Property description
An elegant country house with fabulous ancillary accommodation, idyllically located in breath-taking East Sussex countryside. Set in approximately 10 acres, this simply beautiful 6 bedroom house enjoys an elevated position with stunning panoramic, west-facing views.
DESCRIPTION
Set in the heart of the East Sussex countryside amid an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, lies Kestrels, a truly handsome 16th century Grade II Listed country house. With an enviable, elevated position Kestrels has an unrivalled panoramic views, and the sense of peace, freedom and seclusion that the property affords truly sets it apart. The 10 acres of land that surround Kestrels include landscaped gardens, paddocks, stabling and woodland, bounded by a stream with rolling countryside beyond.The house itself, presented in first class decorative condition and with many of its period features retained, provides the most wonderful vistas from every window. The detached, self-contained 'Barn Studios', situated to the north east of the main house, have been cleverly designed to capitalise on this property's fabulous setting and provide excellent versatile ancillary accommodation. The substantial outbuildings include an oak-framed garage block and workshop. All in all, the simply breath-taking views and tranquility that Kestrels provides, along with its excellent, adaptable accommodation, make it an absolute find.
THE COUNTRY HOUSE: GROUND FLOOR
The entrance porch opens into the elegant, welcoming entrance hall with its exposed beams, wood-burning stove and solid light oak parquet flooring. The double aspect kitchen/breakfast room is fitted with bespoke oak cupboards and granite worktops, an oil fired double oven Aga and has direct access to the large south-facing terrace, organic herb garden and wonderfully maintained gardens. The tasteful drawing room features a Jetmaster fireplace, with French doors opening to another terrace with breathtaking views over the valley and surrounding countryside. The charming sitting room has an inglenook fireplace, and a separate study. The utility room leads to a courtyard with access to the various outbuildings. All in all, the ground floor of this impressive country home offers spacious, beautifully presented living accommodation throughout.
UPPER FLOORS
The contemporary master bedroom has far reaching views over rolling hills and includes a substantial dressing room with an excellent range of wardrobes, and a well-appointed en suite with a roll top bath and power shower. With another large bedroom with its own en suite and two further double bedrooms and the family bathroom, the first floor offers generous and flexible accommodation. On the second floor, there are two additional bedrooms with exposed beams and a dormer window with superb views over the Rother Valley. The second floor also offers access to the extensive loft storage space.
THE BARN STUDIOS
A substantial detached building lying to the north east of the main house, The Barn Studios have been converted from the former barn to create accommodation of the highest standard, and are currently configured as two separate, naturally light, self-contained units. Studio One has an open plan sitting and dining room with kitchen area and glazed doors to the veranda, a separate bedroom, a bathroom, and an additional useful space on the mezzanine level. Studio Two has an open plan living area with wood-burning stove, two further rooms, a shower room, glazed doors to the veranda and also includes a mezzanine area which could serve as an additional bedroom or study.
OUTSIDE
The approach to Kestrels is down a long, private driveway, surrounded by farmland, which sweeps round to the generous parking area with spectacular views towards Broad Oak, Mayfield and Wadhurst Park. The house is surrounded by expanses of lawn, with well established flower beds and an abundance of evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs. The spacious York stone terraces to the south and west of the house provide excellent outdoor entertaining space, with an archway and stone steps leading down to a beautiful rose garden and orchard, planted with a variety of plentiful fruit trees. Having been managed ecologically under the Countryside Stewardship Scheme, the land is a haven for nature and has an abundance of birds, other wildlife, spring bulbs and wild flowers. The extensive outbuildings comprise an oak-framed detached garage with parking for three cars, a large, versatile work space currently used as workshop, two store rooms and WC. Further outbuildings include a white weather-boarded larder store, a log store, an oil tank and recycling area, a garden shed and a greenhouse. The property also offers an enclosed stable yard, with an open bay double horse shelter, a hay store and store room, all fully connected to mains electricity and water.
THE AREA
Burwash village is under 3 miles away and has a range of amenities including a general store, Post Office, doctor's surgery and several public houses. The villages of Wadhurst, Heathfield and Ticehurst, offering further every day facilities, are all within 5 miles and the vibrant spa town of Tunbridge Wells with its excellent commercial and leisure facilities can be reached within a 30 minute car drive or just 15 minutes on the train. The impressive, award-winning Bluewater Shopping Centre is within an hour's drive and if you want to escape to the seaside, then that can be reached via a pretty 30 minute drive. There are also plenty of excellent recreational facilities close at hand, including first class golf courses at nearby Hawkhurst and Dale Hill. A range of beautiful walks and bridlepaths surround the property.
TRANSPORT LINKS
Stonegate (1.8 miles) and Wadhurst (4.5 miles) both provide fast and frequent commuter services to central London, with connecting trains to Gatwick Airport from London Bridge. Ashford International can be reached within 60 minutes, with high speed services to London and the Continent and the Channel Tunnel is approximately an hour's drive from the property. The A21, offering quick and easy access to the M25 and the UK's extensive motorway network, is just 7 miles distance.
EDUCATION
The property is within easy reach of the many excellent primary and secondary schools in the locality. Within the state sector, there are primary schools at Stonegate, Etchingham, Wadhurst, and Ticehurst and at secondary level in Heathfield, Robertsbridge and Wadhurst.Within the independent sector, Bricklehurst Manor, St Bedes, Vinehall, Claremont, Marlborough House, St Ronans, Skippers Hill, St Leonards at Mayfield, Cranbrook, Benenden and Battle Abbey are all excellent schooling options and easily accessible.
Property Features :
- Kitchen/breakfast room, three further reception rooms and separate study
- Master bedroom with ensuite bathroom and dressing room
- Five further double bedrooms and two bathrooms
- Barn Studios offering extremely well-presented, extensive ancillary accommodation
- Beautiful landscaped gardens and terraces with breathtaking views
Property Info: