Designed by the cutting-edge and contemporary architect Piers Smerin in 2013 and winning a 2014 RIBA South East Region and RIBA National Award, together with a 2014 Structural Steel Design Awards Commendation, Sweethaws Wood is a magnificent home, designed to directly connect with its idyllic ancient English woodland setting, just a short distance from Ashdown Forest.

Approached via a sweeping drive from the quiet country lane to a parking area in front of the property, a Corten, steel alloy, bridge leads up to the front door. Sweethaws Wood has façades clad in Corten steel, Thermowood and floor to ceiling glazing that give views over the beautiful surroundings. A Vierendeel truss allows the house to “float” on a continuous expanse of full-height sliding glass doors and windows on the lower ground floor.

On entering Sweethaws Wood, the hall has a cloakroom to one end, study area and cantilevered oak stairs to the lower ground and first floors. Sliding doors at each end of the hall give access to the open plan kitchen/dining/living room. Starting at one end is a sitting area with a feature wood burning stove, flowing through to the kitchen area fitted with units, including a central island and appliances, the space continues on to a further seating area. From the living area, access can be gained to the terrace, suspended from the projecting roof above by stainless-steel rods and wrapping around the back and side of the house, allowing views over the grounds and pond beyond.

Descending to the lower ground floor, the impressive swimming pool runs the length of the west side of the home and has a wall of sliding glass doors giving access to a covered terrace that leads on to the gardens. Adjacent, there is a changing room with shower and WC and utility room. Two plant rooms can also be found on this floor. To the northern end of the terrace is an outdoor shower.

To the first floor are 5 bedrooms. The principal bedroom benefits from an adjoining wet room with shower and bath, fitted cupboards and balcony to the front of the house. A further two bedrooms have access to a covered balcony to the rear of the house and a family bathroom completes the accommodation to the first floor. All bedrooms have views over the grounds and woodland beyond.

Outside:
The gardens and grounds are cut across by streams spanned by a number of delightful bridges, with a pond formed to the west of the house and a croquet terrace on high ground to the east. The drive continues past the house to the garage and spurs off into the expansive woodland. The double garage has an attached workshop and a side door with stairs to the guest accommodation above, comprising a bedroom, shower room and sitting room/bedroom 2. Beyond the stream is a fenced clearing with a potting shed, vegetable garden and orchard.

In all, the gardens and grounds extend to about 20.5 acres.

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