An impressive unlisted country house set in glorious grounds with outstanding southerly views.
On the market for the first time since 1980, Bassetts is an intriguing and much admired property on the rural fringe of the popular village of Wadhurst, in a superb elevated position with wonderful views and delightful grounds of about 24 acres.
AGENT'S NOTE:
Please note that the adjoining three bedroom cottage/annexe, on a separate title to the main house, is available at an additional cost.
Styled with a nod to the 19th century 'Arts and Crafts' influence, Bassetts has existed for several centuries. It became a prominent country estate in the 1920s when banker and MCC cricketer Captain Alexander Drummond and his actress wife, Pauline Chase (J.M Barrie's favourite actress for the role of Peter Pan, to which there are references around the house) invested significantly in extending, remodelling and landscaping the beautiful gardens. Bassetts is the principal house of the former estate and is two thirds of a mile from the road at the end of its own private lane.
This special home in the High Weald AONB is unlisted and offers a balance of grandeur and practical family living. It is ideally positioned in its own extensive, peaceful gardens with countryside views. The well presented and adaptable accommodation is arranged over three floors, with an impressive indoor pool complex below.
There are many lovely features throughout, including leaded light windows, oak floors in the principal rooms, intricate decorative ceiling cornicing and an impressive wide feature fireplace in the sitting room (and large fireplaces elsewhere), a characterful oak panelled study and even the original bell system.
The kitchen is open plan with its own large dining area with inglenook fireplace and doors to the garden. There is a large utility room with copious cupboard space, and direct indoor access to the pool complex on the lower level. There is an elegant dining room with another impressive fireplace and large windows looking onto the garden.
On the first floor, the principal bedroom has a barrelled ceiling with windows including a large bay looking over the gardens into woodland and across the valley to the South. There is a modern, large bathroom with walk-in shower.
The guest suite - again with barrelled ceiling - includes a separate living area for guests, which has the potential to be converted easily into a further bedroom if required. There are a further 3 charming, good-sized bedrooms on the first floor, with two further bath/shower rooms and a smaller attic room.
On the lower level, accessed directly from the house, there is an impressive large pool complex, including a 10.4m (34') pool, jacuzzi and private external terracing overlooking the surrounding countryside and grounds.
OUTSIDE
The impressive approach to the estate is along a long private lane (about 2/3 mile/1 Km) with access to Bassetts via an archway under a pretty clock tower through to an impressive, large private circular driveway, surrounded by mature specimen shrubs. Adjoining this is garaging for three large cars. The mature, formal gardens surrounding the rear of the house are a notable feature. The gardens are peaceful with seating areas to enjoy at different times of the day, terraces, pathways, lawned areas, established borders with many colourful specimen plants, shrubs and trees including roses, acer, hydrangea and swathes of rhododendron.
An area of ancient woodland full of bluebells in the spring extends to the South and East boundaries where there is a disused tennis court. There is a pretty sheltered flagstone courtyard to the front of the house providing a cool refuge on hot days. The land below the garden to the South is mostly natural rough pasture with wild flowers, a waterfall running down to a stream via a pond with extensive planting and further ancient woodland.
Outbuildings in the grounds include a useful range of former Hoppers huts dating back to the hop-picking days of the former estate and providing scope for a variety of uses, for example office or studio space, subject to any necessary planning consents. The huts have vehicular access separate from the main house.
View payable Stamp Duty for this property
Hard to believe you are quite so rural, with those amazing southerly views when you are only three miles from a mainline station and an hour from London.
Will PeppittProperty agent