Location

Quinces is situated on the semi-rural southern edge of the popular village of Wivelsfield Green, a small village in East Sussex, lying to the south of Haywards Heath, close to the South Downs National Park. It is well positioned for the local amenities which include a public house with restaurant, village hall, post office/general store, primary school, recreation ground with playground and an 11th century church. A network of footpaths and bridleways give access to the surrounding countryside, including Ditchling Common to the south of the village.      

The historic villages of Ditchling, Lindfield and Cuckfield are nearby with excellent hotels and restaurants, and recreational facilities are widespread including many golf courses and sports facilities.   

Wivelsfield Green lies almost equidistant between the towns of Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill (2.5 and three miles respectively), which both provide a good selection of shops, services and amenities. Lewes (nine miles) and Brighton (12 miles) offer a further range of shops and restaurants.   

The M23 and Gatwick Airport are within 16 miles.      

Mainline rail services are available at Haywards Heath (London Bridge/London Victoria from 42 minutes), Wivelsfield (Burgess Hill) and Burgess Hill.      

Schools: There is an excellent range of state and independent schools in the area, including Wivelsfield Green Primary School, Chailey Secondary School, Great Walstead near Lindfield, Cumnor House in Danehill, Burgess Hill Girls and Ardingly and Hurstpierpoint Colleges.

All times and distances are approximate.

Description

Ideally situated on the semi-rural edge of Wivelsfield Green, close to Ditchling Common Nature Reserve, Quinces is an attractive double-fronted Victorian home understood to date from the 1820s. The property was the subject of extension and refurbishment in 2023, resulting in a well-presented and stylish home combining modern comfort with classic Victorian charm; there remains huge potential to further enhance, with planning permission in place for a large and versatile extension to the west (for which the foundations and steels are in place), together with a detached three-bay garage and gym with room over.

Points of note include double glazed timber-framed sashes to many of the windows, high ceilings, a number of both working and feature fireplaces, stylish classic-style modern bathroom suites, and a bespoke hand-built kitchen.

The front door opens to an entrance porch, from which an inner door opens to the elegant, split-level entrance hall, which has a wooden floor and a central staircase rising to the first floor. There are two dual-aspect reception rooms lying off the hall: a formal sitting room and a versatile family room, both with open fireplaces. The kitchen and dining room lies across the hall and is a spacious room, with ample space for a dining table and/or sofas; the kitchen has been attractively re-fitted with a range of bespoke, hand-built cabinetry in sage green, with wood block worktops, a marble-topped central island, butler sink and appliances including a Rangemaster oven, integrated dishwasher and integrated fridge/freezer.

A cloakroom with WC and a useful utility room, with space for the usual appliances, complete the ground floor.

There are five well-proportioned bedrooms lying off the galleried landing on the first floor, all with lovely views over the gardens and surrounding countryside. The principal bedroom has a cast iron feature fireplace flanked by built-in wardrobes and a large en suite shower room; bedroom three also benefits from an en suite shower room. The remaining three bedrooms are served by a family bathroom with a suite including a modern freestanding bath and a separate shower cubicle.

Outside
Quinces is set back from Eastern Road down a long gravel driveway, which opens to a parking and turning area ahead of the house and the open timber garage. The garden lies predominantly to the front of the house, and comprises an expanse of level lawn, dotted with mature trees and bounded by a mix of fencing and hedging; there is a paved terrace adjoining the western side of the house with plenty of space for an outside table and chairs. In all, about 1.2 acres.

Planning Permission
As part of the planning permission for the completed first floor extension and internal reconfiguration, there is permission for a substantial, vaulted extension adjoining the western side of the house (for which the foundations and steels are in place), and a detached three-bay garage and gym with room over. Lewes District Council ref: LW/21/0770