Location

Lower Stoneham House is situated in a tucked away position, one of a small group of properties on a private road in a glorious semi-rural position just one and half miles from the centre of Lewes, just outside the South Downs National Park. just one and half miles from the centre of Lewes, just outside the South Downs National Park. Lewes is the County Town of East Sussex and offers a comprehensive range of high street and independent shops, supermarkets and leisure facilities including an independent cinema, and a station with direct trains to London, Brighton and along the south coast.
Sussex is excellent for leisure and sporting facilities, with walking (in particular within the South Downs) and equestrian pursuits locally, golf at Lewes, Piltdown and East Sussex National, and sailing at the coast.
There is a thriving cultural scene in Sussex, with world-class opera at Glyndebourne and the annual Brighton Festival presenting a huge programme of theatre, dance, classical music and literary events.
Lewes station (two miles) offers regular services to London Bridge/Victoria, journey time from 70 minutes; the A22 lies to the west, connecting to the A272, the A26 and the M25. Gatwick airport 25 miles.      
There is an excellent range of schools in the area, both state and private, including King's Academy Ringmer, Lewes Priory, Cumnor House School, Great Walstead, Bede's, Lewes Old Grammar School, Burgess Hill Girls, Roedean, Brighton Girls (DST), Brighton College and Eastbourne College.

All times and distances are approximate.

Description

Lower Stoneham House is an elegant and impressive detached house, set in a wonderful walled garden, situated in a semi-rural position just outside the South Downs National Park. The house is believed to date from the late 17th century with later additions, and is in the Georgian style, with a graceful, wisteria clad white front elevation under a slate tiled roof, high ceilings, well-proportioned rooms and plenty of light throughout the house. All the principal ground floor rooms have the benefit of French doors leading to the garden, creating an excellent flow between the interior and outdoor living spaces.

The property has recently been refurbished and offers beautifully presented accommodation arranged over three floors; it is ideally suited to meet the needs of modern family life, with plenty of space for both day-to-day life and formal entertaining, and for working from home if required.

The floorplans give an excellent overview of the full layout and extent of the property; points of note include the formal dining room, which has a working fireplace with a marble mantelpiece, and a large adjoining storage cupboard. Opposite lies a study, with an internal fanlight and connecting door to the drawing room, a double aspect room with a marble mantelpiece and Barbas wood burning stove. This connects in turn to the garden room, a superb space for day-to-day family life, which also has access to the entrance hall and the kitchen/breakfast room. This room has been recently reconfigured with the addition of French doors to the rear, and the kitchen refitted with contemporary units under marble effect worktops, providing a counterpoint to the Aga with its period tiled surround; there are three Miele ovens and a Bosch dishwasher. The kitchen has an adjoining utility room, with space for the usual appliances.

The principal bedroom suite occupies the north/eastern end of the first floor, and comprises bedroom, dressing room with fitted wardrobes and a large bathroom with a freestanding roll top bath and a walk-in shower. There are three further bedrooms and recently refitted bathroom with walk in shower and separate bath on this floor. On the second floor are two further bedrooms and a refitted bathroom with contemporary suite.

Lower Stoneham House is approached via secure electronically operated wrought iron gates which open to a wide driveway, which sweeps around the edge of the front lawn, leading past the annexe and on to the house.

The annexe is a detached timber framed building, offering an open plan living room and two bedrooms, with an attached carport and secure store.

The house, which is clad in climbing roses and wisteria, sits centrally within its gardens and grounds, which are entirely enclosed by a tall brick and knapped flint wall; the gardens are mainly laid to lawn, with mature shrubs and espaliered trees in raised beds near the wall. The gardens offer a wonderful sense of space; at the rear of the house is a raised stone terrace, with wonderful views towards Hamsey and the Downs. Beyond the terrace is the enclosed pool area, offering a sheltered spot to enjoy the heated outdoor pool and a paved surround for sun loungers. A gate opens to the small side courtyard and the pool machinery store. There is a potting shed to the front. In all, about 1.57 acres.

Directions

From the centre of Lewes, take the A26 out of town, east towards Uckfield. Keep forward at the traffic lights (Earwig Corner) and after about half a mile turn left into the private road, Lower Stoneham House is on the right-hand side at the end.