Stoughton, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18

Wildham House was built in 1897 for William James of the West Dean Estate. Wildham House has been completely refurbished by the present owners some five years ago and presents a wonderful opportunity to acquire a beautifully appointed house in one of the most unspoilt parts of the South Downs National Park yet within easy reach of Chichester, Petersfield, the coast, rail and road links to London.

The part panelled entrance has an encaustic tiled floor, there are two good reception rooms including a part panelled drawing room with a marble fireplace, a new wood burning stove, and display alcoves. The focus of everyday family living is the spacious kitchen/dining/family room of nearly 30 ft in length with a stable door to the front garden and French doors to the partly walled terrace with steps leading up to the main garden. A beautifully appointed kitchen has polished stone worksurfaces, integrated appliances, oak topped island unit and four oven electric Aga. The adjacent dining/sitting area has a handsome fireplace with exposed brick chimney breast and new wood burning stove. Off the kitchen, there is a sitting room with full height fitted bookcase and cupboards including a recess for a large flat screen television. There is also a practical cloak/boot room which is of a good size with tongue-and-groove panelling and provides plenty of space for the storage of coats, boots etc.

On the first floor there is a split-level landing. Off the lower landing is bedroom five, with French doors opening onto a covered sitting area and the gardens beyond. Off the upper landing are four double bedrooms and two well-appointed bathrooms both with roll-top baths on claw feet and one with additional shower cabinet.

The property is approached from the north east by way of a long driveway which also provides access to the Beech Wood and paddocks. Through double gates, a Cotswold stone drive leads to the detached double garage which has additional car parking to the front, two automatic opening doors and storeroom/workshop. A sheltered terrace leads to the front door and original well and provides access to a range of brick and flint outbuildings which include an annexe/home office with wet room providing an additional guest suite when required. There is an adjoining larder store and a laundry room with butlers sink, plumbing for washing machine, space for dryer and ample storage. From the terrace there are steps to the side and rear gardens. To the south east of the house a beautifully stocked herbaceous border which has a colourful variety of traditional English cottage garden plants and roses with a semi-circular lawn sheltered by silver birch, weeping pear and tulip trees. Gently inclined gardens, which can only be described as a 'plantsmans' garden, rise to the west planted with many specimen trees, roses, shrubs and peonies, designed to provide colour and interest all year round. At the top of the garden there is a secluded and hidden swimming pool heated by an air source heat pump. The pool is surrounded by a low retaining wall, fencing and wild flower borders. It has a paved terrace from which there are superb views to the neighbouring farmland and countryside beyond. The ancient Beech wood lies to the north west. These are well managed and provide a ready supply of firewood each year. There is a garden machinery store, log store and bike shed for two bicycles. A footpath runs through the length of the woods to a second enclosed paddock which is carpeted with wild flowers in the spring. At the top of the paddock a gate leads directly onto the bridle path. Between the woods and Wildham Lane is a large paddock of about 3.72 acres with a double field shelter and direct access to the lane, driveway and nearby bridle path with gives access to miles of walking/riding and cycling countryside unimpeded by public highways. The entire property has been fenced, the majority of which is stock proof fencing.

Wildham House lies midway between East Marden and Stoughton which is one of the prettiest downland villages situated at the heart of the South Downs National Park. It is surrounded by Inholmes Wood, opposite Wildham Woods, Stoughton Down, Lambsdown Hill and within easy reach of Kingley Vale. Despite its idyllic rural setting, the house is not isolated and lies within easy reach of Chichester and Petersfield both of which have good rail links to London Victoria or Waterloo and Gatwick airport. Petersfield also has access onto the A3 to Portsmouth, Guildford, the M25 orbital motorway and London.

Stoughton village has a Saxon church believed to date from around 1050 which is the largest church in the Octagon Parish, the Hare and Hounds pub and there are local shops and garages at both Westbourne and Lavant.

More comprehensive facilities are available in Chichester and Petersfield which both provide a good range of shops and restaurants. Chichester has a magnificent 12th century cathedral, Festival Theatre which is one of the UK's flagship producing and touring theatres and the famous Pallant House Gallery. The area is well-served with an excellent range of schools, both private and state, for all age groups including Compton and Up Marden C of E School, Ditcham Park School, Chichester High School, Prebendal, Churchers College, Bedales, Westbourne House and Seaford College.

Sporting and recreational activities in the area are numerous. The surrounding South Downs countryside provides many opportunities for walking, riding and mountain biking. To the south the waters of The Solent and Chichester Harbour are very popular with sailors and provide some of the best sailing facilities within convenient travelling distance of London. The beaches along the south coast, in particular the Witterings, attract bathers, windsurfers and those interested in surfing and land boarding. Goodwood is described as 'Englands greatest sporting estate', internationally known for its flagship events including horse racing (the Qatar Festival), historic motor sport events including the Members Meeting, Festival of Speed and the Revival. It has an airfield, 18 hole golf course, hotel, spa and health club and a new arts centre. Polo at Cowdray Park, Midhurst, fishing on the Leconfield Estate and there are a number of game and clay shoots in the area.