Springlands

The property is approached via a long gated driveway that sweeps past two picturesque lakes and creates a lasting visual impression. Set within stunning grounds, this is a fascinating Grade II listed country house, believed to be of Tudor origins, with later additions that only serve to enhance the character of the property. The house still retains architectural details of a bygone era and showcases many original and interesting features including priest holes, two large working inglenook fireplaces, flagstone floor in the reception hall, latch doors, and exposed wall and ceilings beams.

The grounds provide an ideal setting for the house and extreme care and attention to detail ensures that it is at one with its surroundings, particularly evident in the kitchen/dining/sitting room where a large bay with French doors take full advantage of the spectacular view over two lakes. This is a unique and relaxed family home where the sense of the building’s history is ubiquitous and conveys a sense of immense calm and tranquillity. Although enjoying a unique seclusion, Springlands is well-placed for local amenities and transport links.

The ground floor may be entered at the front via a spacious reception hall that sets the scene and creates a sense of arrival, or less formally, through a utility room to the west side of the house or a boot room to the east side of the house. To the rear of the house is an impressive oak lined sitting/dining room where a large inglenook fireplace with an original bread oven takes centre stage, whilst situated off the reception hall is a cosy sitting room. Undoubtedly a fine feature of the house is the multi-functional, 35 ft kitchen/dining/sitting room with a study area. This room, featuring parquet flooring with high skirtings, enjoys a quadruple aspect and provides superb large-scale dining and entertainment space. The bespoke kitchen area is fitted with a wide range of handmade units, a large island with integral breakfast bar, granite worktops, integral appliances and a Rangemaster range cooker. The ground floor further comprises a good sized gym, and unusually, a utility room plus separate laundry/drying room.

On the first floor, the serene principal bedroom has the advantage of a large en suite bathroom and enjoys a triple aspect with an outstanding southerly view over the gardens, lakes and countryside towards the South Downs in the distance. There are three further double bedrooms on this level, all with concealed vanity units, along with a family bathroom. The second floor plays host to an additional double bedroom and it is worth noting that there is an adjacent attic room with a window that could be converted to an en suite bathroom (subject to planning permission). Three further extensive loft areas provide useful storage space.

The property enjoys a tranquil ‘tucked away’ setting, yet is conveniently placed for facilities catering for day-to-day needs in nearby Henfield village. The popular Royal Oak public house is less than a mile from the property. For further, more extensive amenities, Horsham, Haywards Heath and Brighton and Hove are all within easy access. For the commuter, this is an extremely attractive property being within easy reach of the A23 which in turn links with the M23 and provides access to the national motorway network, London, and Heathrow and Gatwick Airports. Hassocks and Haywards Heath stations provide parking and regular train services to London Bridge, London Victoria, Blackfriars and Kings Cross.

For equestrian enthusiasts, Hickstead is within riding distance of the property. It is also supremely located for horse racing at Plumpton, Lingfield and Goodwood, and polo at Knepp Castle.

There are a number of highly regarded local day schools: Hurstpierpoint College, Brighton College, Seaford College, Warden Park, Handcross Park, Steyning Grammar, Lancing College, BHASVIC, Colliers Sixth Form College, Forest School, Cottesmore, Roedean, Tanbridge House and Burgess Hill School for Girls. Further afield, Cranleigh, Epsom College, Trinity, Sevenoaks and Tonbridge are within easy reach. Leisure and sporting pursuits are also in abundance, including walking and riding in the local countryside, with access to the bridleway network linking to the South Downs; tennis, spa and fitness facilities at the nearby Wickwoods Country Club; golf at Mannings Heath Golf Club, Singing Hills and Pyecombe, and fishing and shooting opportunities locally.

The South Downs National Park and the South Coast are within easy reach. For the opera enthusiast, Glyndebourne in Lewes is the site of an opera house that since 1934 has been the venue for the annual Glyndebourne Festival Opera.

Amounting to about 18 acres, the gardens and grounds are a spectacular feature of the property and provide a sense of privacy and seclusion. The owners have added their exceptional touch to the grounds, ranging from a number of formal gardens, an area of woodland strewn with wildflowers/bluebells, 3 fields, two picturesque lakes (one boating), three established ponds and a stream. Fruit trees include a mulberry tree, plum, cherry, cooking apple, sweet apple, pear trees, bay tree and sloes. There is also an enclosed pool area incorporating a swimming pool with a solar panelled drown-proof electric cover, a poolside bar, hot tub area, a 5m x 4m pool house/changing room, a further changing room, barbeque area, games area, grapevine covered dining area, and a seating/firepit area.

Discreetly positioned behind the pool area is a paddock garden with a 5m x 4m cabin/ functioning office with fast broadband providing superb space for those seeking to work from home.

The property is registered with the Rural Payments Agency as a farm and benefits from an annual government agricultural grant.

Planning has been granted under DC/21/1551 for 6 stables, a tack room, a feed room, hay barn, a wash down area and a 40m x 20m manège.

In addition to a garage and ample parking for multiple vehicles, planning permission has been granted for the erection of a single garage with accommodation on the first floor. Application ref. DC/21/0820 – dated 8th September 2021.

To the southern boundary, there is vehicular access and about 3.41 acres with planning permission for the erection of an agricultural barn for the storage of machinery. Application ref. DC/21/1550 – dated 28th January 2022.

N.B. Additional land is available by separate negotiation.

Marketed by: Strutt & Parker, Horsham