The Street, Bury, Pulborough, West Sussex, RH20

The Property
Ian Nairn, writing in the Sussex edition of The Buildings of England and referring to the village of Bury makes mention of Fogdens " .... the best cottage, Fogdens, is in the lane running north ..... a good example of the Kentish type of timber framing with over sailing wings and a recessed centre." This is a classic Sussex Wealden hall house. The original entrance hall lies to the western side of the house and here the original exposed timber frame is most evident with vaulted ceiling, chequered tiled floor and painted stonework. The dining room to the left has an impressive inglenook fireplace and leads through directly to the adjacent kitchen/breakfast room. This has a good range of matching fitted units with Corian worksurfaces and breakfast bar. Appliances include a five plate induction hob, oven/grill, integrated dishwasher. A well-proportioned sitting room is nearly 28 ft in length with double leaded light doors opening south onto the potager garden. A fireplace with stone mantelpiece and marble hearth creates an attractive focal point with display shelves to either side. Glazed double doors on parliament hinges open directly onto the vaulted garden room allowing these two rooms to be combined for entertaining. This triple aspect room has a great feeling of space with a vaulted ceiling and extensive views over the surrounding gardens. The marble flagged floor has underfloor heating. There are two staircases to the first floor. The principal bedroom is over 16ft in length with vaulted ceiling and a good range of fitted wardrobes. A large shower room en-suite has a fully tiled open sided shower recess and twin wash hand basins set in a marble vanity surface with storage beneath. Two further bedrooms, also with vaulted ceilings and exposed timbers, are served by a family bathroom. A dressing room is fitted with a further range of matching wardrobes.

Fogdens Barn has been converted to create a breathtaking living space of some 38 ft long with high vaulted ceiling, exposed timbers, open fireplace and a gallery on two sides. Double doors open onto a south east facing terrace overlooking the lovely gardens. A compact but well equipped kitchen serves the adjacent open plan dining area. The first floor galleried landing leads to a vaulted bedroom suite with mezzanine area and its own bathroom.

Fogdens Cottage provides a completely self-contained annexe with vaulted sitting/dining room, kitchen and utility room. A double bedroom is served by a stylish fully tiled wet room with vanity surfaces and ample storage. A lobby with walk-in store room leads through to a large integral garage with remote controlled roller door opening directly onto The Street and there is an adjacent studio/workshop.

Outside
Double remote controlled gates with pedestrian side gate open onto a gravelled courtyard with the cottage, barn and main house on three sides. The gardens were designed and planted by the present owners some 24 years ago, creating a unique tranquil setting. A stone flagged terrace lies alongside the garden room, creating various sitting areas set amongst decorative borders planted with roses, tulips and a variety of perennials mixed with ferns and architectural grasses. Focal points are created using strategically placed taller plants with contrasting colours including acanthus, angelica and a striking dark red periscaria. Directly alongside the garden room lies a walled potager garden with symmetrical corten steel edged raised borders, separated by pretty gravelled paths with brick set roundels at each corner. This area of garden is designed to be planted with a variety of soft fruit, kitchen garden vegetables and herbs. A central circular bed surrounded by a brick path is planted with roses and a central apple tree. Two further espalier apple trees lie to the west creating a natural screen. A deep herbaceous border to the south provides an attractive backdrop stocked with anemone, euphorbia and Solomon's seal, amongst others. To the south east of the main terrace a yew topiary lined walk way leads the eye to a display area for garden statues or pottery surrounded with plached hornbeams. Lawned garden beyond has further decorative borders and glades of wild grass planted with seasonal displays of tulips, daffodils, bluebells and forget-me-not. Various sitting areas and focal points are created with the use of neatly clipped hedging and topiary. A number of the trees are particularly impressive including a 100 year old bramley, and an acer crimson king within whose branches a specially designed tree house has been built. An Alitex greenhouse is equipped with heating, light and power and fitted potting bench. A discreet screen of beech hedging leads through to a concealed kitchen garden with a number of beds separated by paved pathways planted with raspberries and other soft fruits, with plenty of room for the planting of other garden produce. This is also the location of the professionally built artist's garden studio equipped with light and power and a skylight to admit as much natural light as possible. Glazed doors look out over the kitchen garden towards well established apple and quince trees.

Bury and the surrounding area has some of the most beautiful countryside and sits within the heart of the South Downs National Park. This is very much a traditional Sussex village, with a pub, a historic church, farm shop, primary school and prep school. Nearby Amberley, Arundel and Pulborough all benefit from having mainline stations with regular services to London Victoria and Gatwick Airport.

The surrounding area has many points of interest including the well known nature reserve of Amberley Wild Brooks, Amberley Castle and the Roman settlement at nearby Bignor. Sporting and recreational activities in the area are numerous including golf at Pulborough, horse racing at Goodwood and Fontwell Park, polo at Cowdray Park, and sailing from Chichester harbour and Littlehampton. Numerous footpaths and bridleways provide many beautiful walks in the surrounding countryside.