LOT 1: Tickerage LaneBlackboys, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 5LU

A wonderful former iron mill is set in an idyllic position at the end of a no-through country lane, with a long driveway, together with about 27.98 acres of grounds, including streams and a lake.

History:
Believed to date from the 17th Century and listed Grade II, being of special historic or architectural interest, it is thought that Tickerage Mill originally had a furnace and a forge and its tall chimneys and the heavily wooded surroundings are an indication of this important industry that the Wealden area was once associated with. Over the years, Tickerage Mill has attracted many illustrious owners. The artist Richard Wyndham, who purchased the property in the 1920s, added what is now the kitchen as his artist's studio with a large oriel window overlooking the mill pond. Sir Ronald Armstrong Jones (Lord Snowdon's father) and Kenneth Letts the manufacturer of Letts Diaries were also previous residents. In 1961 Vivien Leigh sought refuge at Tickerage Mill after her divorce from Laurence Olivier. Here she entertained lavishly with many famous guests including Princess Margaret, Gielgud, John Merivale, Churchill and Robert Helpman who designed the walled garden. The marble fireplace in the master bedroom is a remnant of her occupation, having been shipped back from Venice by Vivien.

The current owners have been the custodian of this special home since 2015 and undertaken a sympathetic restoration, with the main house stylised throughout to a very high standard whilst retaining the wonderful character and many original features. The house enjoys a rural outlook, being surrounded by its own land in this wonderful setting, with an amazing view over the mill lake to the rear and extensive gardens and terracing.

Stand-out features include the original oak front door and the fireplaces in the key rooms, including a bespoke stone design with over mantel in the drawing room, a French carved marble surround in the dining hall, another in the principal bedroom, and an inglenook fireplace, fitted with a wood burning stove in the study. There is wide oak plank flooring to these rooms and limestone flooring into the kitchen/breakfast room/family room and the utility room.

The impressive Mark Wilkinson fitted kitchen, with its pretty fanlight feature window to the rear has Wolf and Sub Zero appliances and elegantly trimmed marble worktops. The adjoining family room and study area have bespoke built-in cupboards and shelving, there are recessed ceiling spotlights throughout and ceiling speakers fitted to various rooms. The dining hall, kitchen and drawing room open onto the extensive stone and lawn terracing overlooking the mill lake and there is further terracing to the other side of the property, accessed from the family room.

Upstairs, there are four beautifully appointed contemporary bathrooms and shower rooms, fitted to a modern specification, but with hints to tradition. The principal bedroom is a stand-out suite comprising a separate bathroom and shower room, as well as two separate areas of bespoke fitted wardrobes. Finally, there is an immaculate cellar fitted with three Liebherr wine fridges.

There is a large double garage with two stores and electric doors. The imposing tall wrought iron gates from the main drive lead to the inner driveway and there is a separate pedestrian gate, both have entry phones. There is a further gravelled parking area to the front of the main house.

Outside:
The gardens and grounds are a particularly stunning feature of the property, surrounding the house to all aspects and being very well stocked with a number of mature trees and shrubs. The most striking feature of the grounds is the tree-lined mill lake with its central island. This extends away from the house to the north and can be enjoyed from an extensive Yorkstone terrace. External lighting has been installed around the gardens adjoining the house and on the island.

To the south east of the house is a very attractive, formal part-walled garden. The remainder of the garden stretches away from the house to the south and east and is largely laid to lawn, interspersed with shrub and flower beds and mature trees.

Tickerage Mill is approached via a private lane which gently descends through an area of woodland, part of which is included in the sale, to a garage building and parking area.

There are two further lots, available by separate negotiation.
Lot 2 (Guide £1m): Tickerage Mill Cottage (two bedrooms), Stable Cottage (one bedroom), The Mill building, in about 5.44 acres.
Lot 3 (Guide £300k): Tickerage Wood, about 46.09 acres of woodland.

View payable Stamp Duty for this property