Location

Beech House is ideally situated in the semi-rural village of North Chailey, only 12 minutes' drive of Haywards Heath's mainline railway station, yet with Chailey Common nature reserve, offering over 180 hectares of heathland and miles of footpaths, on its doorstep. Newick is two miles to the east, a popular village with a number of amenities providing for day-to-day needs.   

Lindfield and Haywards Heath lie to the west (three and four miles respectively), Lindfield known for its tree-lined High Street and variety of shops, boutiques and public houses; Haywards Heath provides a further range of facilities, including high street shops, restaurants, supermarkets (including a Waitrose) and a leisure centre. More comprehensive shopping can be found in Brighton, Crawley and Tunbridge Wells.

Sussex offers excellent leisure and sporting facilities, with many opportunities for golf, walking (in particular along the South Downs Way) and equestrian pursuits locally, including regular meets at Plumpton Racecourse. 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.   

Rail: Haywards Heath, five miles (London Bridge/Victoria from 42 minutes). Gatwick airport 17 miles.      

Schools: There is an excellent range of state and independent schools in the area including Chailey St Peters Primary School, Chailey Secondary School, Cumnor House School in Danehill, Great Walstead, Ardingly and Hurstpierpoint Colleges, Lewes Old Grammar School and Burgess Hill Girls.   

All distances and journey times are approximate; driving times taken from Google Maps.

Description

Understood to date from 1928, Beech House is an excellent family home located in a semi-rural setting with countryside views to the east, yet only five miles from the commuter town of Haywards Heath. The house is very well appointed and beautifully presented, offering bright, spacious and versatile accommodation over two floors, the layout on the ground floor being particularly well thought-out with an excellent flow between the main living spaces. The main house is complemented by an equally well-presented detached annexe, offering self-contained accommodation ideal for family members or guests.   

There are three formal reception rooms, including a cosy dual aspect sitting room with original art deco style marble fireplace, a large family/cinema room, and a part-panelled dining room with bespoke fitted storage cupboards, open shelving and a drinks fridge, together with bi-fold doors opening to the terrace and garden.

The attractive kitchen and breakfast room also has bi-fold doors opening to the terrace and is fitted with a range of bespoke solid wood cabinetry, with an island, marble worktops, space for a range and a number of integrated appliances, and an adjoining utility room and cloakroom.   

There are four stylishly presented bedrooms on the first floor, including an impressive principal suite comprising a bedroom with French doors opening to a large, decked roof-top terrace, a dressing room with a range of fitted wardrobes*, and a luxury bathroom with suite including a freestanding Victoria+Albert bath and separate shower with huge drencher head. The remaining three bedrooms are served by a family bathroom with period-style fittings and an en suite shower room to bedroom two.   

*The dressing room was previously the fifth bedroom and could be converted back to a bedroom if required.

Beech House Annexe
Tucked behind Beech House, overlooking the garden and with an adjoining decked terrace, is a superbly appointed detached annexe, which was reconfigured and refurbished in 2022. The annexe comprises an open plan sitting room and well-fitted kitchen with wood block worktops and integrated appliances, a vaulted bedroom and a shower room with modern white suite.      

Outside
Beech House is approached from Haywards Heath Road via tall iron gates, which open to a generous gravelled parking area ahead of the house. There is gated access around both sides of the house to the extensive rear garden, where a large paved terrace adjoins the rear of house and steps rise to an expanse of lawn well enclosed by fencing and flower and shrub borders. In the south-eastern corner of the garden, beyond the annexe, is a detached outbuilding with kitchenette and WC currently used as a garden room and workshop, behind which is a useful area for garden storage.