Rafter

This much-loved family home is understood to have origins dating from the early 17thC with later additions and was originally known as Poyers Farm. The main house has a wonderful sense of light and space with generous overall ceilings heights for a property of its age and has a seamless connection to the beautiful gardens and grounds which surround the house.

The front door opens into the welcoming entrance hall with a beautiful oak floor, from which a door leads through into the double drawing room which is an elegant beautifully light room with a wood burning stove, bay window and glazed doors giving access to the garden. Also approached from the hall is a charming cosy sitting room again with a pretty bay window and an impressive Inglenook fireplace with a further woodboring stove. Beyond the sitting room is a very generous dining room with working fireplace and a glazed door giving further access to the garden. The kitchen/breakfast room is ideally located beyond the dining room and is fitted with a good range of painted units with granite worksurfaces, integrated appliances, and a four oven LPG Aga. A spacious and well-appointed utility room and cloakroom completes the ground floor accommodation which is ideally arranged for modern family living.

The first floor is approached via two staircases. The principal staircase leads to a beautiful, vaulted landing with a wealth of exposed timbers. The principal bedroom is a lovely double aspect room with a gorgeous view over the garden and adjacent to it is a luxurious ensuite bathroom (which has the added flexibility of also being approached from the landing) with both a free-standing bath and separate shower. In addition to the principal suite there is a charming guest bedroom with a well-appointed shower room opposite, three further bedrooms and good-sized family. Approached via the main landing and also the secondary staircase is a great first floor study/sitting room from which there is access to a charming, vaulted mezzanine.

In addition to the main house there is a charming and beautifully presented detached two storey annexe cottage offering further flexibility which could provide accommodation for extended family or be utilised to provide home office space for those looking to work from home. On the ground floor there is an entrance hall/lobby, sitting room and well-presented kitchen/breakfast room. On the first floor there is good sized double bedroom and a well- appointed bathroom.

The property is approached from the lane via double entrance gates which lead through to the private entrance carriage driveway which leads up to the front of the house. From the drive a wrought iron gate leads through a low wall to a brick path bound on either side by lawns leading up to the front door. To one side of the drive is a courtyard formed by a range of outbuildings which includes a garage, workshop/store and a vaulted studio which is currently utilised as a charming artist’s studio.

The principal gardens lie to the rear of the house and have been beautifully landscaped and planted over the years with sweeping expanses of lawn, various paved seating areas and well stocked herbaceous beds. .Enclosed by a clipped yew hedge is the sheltered heated swimming pool which is set into a wide stone paved surround with a timber pool house to one end. From the main formal lawn an opening in a hedge leads though to a charming “Secret garden” with various mown paths with a central circular ornamental pond.

Bordering the south-western side of the formal gardens is a small kitchen garden with a number of raised beds next to which are two large compost bins. Bordering the gardens on two sides are the properties two paddocks. Located within the larger paddock is a timber barn providing useful storage. Situated a short distance from the paddocks is a stable block with two loose boxes.

The gardens, grounds and land at Rafters provide a stunning tranquil setting for family life and entertaining. In all just over 5 acres.

Rafter lies in a superb position well away from main roads with lovely views over its own gardens and grounds with occasional glimpses towards the South Downs. The centre of the small village of East Chiltington, with its parish church and public house, The Jolly Sportsman, is about 1.25 miles.

The surrounding countryside is intersected by an extensive network of public footpaths and bridleways providing some superb walks, whilst a near-by bridleway leads to the nearby South Downs National Park providing many miles of spectacular riding country.

For the commuter, Plumpton Station is only 2 miles away providing a service to London Victoria in just under an hour. Lewes is some 4.5 miles and provides a comprehensive range of shopping and recreational facilities, together with a mainline train service to London (London Bridge/Victoria about 68 minutes). Haywards Heath lies about 7 miles and also has a mainline service to London Bridge/Victoria in approximately 47 minutes.

The coastal, business and entertainment city of Brighton & Hove is about 12 miles, whilst the A27 provides fast access to the A23/M23, Gatwick Airport and the national motorway network.

Rafters s is well placed for a number of private schools including Lewes Old Grammar School, Brighton College, Roedean School, Burgess Hill School for Girls, Cumnor House, Great Walstead, Worth Abbey, Ardingly College and Hurstpierpoint College.



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