Fine detached Victorian house with scope for extension and a good range of outbuildings, paddocks and woodland.
Believed to date from about 1901, Tole House is a former Victorian coach house and stables in a glorious setting with a south facing plot of about 20.4 acres.
The property as a whole has much to recommend it: it has been in the same family for around 40 years and has clearly been a much-loved and regularly maintained family home. It is unlisted, with a substantial footprint and pleasing layout, and offers excellent scope for updating and reconfiguring (subject to obtaining the necessary permissions).
The two-storey principal house has part brick, part rendered elevations under a tiled roof with a steep apex, and is attached to the single storey former stables, arranged around the cobbled front courtyard. The principal reception rooms are arranged on the southern elevation; the sitting room has a marble and cast-iron fireplace with a painted wood mantelpiece and a study area with French doors to the terrace.
The dining room also has a beautiful painted wood mantelpiece set with a mirror.
The kitchen/breakfast room has a good range of bespoke solid wood units is served by a large utility room which in turn gives access to the rear garden and to the former stables.
On the first floor, the principal bedroom has fitted wardrobes, and a very spacious en suite bathroom with a freestanding roll top bath, walk-in shower and pair of basins. There are three further bedrooms and family bathroom.
Outbuildings, gardens and grounds
Tole House is approached from Ockley Lane via a partially shared private driveway, which leads up to the property and opens to the cobbled courtyard around which Tole House and the former stables are arranged.
The stables offer garaging and storage, and feature the original ironwork stalls and tiling; they are attached to the studio, which in turn is attached to a secure garden store.
Beyond is the detached gardener's WC; there are two large open bay barns, one to the west of the house and one to the east.
The floor plans give an excellent overview of Tole House and its attached outbuildings, and should be used a guide to the full layout and extent of the accommodation offered.
The gardens lie predominantly to the south of the house, and have been landscaped into distinct areas; there is a Portland stone terrace with space for seating close to the house, which is clad in a variety of climbing plants including a wisteria and a productive vine. The gardens are level; a post and rail fence separates the paddocks, giving an open feel to the grounds. The flat expanse of lawn to the south west of the house was previously a manège and has drainage.
There is a bridle way through the grounds to the east of the house, running along the edge of the paddock and the woodland. The pond lies to the south of the house. In all, about 20.41 acres.
View payable Stamp Duty for this property
As the brochure says, this fantastic family house is looking for its new owner and next incarnation. I love the views out over the land towards the South Downs.
Rohan VinesProperty agent