Exceptional country house set in this exclusive gated community on the Ashdown Forest.
Chiddingly Grange is a substantial and attractive detached house built around 2002 by Millwood Designer Homes Ltd and forms part of an exclusive and secluded, gated rural community of just seven homes. As with the others, this modern house is designed in the traditional style of a Yeomans House typical of the Kent and East Sussex historic vernacular.
The house is approached via a driveway across the forest through electric wooden gates which leads over a small bridge on to a private gravel driveway.
The property offers excellent flexible family accommodation with large flowing rooms, arranged over three floors, and is presented to a very high standard.
Features include the solid oak front door, oak flooring and wall panelling in the reception hall, complemented by an attractive oak stairs. There is also decorative cornicing to key rooms, some with traditional style radiators and others fitted with smart covers. The sitting room has a substantial brick fireplace in the Inglenook style with oak bressummer beam over. Throughout the house the windows are all leaded light sealed unit double glazing, with wooden frames.
There are three formal rooms directly from the reception hall and the outstanding downstairs feature is the wonderful kitchen/dining room, with its informal sitting and dining areas, including a fireplace and space for a dining table, set in a recessed area, complete with a row of windows and access to the outside rear terracing. The fitted Mark Wilkinson kitchen fits in nicely with the room and features some impressive high end appliances from Wolf and Sub Zero and also a five oven gas and electric Aga, as the focal point. The generous space here also gives direct access to the family room and there is a similar style utility room.
Upstairs, the principal bedroom suite features quality dressing cupboards, fitted in oak, a generous balcony with views and a rear garden aspect, as well as a sumptuous and very spacious marble bathroom. The family bathroom is specified to a similar standard and there are five double bedrooms on the first floor. A further surprise awaits on the next floor up, with both a snooker room and also a further generous suite, complete with another impressive bathroom with Juliette balcony, suitable for guests, or alternatively for use as a gym or perhaps a Yoga Studio.
The generous overall plot of about 2.18 acres is laid out as mainly enclosed park-like gardens, consistent with the theme of maximum enjoyment and minimal maintenance. In addition though, there is the shared woodland surrounds to the estate, which offers a wide variety of mature deciduous and coniferous trees with wild flora, creating a haven for wild life and a superb recreational facility ideal for walking and children. As well, the communal land, which is gated beyond the garden and in turn quickly gives gated access to the Ashdown Forest itself, so there is stunning amounts of accessible space outside for the residents' benefit.
The generously proportioned front garden is hedged, with the impressive tree-lined driveway access on one side, leading in turn to the secure, gated courtyard parking and garaging. The garden room addition is attached to the triple garage and is another fine feature, with a tiled and drained floor and fitted with a wood burner (with potential for an orangery, greenhouse or home office, amongst other suggestions).
The rear terracing, accessed from three rooms, is extensive and benefits from the views and rear garden aspect, complete with a pergola dining area (with a sail available to provide shade) and a built-in barbecue and pizza oven. Just beyond and strategically placed for the views, there is a wood fired hot tub.
The garden has a variety of trees, lawn and then meadow, separated by a brook down to the communal woodland.
View payable Stamp Duty for this property
So much quality to really admire here in this stunning and spacious home, significantly upgraded and extended from the original specification. Although for me, it's also about the position and the approach more than anything else, combined with the lovely views to the rear.
Robert JacobsProperty agent