Lower Ricks

Lower Ricks is a beautifully presented country house set in just over 5 acres of sweeping grounds and gardens, with southerly views towards its own private woodlands.

The accommodation spans over 6000 square feet and has been extensively extended and refurbished to create the incredible family home it is today. The property lies in a semi-rural position within the village of Balcombe and is just a 5-minute walk to Balcombe train station. Lower Ricks dates from around the 1930’s and is constructed of red brick walls and black stained wood panelling under a terracotta tiled roof. The accommodation is perfectly laid out for both formal entertaining and family life, with large, beautiful cottage style windows, beautifully proportioned rooms, fireplaces with wood burning stoves and a stunning triple aspect drawing room with views out over the property’s own fields towards the woods.

Lower Ricks is entered through a central entrance hall with oak floors throughout and carpet in the sitting room. There is a triple aspect kitchen/breakfast room with fitted oak cupboards and draws with granite worktops, a central island with an oak worktop and access from this to the utility and storeroom. Bi-fold glass doors afford access to the patio and the glorious views across the grounds. Further down the hall is a beautiful formal dining room and a large study with storage. Across the hall to the southern side is a large sitting/tv room with woodburning stove and then off this is the magnificent triple aspect drawing room. Currently used largely for entertaining this room has the wow factor, with enormous windows offering views across the grounds to the woods. Above the drawing room and accessed via an oak staircase are two double bedrooms with ensuite, perfect for teenagers, offering some level of privacy or guest accommodation. On the lower ground floor is a large basement room, currently being used as a snooker room and gym, but this room offers enormous scope for all sorts of usages, like a full sized cinema room, studio or office.

There is also a garage attached to one end of the property and a downstairs cloakroom complete the lower and ground floor accommodation.

On the first floor there is a principal bedroom suite with en-suite bathroom and dressing room with double aspect views across the grounds. There are a further 3 bedrooms, a family bathroom and linen store. One of the bedrooms is currently being used as an upstairs laundry, so plumbing is available in this room.

The property is well screened and the entrance is via a private lane off the main road, leading down to electric gates and into a large driveway, parking and turning area. The gardens and grounds are of particular note, extending to just over 5 acres with formal and informal areas, wide sweeping lawns and vistas across the grounds to the property’s woodland. There is a large indoor swimming pool with shower room and sauna, paddocks and herbaceous and perennial borders. The gardens are exquisite and offer beautiful views to the south and the surrounding countryside. There are several outbuildings including a detached garage with store, and a triple bay oak fronted carport, with one bay fully enclosed.

Balcombe is a lovely village just to the north of Haywards Heath with a train service running to London Victoria and London Bridge (approximately 45 minutes) and is only a 2-minute walk away from Lower Ricks. Haywards Heath is close by and has a great range of shopping and leisure facilities as well as the mainline train station. The A23 offers direct access to the motorway network, Gatwick, Heathrow, and the South coast. Located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty the surrounding countryside provides a vast range of sporting and recreational activities. Glyndebourne, Goodwood, Ardingly Showground and Plumpton are all within easy reach. The local footpaths provide a vast network of stunning walks and there are numerous excellent golf courses nearby and reservoirs for water sports. There are many highly renowned schools in the area both state and private including Balcombe Church of England Primary School, Oathall Community College, Warden Park and Haywards Heath College. The local Prep schools Great Walstead, Cumnor House, Ardingly Prep and Brambletye are superb as are Ardingly College, Worth Abbey, Hurstpierpoint College and Burgess Hill Girls.



Marketed by: Jackson-Stops, Lindfield