Substantial country house with beautiful grounds, situated in the glorious countryside of the South Downs National Park
Old Middleton is a superb country house, dating in part from the C17th and including a beautiful Queen Anne frontage; the property has been extended over the years to create a grand yet comfortable family home, with attractive red brick elevations under a tiled roof. It offers all the beauty and charm expected of a period home, coupled with the benefit of being unlisted.
Old Middleton was significantly extended by the addition of a substantial vaulted kitchen/breakfast room, gym/games room and utility to the rear when our clients acquired the property in 2002, and today it offers approximately 7,618 sq ft of generously proportioned accommodation arranged over three floors plus cellars.
There are two formal reception rooms: the 32 foot drawing room has an open fireplace, French doors to the south facing side garden, and a connecting door to the dining room; the dining room has an impressive inglenook fireplace, and a door to the pretty front garden, with both rooms creating an excellent flow for entertaining. There are two less formal reception rooms: a sitting room with an open fireplace, and a cosy family room nestled by the kitchen. The study has a pleasant outlook to the rear.
The vaulted kitchen/breakfast room is ideal for day to day life; it has space for sofas, a study area and a wonderful bespoke kitchen, with granite worktops complemented by an excellent range of pale blue painted wood cabinets to the side, and a central island with pink painted cabinets. Appliances include a four oven oil-fired Aga, integrated dishwasher and there is space for a large fridge/freezer. Three deep sash windows frame the view across the west facing terrace, with a door giving access at the rear. Beyond the kitchen is a useful pantry and a separate utility room; there is a gym/games room with mezzanine level over, with French doors.
On the first floor, the principal suite occupies the entire southern elevation; the dual aspect bedroom has a modern en suite with twin basins, free standing bath and a walk-in shower. There are four further bedrooms and three bath/shower rooms on this floor; the rear landing leads to the stairs to the second floor, where there are three further bedrooms, a study/bedroom nine, and a WC with separate bathroom.
Outbuildings and garaging
The property is approached by electronically operated gates which open to the long gravelled driveway, which winds past the gardens to the front door. A spur leads to the outbuildings which are arranged around a courtyard, offering parking and storage away from the house, they comprise a flint walled home office, a recent addition with underfloor heating and fibre broadband connected, adjoined by a double garage. There is a brick and timber open bay log store with workshop, garden store and gardener's WC; a further brick outbuilding was formerly a stable.
To the north east of this group of buildings is an unconverted two storey barn, offering excellent potential for conversion to secondary accommodation (subject to obtaining the necessary consents and permissions). Close by is a small brick outbuilding, formerly used as a sauna.
Gardens and grounds
To the east, the outdoor pool and its pool house are fully enclosed, with plenty of space for sun loungers; to the west is an elevated all weather tennis court. The formal gardens surround the house, and are beautifully planted, opening out to a croquet lawn to the front.
The paddocks lie to the east and north of the house, accessed via a five bar gate by the outbuildings; the property offers excellent equestrian potential with a bridleway giving access on to the South Downs Way and northwards to Streat, and with footpaths directly connecting to the beautiful countryside Old Middleton is set in.
In all, about 19.97 acres.
View payable Stamp Duty for this property