Location

The Grange is located in a private driveway serving just three homes, set well back off the road to Framfield in the heart of the village of Blackboys within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.   

The village school is just 0.2 miles on foot, whilst the popular Blackboys Inn, a 14th coaching inn, described as one of the prettiest pubs in the South East is known for its locally sourced food and community spirit is within half a mile.

Local smaller towns are within easy reach including Uckfield, Heathfield and Crowborough (about 4, 5 and 11 miles respectively) each offering supermarkets, including Waitrose, specialist shops, restaurants and cafes, as well as The Picture House Cinema in Uckfield and the Isenhurst private members health club at Cross-in-Hand, just north of Heathfield, where there is also a rugby club and tennis club.

The larger, character towns of Tunbridge Wells and Lewes are reached within 16 and 12 miles respectively, with Eastbourne and Brighton approximately 20 miles.

There is a good variety of country pursuits in the area, including horse racing at Plumpton, Brighton and Lingfield, as well as golf at Piltdown and the East Sussex National. The world famous Opera at Glyndebourne is a key attraction in the area and The South Downs National Park to the South-West is renowned for beautiful walking routes, picturesque villages and is home to the well-reputed English wine estate, Rathfinny at Alfriston.   Along the coast, there are numerous beaches to explore, including; Bexhill, Pevensey, Holywell, Birling Gap and Cuckmere Haven.

Mainline stations: Buxted is approximately 7.3 miles (Southern Rail) with services to London Bridge from 1 hr 16 mins, or Stonegate, approximately 11 miles (South Eastern Rail) with services to London Charing Cross from 1 hr 11 mins). Tunbridge Wells is approximately 16 miles to the north (South Eastern Rail) with services to London Charing Cross from 55 mins).

Private and state schools: There are village primary schools at Blackboys and Cross-in-Hand, with secondary schooling at Uckfield and Heathfield Community Colleges. Skippers Hill Manor preparatory school at Five Ashes is approximately 4.7 miles. For senior schools, there are co-ed options at Eastbourne, Brighton, Sevenoaks, Hurst and Bedes in Upper Dicker, for girls at Mayfield and for boys at Tonbridge.

Description

A substantial Queen Anne-style Grade II listed village house enjoying a tucked away position in the heart of the village, just 0.2 miles from the school and half a mile from the popular Blackboys Inn.

Documented as dating back to the late 17th century, the Grange was a prominent family home in its day. It is likely that the impressive symmetrical southeasterly elevation with its lovely red and grey brickwork was the original front approach.   

But history is evident throughout the house; so look out for the brick inscribed by Esdras Harper, "EH1734", the decorative leaded light windows and door panels, one depicting a dragon fly, wrought iron work, oriel windows, oak joinery, huge key and hinges to the front door and stone steps worn by time.

The past has been preserved and enjoyed by the current custodians of this delightful home, which provides wonderful space of almost 5,000 square foot for all the family and has good ceiling heights throughout.

The spacious reception hall with its wood burning stove opens through to three characterful connecting reception rooms, which can be opened up for big gatherings and features a huge inglenook fireplace in the sitting room, and there is a separate study.   

The recently-fitted kitchen/breakfast room is styled to retain the feel of a country home, with quarry tiled flooring and an Aga. Modern appliances include a wine fridge and a dishwasher. There is extensive domestic space too, with a walk-in larder, store rooms, utility room and further cellar storage below.

Upstairs the generously proportioned space provides seven bedrooms arranged over two floors, all with a lovely outlook, whilst the surprisingly spacious "wing" on the north westerly side of the house is a teenagers' dream, providing informal leisure space.

The property is very well placed for a number of well-regarded schools and there are several options for mainline rail services to London.

Outside, the garden wraps around the house providing privacy to all sides and features an extensive and beautifully-bricked terrace accessed from the kitchen area and providing wonderful space for summer entertaining.   The garden is mostly laid to lawn, with high hedging, trees and shrubs to the boundaries, an attractive and well-maintained pond and a lovely stone fountain providing a focal point.

The Grange is approached from the road through a gated entrance serving three properties with a long gravel driveway culminating in a large parking and turning area, and a brick detached garage. A wrought-iron fence with gates to the front entrance and a lavender border encloses the front garden.