Colwood Lane, Bolney, RH17

Shepherds is a beautiful country house set on a glorious private plot in West Sussex, coming to the market for the first time in 37 years. This wonderful Arts and Crafts inspired house offers over 6,600 square feet of accommodation across three floors with a three-bed attached annex cottage. There is a triple garage, swimming pool and pool house, workshop, second garage and greenhouse, cellar, various terraces and extraordinary panoramic views, across its own land to the South Downs, all offering scope for updating and extending (NOT a listed property), subject to the necessary planning consent.

The property is steeped in charm full of classic 1930’s style and elegance, with many original features, including light fittings, carpets, door furniture and beautiful carved linenfold doors. The accommodation is arranged over three floors with very generously proportioned rooms and an abundance of natural light throughout, through largely south facing windows. The ground floor is accessed through an elegant, central entrance hall with an impressive oak carved staircase and original carpet. The magnificent drawing room has large south facing glass doors leading onto the terrace, which runs across the southern elevation of the house, and is a particular highlight of the property with a superb oak carved and marble fireplace. To the east of the drawing room is a delightful double aspect sitting room (called the morning room) due to its east/south facing windows, with a large picture window to the south, and inglenook inspired fireplace with wood burning stove. To this end of the hallway there is also a study and downstairs cloakroom.

To the other end of the hallway is a beautiful formal, oak panelled dining room with marble fireplace and a large south facing window offering glorious views across the gardens. Opposite the dining room is a large kitchen/breakfast room with preparation island, walk in larder and access to the west facing terrace and swimming pool.

To the north of the kitchen is an inner hallway which is currently used as a utility and a playroom with a beautiful additional staircase to the first floor. This end of the house has its own access so would make an ideal attached integrated annex or cottage and could provide a kitchen, sitting room, downstairs cloakroom, and on the first floor, three bedrooms and a bathroom. Please see the floorplan which provides an outline of this proposal.

On the first floor is the principal bedroom with ensuite bathroom, ensuite shower room and dressing room. There is a guest suite with ensuite bathroom, two additional bedrooms, two bathrooms and an upstairs laundry. On the second floor are three more bedrooms and two bathrooms and a great deal of loft storage. The second floor would also make an ideal games/cinema and gym complex.

Sitting to the north of the plot, Shepherds affords some of the most spectacular views across its own terraces and fields to the South Downs. There is a circular driveway leading to the rear of the property and its beautiful formal entrance, with original oak carved door and ironmongery. The driveway extends further along the back of the property to a large triple bay garage and workshop, providing direct access to the side of the house, kitchen and attached annex. The mature gardens and grounds surround the house and have been beautifully planted and landscaped with herbaceous borders, a rose garden and fountain, wide south facing York stone terrace, a lower terrace and fields.

The gardens and grounds provide a very special, quiet and secluded setting for this beautiful family home affording magnificent views of the countryside and the South Downs in the heart of West Sussex.

Shepherds is situated close to the popular and sought after village of Bolney, with its two public houses, primary school, village hall, church, recreation ground and the Bolney Wine Estate and café/restaurant. Cuckfield is also nearby with its wide range of independent shops and boutiques, and the award winning Ockenden Manor Hotel and Spa.

Haywards Heath’s mainline railway station is a 15-minute drive, with fast and frequent commuter services to both London Victoria and London Bridge (from 42 mins), Gatwick Airport and Brighton. The A23 offers direct access to the motorway network, Gatwick, Heathrow and the South coast.

There is an excellent range of educational facilities locally both in the private and state sectors. Private schools include Great Walstead, Cumnor House, Handcross Park, Ardingly College, Hurstpierpoint College, Brighton College, Roedean and Burgess Hill Girls – many of which run a local minibus pick up service. The superb local state schools include Bolney CE Primary school and Warden Park Secondary school in nearby Cuckfield.

Located in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty the surrounding countryside provides a vast range of sporting and recreational activities. Glyndebourne, Goodwood, Ardingly Showground and Plumpton are all within reach. The local footpaths provide a vast network of stunning walks from the village, many leading towards the South Down and Ashdown National Parks. There are numerous excellent Golf courses nearby and reservoirs for water sports.