Gale

Gale was built at the end of the 19th century for Lord Robert Cecil, son of the Marquis of Salisbury and future Viscount Cecil of Chelwood. Lord Cecil enjoyed a long and distinguished career as a politician and statesman, co-founding the League of Nations and receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 1937. Gale remained his country retreat for about fifty years, and in the 1920s was frequently host to members of the Bloomsbury Circle, as referenced in the diaries of Virginia Woolf.

Situated at the head of a long driveway, Gale is a magnificent and attractive cream rendered Victorian country house surrounded by beautiful gardens and grounds.

Since moving in, in the early 2000's, the current owners have significantly extended, re-configured and sympathetically restored the house to an extremely high standard which Is evident throughout the property. Over the past year the house has had extensive works including all new electrics, plumbing, under-floor heating, insulation, boiler room, all new floor coverings, bathrooms, kitchen and complete re-decoration both internally
and externally. A full specification list of works completed is available upon request.

The accommodation extends to over 8,700 sq ft arranged over three floors and offers a great balance between formal and informal living. The main reception rooms are accessed off the reception hall and comprise drawing room, dining room and impressive conservatory and family room. The superb and large conservatory space is ideal for entertaining on a grand scale. The rooms have many interesting and beautiful features including herringbone flooring, decorative cornicing, spectacular curved windows, window seats to enjoy the views over the glorious gardens and grounds and marble fireplaces.

Also on the ground floor is the large bespoke Alistair Fleming designed kitchen/dining room which is well equipped with a central work island, Miele appliances, oil-fired AGA, and pantry. The vaulted kitchen is filled with light by two sets of French doors leading out to the rear garden terrace, and swimming pool. The gym area, wine store, utility room and one bedroom staff flat can also be found on the ground floor.

The first floor has exceptional accommodation, benefiting from six generous en suite bedrooms, and a further good-sized bedroom and bathroom. The principal bedroom suite has a en suite bathroom, large dressing room and is south-facing, enjoying views across the gardens to the forest.

The second floor provides versatile space with two interconnecting Home Offices, a study/hobby room, a large open area, the eighth bedroom, bathroom and a large attic.

Sitting within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty the gardens are an important feature of Gale and form the most delightful and tranquil setting, with gates opening directly onto Ashdown Forest. Beautifully designed with distinct sections, the gardens were established by Lady Chelwood and further landscaped under Lady Ashdown, the commissions of both of these keen gardeners are still evident today. Gale enjoys a stunning well-maintained and mature landscaped gardens with many established specimen trees, shrub and flower beds and orchard. The gardens are fully enclosed and screened by tall hedges, and privacy is provided by the 2.35 acres in which the house sits.

A York stone terrace wraps around the house and open to a formal lawn, which provides an excellent setting for al fresco dining, enjoying the views over the further grounds. Stone steps from the terrace lead down to the croquet lawn. A path runs around the edge of the grounds, leading to the more informal areas of lawn, and on to the all-weather north-south axis tennis court.

Beyond the tennis court is the fenced kitchen garden with fruit cage, vegetable beds, greenhouse, garden stores and tennis pavilion. Steps lead up to the heated swimming pool which is surrounded by the Italian porcelain paved terrace.

Forest Row 3.2 miles, Ashurst Wood 4.3 miles, Hartf

Marketed by: Knight Frank, Country Department