Bletchinglye Farm

Positioned towards the end of a tranquil no-through lane, at the edge of the sought-after village of Rotherfield, a handsome and evocative, Grade II Listed detached country house of great character. Displaying a wonderful wealth of period features, the house sits proudly amongst just under fifteen acres of gardens, grounds and paddocks, enjoying lovely views over its own land and beyond. Mentioned in the prestigious architectural guides by Nikolaus Pevsner and in ‘Historic Houses of Sussex’ by Viscountess Frances Wolseley, a dwelling is believed to have stood on the site since the thirteenth century with the present property dating to the fifteenth century together with a variety of later additions. With external elevations of tile hanging and red brick, under a pitched tiled roofline, internally there is a plethora of exposed oak beams and framing, leaded light casement windows – some with coloured glass inserts – oak floors and oak, timber latch doors. Ceilings are of good height and there is a marvellous Jacobean staircase rising from the dining hall to the first floor. Extending to just over four thousand square feet, accommodation is arranged over three floors together with cellars. The ground floor layout flows easily from one room to another with each of the reception rooms having a distinct character all of its own. The sitting room has a large brick inglenook fireplace with oak bressumer and roughhewn oak shelving and the drawing room has a triple aspect and slightly more elaborate ceiling beams and bressumer. The dining hall is a stunning space with a tall, vaulted ceiling, stone fireplace and a minstrel’s gallery along with a timber latch door, which opens through to the garden room enjoying a triple aspect making it an ideal space to work from home. Supported by excellent domestic offices and with a walk-in larder, the kitchen/breakfast room has under floor heating and is furnished with a variety of hand painted, solid wood wall and base units with Corian work surfaces, flagstone floor, integrated appliances and a two oven, oil fired Aga. The first floor is given over to four bedrooms and two bath/shower rooms. The principal bedroom is a stunning room with its beamed ceiling, fireplace, walk-in closet and dual aspect with an en-suite bathroom, which has under floor heating. An adjoining bedroom is currently used as a dressing room, whilst on the second floor are two further double bedrooms and a shower room.
Outside

The house is set well back from the lane and approached via a pair of electric gates, opening on to the gravelled drive, which in turn leads to a large parking and turning area in front of the detached timber outbuilding and garage. The grounds surround the house and are informally laid out with sweeping areas of well-tended lawn, tall, majestic trees, shrubs and terracing. There is some light woodland suffused with spring flowering bulbs and, accessed from the other side of the lane, an eight acre paddock with a substantial outbuilding.

Situation

Bletchinglye Lane is in a semi-rural position at the edge of Rotherfield village, which has a vibrant and engaged community with a busy village hall, local shops and public houses and a primary school. The Royal Spa town of Tunbridge Wells is about 6.8 miles away with extensive shopping facilities, artistic and entertainment venues and many varieties of bars, restaurants and cafes, whilst Crowborough is just over 4 miles with its range of local shops and nationally known supermarkets. The area is renowned for the excellent selection in schooling, in the state and private sectors, at primary and secondary levels including grammar schools in Tunbridge Wells, local village primaries, along with Mayfield and prep schools such as Holmewood House.
(All times and distances are approximate).

Additional Information

Tenure: Freehold
Services: Oil CH/HW; Mains electricity; Private drainage
Local Authority: Wealden District Council. Council Tax Band G

Marketed by: Hamptons Sales, Tunbridge Wells