Singleton, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18

This brick and flint 17th Century cottage is tucked away at the very heart of the village and set in partially walled landscaped gardens which create a very private and pretty setting for this unique village home. The interior has all the character associated with the period including vaulted ceilings, exposed oak frame, pretty casement windows and impressive inglenook fireplaces. This is a much loved home and the owner has also added many additional features including Sonos sound in some rooms, an app controlled and zoned heating and hot water system, underfloor heating in the kitchen, first floor shower room and annexe wet room.

Two principal reception rooms lie either side of the original entrance hall, both with impressive fireplaces fitted with woodburning stoves. From the sitting room a lobby leads to a ground floor cloakroom with a bespoke range of fitted furniture and nearby vaulted study with a ladder providing access to a mezzanine storage area with recessed downlighters. The kitchen has an excellent range of fitted units with polished stone worksurfaces and returns. A range of appliances include Rangemaster cooker with six burner gas hob, extractor hood, two ovens and grill, concealed fridge/freezer, fully integrated dishwasher and carousel corner units. The adjacent utility room also has a specially built range of cupboards with polished stone worksurfaces, wine cooler and partially integrated Miele washing machine and tumble dryer.

On the first floor there are both principal and guest suites, both with a wealth of exposed beams and vaulted ceilings. The principal bedroom has its own well-appointed shower room, whilst the guest suite has its own bathroom with rolltop bath on ball and claw feet.

A separate annexe provides a third bedroom with en-suite wet room which is fully tiled with open shower area and deluge style shower mixer. The adjacent room is over 17 ft in length and is currently used as a gym, but could be suitable as an additional reception room, home office or studio. It has an impressive vaulted ceiling with mezzanine storage areas and south facing double doors open onto a terrace and the garden beyond.

Outside
A remote controlled gate opens onto a gravelled approach and parking area with decorative box edge border planted with white and purple allium and trained fruit trees. An adjacent terrace provides a sheltered sitting area alongside the Alitex greenhouse which has fitted potting benches and is equipped with light, heat and power. Nearby storage cupboards are useful for the storage of garden equipment and there is a covered wood store. Between the annexe and the cottage a covered sitting area has been created on a handsome oak frame with a tongue-and-groove panelled ceiling, having sealed unit double glazed skylights, lighting and integrated speakers. It even has its own private post box!

The cottage is surrounded by a wrap around plot. The gardens lie principally to the south of the cottage and are walled to the south and west. A stone flagged terrace is approached from both the original front door and the covered sitting area. Here the cottage is planted with an impressive wisteria and climbing roses. A beautiful olive tree in a flint planter creates an impressive focal point and a lavender edged border is planted with different coloured acers, olive and variegated holly. Ground cover plants include allium, aqualegia and anemone providing colour later in the season. A garden studio has light and power providing an ideal home office in the summer months. A pergola walkway covered with wisteria screens a further area of garden to the east with a brick wall enclosed deck designed for a hot tub. Well established evergreen trees provide a subtly coloured backdrop to this part of the garden with low level plants including catmint, Solomon's seal and lavender. To the north of the cottage a further area of lawned garden has a central clipped topiary yew tree and borders planted with climbing roses, clematis and other traditional perennials.

The village of Singleton lies in the midst of the South Down National Park, surrounded by rich countryside criss-crossed with miles of bridlepaths and footpaths. This is an active village community with village primary school, parish church, cricket green and village pub. Goodwood with its many facilities lies within two miles including its internationally known race course, members' club, hotel, motor circuit and private airfield. Other nearby local attractions include the nearby Weald and Downland Open Air Museum and West Dean College, formerly the home of the poet and patron of arts Edward James and now home to the College of Arts and Conservation with its famous restored gardens. Chichester, some 6 miles to the south, provides a comprehensive range of shopping facilities arranged partly within its pedestrianised centre and there is a mainline station with a regular service to London Victoria in approx. 1 hour 45 minutes.