Howick Farm

Character farmhouse set within about 28 acres of glorious grounds.


Description

Approached over a private ¼ mile long drive, lined with ancient oaks, Howick Farm is an impressive period farmhouse with Victorian elevations and reputedly earlier origins. It is believed that the site of Howick was settled during Saxon times circa 800 AD. There is a reference to Howick as early as the 12th century. The present farmhouse, which bears evidence of 17th century work, was extensively remodelled during the Victorian period and has later additions.

Ground floor accommodation includes a generous kitchen / breakfast room with solid fuel Rayburn, parquet flooring and bespoke wooden units.

A study, shower room and boot room all lead off from the kitchen. Further reception rooms include an elegant dining room with cedar panelled walls and a sitting room with delightful inglenook fireplace with curved heavy oak bressumer. First floor accommodation comprises five bedrooms and three bathrooms.

The house maintains its original features, benefiting from Victorian aesthetics of high ceilings, good room proportions and big windows, all of which have interesting views/vistas. This is a rare opportunity to acquire a house with the potential for further development, set in a secluded and private location, with fantastic original unspoilt character.

Externally, the gardens and grounds are a particular feature of the property. The immediate formal gardens are well stocked, and further land includes an orchard, and areas of pasture and woodland leading down to the banks of the river Arun. The current owners have sought to keep the creation of habitat for wildlife, with a focus on creating wildlife corridors. There has been a planned effort to allow the fields to develop to their full environmental potential, with an emphasis on encouraging native wildlife, such as voles, nap weed etc. In certain areas native oak tree saplings have been encouraged to seed and grow naturally, creating a wonderful potential oak woodland to be shaped and maintained in the future.

Outbuildings include a pole barn to the rear of the property, and two substantial brick built barns, which could be used for a variety of purposes, including car storage, agricultural purposes or conversion into ancillary accommodation (subject to obtaining the relevant consents). A driveway and carport provide ample parking.

Location

Located within the rural hamlet of The Haven, Howick Farm enjoys a wonderful position and is situated in undulating countryside on the Surrey/West Sussex border. The property lies between the villages of Billingshurst to the south and Rudgwick to the north being approximately 4.5 miles and 3.1 miles respectively and benefits from being within a mile of a popular country pub, The Blue Ship. With its rural surroundings, there are a myriad of bridleways and public footpaths to explore which link many of the surrounding villages as well as the nearby Wey and Arun canal at Loxwood. Local amenities for everyday shopping are available at Cranleigh (7 miles) and at Billingshurst with its mainline station to London Victoria (65 minutes) via Gatwick.

For further comprehensive shopping facilities, Guildford lies 16 miles to the north and Horsham 9 miles to the east both offering a wide range of high street shops, leisure and cultural amenities. There is an excellent range of schools in the area both state and private such as Pennthorpe in Rudgwick, Farlington near Horsham, Cranleigh School and The Weald at Billingshurst. The A272 to the south is an excellent artery running east/west providing access to the A24 and A29 north/south links with the A3 and M25 further afield.

All distances and journey times are approximate.

Square Footage: 2,844 sq ft




Acreage: 28.31 Acres

Directions

What3words - ///opera.educates.pile


Additional Info

Council tax band, H.

Please note there is a footpath that passes through part of the grounds.

Marketed by: Savills, Petworth