Location

Perching Manor is situated in the scenic South Downs National Park, on the western outskirts of Fulking, an exceptionally pretty downland village nestled at the foot of the South Downs. Fulking has a renowned public house, the Shepherd and Dog, and the neighbouring village of Poynings has a garden centre with cafe and farm shop.

For local amenities, the larger villages of Hurstpierpoint (five miles), Henfield (5.7 miles) and Steyning (5.6 miles) have an assortment of local independent shops together with public houses, restaurants and schools. Comprehensive amenities are at the seaside City of Brighton and Hove, which lies beyond the Downs to the south.
Leisure: golf at Singing Hills, Pyecombe, the Dyke (and many other courses across the county), tennis Wickwoods Country Club, sailing at Brighton Marina, and a variety of local and county athletics, cricket, rugby and football clubs to suit all ages and abilities. Racing is available at Plumpton, Lingfield and Goodwood, with show jumping at Hickstead. There are miles of footpaths and bridleways across the surrounding countryside and the South Downs Way is readily accessible from Perching Manor.

The area is ideal for food and drink enthusiasts: there are many renowned gastro pubs and Michelin accredited restaurants locally, and the region is at the heart of England's emerging wine scene. Spa and country house hotels include Wickwoods, South Lodge, Ockenden Manor, and Alexander House.

Sussex also offers a vibrant cultural scene, with world-class opera at Glyndebourne, and the annual Brighton Festival presenting a huge programme of theatre, dance, classical music and literary events.   

Transport: Perching Manor is well-positioned for local, national and international connections. There are regular rail services from Hassocks (6.5 miles) to Brighton, and London Bridge/Victoria, journey time from 48 minutes. The A23 links to the M23 and the A27, giving access to Gatwick airport (24 miles), the M25 and the south coast.   

Schools: There is an excellent range of highly regarded schools in the area including Brighton, Hurstpierpoint, Lancing and Ardingly Colleges, Burgess Hill Girls, Brighton Girls and Roedean.
All times and distances are approximate.

Description

Grade II* listed Perching Manor is a rare blend of historical charm and luxury living; it dates from the 18th century, with knapped flint with red brick dressings, complete with quoins, stringcourse and a modillion eaves cornice, all under a tiled roof. Its beautiful sash windows have pointed Gothic glazing, and many retain the original panelled interior shutters; the entrance is grand, with pilasters supporting a projecting cornice, and a six-panel door with a Gothic-glazed fan light over.

Perching Manor's stylish interiors have been sympathetically updated to meet modern requirements and yet retain much of its historical character, effortlessly combining comfort with timeless style and elegance. The floorplans give an excellent overview of the property, and should be used as a guide to the full extent of the layout.

Perching Manor's formal reception rooms are ideally suited to entertaining on a grand scale; it also offers less formal spaces to enjoy the best of country living away from the crowds.

The drawing room is both stylish and comfortable; it has a working inglenook fireplace with a cast iron fire basket and a copper hood. It is open at one end to a snug, with a wood burning stove. This has beautiful French doors to the south-facing conservatory, which is an ideal room to unwind and relax in. The dining room is spacious and elegant, with exposed brickwork and the original wood flooring; it is complemented by a wine-tasting room located in the cellar.

The kitchen is a superbly equipped space, with contemporary cabinetry in stained wood, and modern appliances including a wine fridge, fridge/freezer, Quooker taps, a Siemens dishwasher. A former inglenook house a set of three Siemens ovens (two combi microwave/fan ovens and one steam oven), with an induction hob and an additional LPG wok burner over; there is a remote-controlled extractor. The kitchen includes a central island breakfast bar, and is served by a utility/boot room with a dog shower, and a separate pantry. A cloakroom with a shower completes the ground floor.

On the first floor, the generous principal bedroom has high quality bespoke fitted wardrobes and a superb en suite that features exposed brickwork, double basins, and a wet-room-style shower. The guest bedroom retains an original cupboard and has a connecting door to bedroom three, which is currently used as a study. Bedroom four offers stunning views to the South Downs. The luxury bathroom has a wet-room style shower, a freestanding bath, a basin, and a WC. A secondary staircase also links these rooms with the ground floor.

The second floor comprises two attic bedrooms, both with refurbished original wood flooring and exposed beams. There is also a separate staircase from the first floor leading up to the loft room, which is currently used as an office and a games/TV room.

Outbuildings, Gardens and Grounds
Perching Manor is reached via electronically operated wrought iron gates, which open onto a long gravel driveway that leads past the walled garden and house to the garaging.

The garaging was originally a stable block, and is now utilised as a garage, workshop, machinery storage, and garden storage. The block retains much of its original detail and could be put back into use as stabling if desired. Additional outbuildings include a former stable/animal store now used as a wood store, and a smaller brick garden store.

The 56' refurbished pool house houses an indoor pool with an electronically operated retractable cover and underwater lighting, as well as giving space for gym equipment and seating. There is a changing room, and a separate steam/shower room, with a WC.

The landscaped gardens surrounding the property are equally as impressive as the house, and provide a series of outdoor spaces to enjoy the grounds throughout the day. Accessed from the conservatory is a formal walled garden with beautifully tended rose beds, an expanse of lawn, a large koi pond and a south-facing terrace with space for garden furniture and wonderful views. At the rear of the house and , easily accessible from the kitchen is a west-facing terrace, which is ideal for enjoying outdoor dining.

The gardens stretch westward, and include a kitchen garden with raised beds and an orchard with mown paths, leading to a decked terrace with power connected, creating a fantastic spot to enjoy the spectacular sunsets and far-reaching views.

Beyond the garaging is an elevated north-facing terrace which catches the morning sun, and offers far-reaching views over the paddocks towards the North Downs.

To the north of the gardens is a 200-vine vineyard, which is about to mature, and the fully enclosed paddocks, which have a field shelter and water connected.

In all, about 6.4 acres.

Directions

https://w3w.co/crust.ivory.affirming
From the centre of Fulking, travel west, passing the Shepherd and Dog on the left. Perching Manor is the third entrance on the right.