red brick quoins and window dressings. It was converted into one residence in the 1950s, with various later additions including a two-storey extension to the west, a study to the east and in the garden a detached insulated artist’s studio, a workshop and a single garage. The floor plans give a comprehensive overview of the full extent and layout of the versatile accommodation, which is arranged over three floors and extends to about 2,300 square feet. Many of the rooms take full advantage of the magnificent views described above.

The front door is to the east side of the house and opens to the entrance hall, a welcoming room with feature fireplace. Off this hall to the right can be found a snug and an office and to the left the dual-aspect formal drawing room with a brick open fireplace. This in turn leads to the second bedroom with an en suite bath/shower room.

From the hall, stairs descend to the lower ground floor, with a small office, a utility room, a farmhouse style kitchen and breakfast room and a large lounge as well as a conservatory. The kitchen has a clay-tiled floor and a good range of floor and wall mounted cupboards, a two-oven Rayburn and space for additional appliances; it is served by a useful utility room/pantry. The lounge is a lovely triple aspect room, with French doors opening to the garden.

The conservatory extends across the rear of the house, with windows framing the exceptional view over the garden and the wide rural landscape beyond. A cloakroom with WC completes the lower ground floor.

Again from the hall, but now upstairs, we find bedrooms one and three, both well-proportioned with built in or fitted storage, together with a family bathroom.

Outside
Shepherds Cottage is set back from the road behind a flint wall. There is a good-sized driveway to the side of the house with space for four cars, in turn leading to the detached single garage with power connected.

Other outbuildings include a timber garden shed, a tile hung workshop and an insulated artist’s studio. Both the workshop and studio have power connected.

The garden lies to the north and west of the house. A raised brick terrace runs across the full back of the property and, at the west end, affords ample space for outside dining. Steps descend to the lawn where there is an ornamental pond and a greenhouse. The lawn to the west slopes up gently away from the house and is dotted with fruit trees.

The plot is just under half an acre.

Location

Shepherds Cottage is situated in an enviable elevated position in the South Downs National Park, at the foot of the South Downs, with wonderful views over adjoining farmland as far as the High Weald to the north. This magnificent situation combines the serenity of the countryside with the convenience of being close to amenities: Lewes is less than ten minutes drive and the vibrant coastal City of Brighton and Hove is just ten miles away.

Lewes is the County Town of East Sussex and offers a comprehensive range of high street and independent shops, restaurants, supermarkets and leisure facilities including an independent cinema.

Sussex offers excellent leisure and sporting facilities, with many opportunities for golf, walking (in particular along the South Downs Way) and equestrian pursuits, including regular meets at Plumpton Racecourse. There is a thriving cultural scene in Sussex, with world-class opera at Glyndebourne and the annual Brighton Festival presenting a huge programme of theatre, dance, music and literary events.

The nearest railway station is Cooksbridge (only two miles away) which offers a direct service to London Victoria in about one hour. Further services run from Plumpton Green, Lewes, and Haywards Heath. Gatwick airport is 30 miles away.

There are many highly regarded state and private schools in the local area, including Plumpton Primary School, Cumnor House School, Ardingly, Hurstpierpoint, Lancing and Brighton Colleges, Lewes Old Grammar School, Roedean, Chailey Secondary School, Lewes Priory and Plumpton Agricultural College.

All times and distances are approximate. Driving times have been taken from Google Maps.

Square Footage: 2,309 sq ft


Acreage: 0.45 Acres

Additional Info

Services: Oil fired central heating. Mains electricity and water. Private drainage.

Outgoings: Lewes District Council, . Tax band G.

Photographs taken: December 2023.

Cladding: This property may have cladding. The property is under six floors so any cladding may not have been tested. Purchasers should make enquiries about the external wall system of the property, if it has cladding and if it is safe or if there are interim measures in place.