Discover a unique four-bedroom family residence on the fringes of the High Weald AONB in the thriving village of Newick. Built in 1959, rumour has it this was once the residence of Sir Roger Moore (007), the house is now named after the Greenwich Meridian line running through it and offers unspoilt south-facing views from its set-back position on a prime residential road.
The current owners have upgraded the house by replacing all the windows with high-spec double-glazing with low maintenance white uPVC frames and sills and replacing the soffits and fascia with white uPVC. They have also upgraded the entire central heating system, which uses a powerful oil-fired condensing boiler. The electrics have recently been brought up to current standards, including meeting modern smoke and heat detectors requirements.
Welcome Home
From the street, a low red brick wall demarks the entrance to a long, shared tarmacked driveway, bordered by lawn, trees and shrubs. There’s plenty of parking in front of the house or inside an oak-built two-bay carport with red clay tiles.
Notice the commanding proportions of the home’s solid, red-brick exterior and matching red clay tile roof as you step through a part-glazed door into the newly built mudroom. Tiled flooring pairs with lots of in-built cupboards and storage seats, where you can pause to untie boots and peel off wellies. Catch a glimpse of the lush green lawn or peer through an interior window to the kitchen.
A Home Cook’s Haven
Head right into a well-planned contemporary dining kitchen filled with bespoke handmade solid birch cabinetry with Italian granite worktops and splashback. By the big front window is a lovely and sunny breakfast area for enjoying a morning coffee, while the ample storage and walk-in pantry will keep keen cooks and bakers busy at the large central island.
Integrated appliances include a five-ring Falcon range cooker with Elica extractor, a concealed Liebherr fridge and freezer, a Neff dishwasher, and a Franke filtered drinking water tap to the sink.
Impressive Proportions
Adjoining the kitchen to the rear of the home is a spacious and bright dual-aspect formal dining room boasting an attractive brick feature fireplace, which acts as a natural focal point. With carpet underfoot, coving and a central pendant light to the walls and ceiling, this lovely entertaining space is ready for an equally sizeable dining table and perhaps an antique sideboard or two. There’s even a handy wall safe.
Continue through into a grand main reception hallway. Down a few steps you find a handy separate cloakroom with a utility area housing the boiler and space for appliances. The reception hall is also accessed via double doors that open into the entrance lobby. This leads to a raised covered porch enjoying a serene view over the grounds and the meadow beyond.
Opposite the dining room, you’ll discover a generous south-facing drawing room featuring six windows to three aspects and French doors to the garden. Bright every day of the year, it’s still cosy in winter thanks to the period open stone fireplace.
Retreat Upstairs
Return to the hallway, where the central butterfly staircase, illuminated by a large feature window and a chandelier fitting, ensures a dramatic arrival onto the galleried landing. Currently used as a fantastic library and study area, you can pause here to soak in the verdant vistas over the back of the house.
The left-hand archway connects to a part-tiled family bathroom with wood-panelled bath, basin and adjoining loo. Meanwhile, the rear left door reveals a master bedroom with coved ceiling and three windows. It also benefits from a bright contemporary bathroom with Carrara marble tiles and granite windowsills, a deep Jacuzzi jetted bathtub, a large walk-in shower, basin and close-coupled loo.
Across the hall from the master, a spacious second double bedroom with integrated wardrobe benefits again from three windows, with uninterrupted views of the Sussex countryside from the two windows facing south-east. From the hallway through the right-hand archway, you’ll find bedroom three straight ahead – a great sized double with an integrated wardrobe overlooking the meadow. Follow the inner landing round to find a WC and a separate bathroom with a panelled bath and glass-screened overhead shower, pedestal basin and an obscured window for light and privacy. A dual-aspect single bedroom with yet more delightful views lies adjacent.
Step Outside
Approached down a long drive, Meridian House has grounds on all four sides. The south- and west-facing garden lawns are especially private, peaceful suntraps where you can sun yourself all day or find a shady tree to read a book with just the birds for company.
Other highlights include an east-facing spot for an al fresco breakfast and a west-facing patio where you can watch the sunset over a glass of wine. Children will love playing in the wild, secret areas and roaming through the wildflower meadow, recently reseeded with native species that support the established local wildlife, including deer.
Out & About
The village of Newick has a strong sense of community and identity that will help you settle into community life. On the outskirts of the High Weald AONB, and within driving distance to the South Downs National Park and the seaside resort of Eastbourne, you’re never far from an outbound adventure or two.
The centre of the village is within walking distance and includes a post office, bakery, pharmacy, butchers and local convenience stores. There you will also locate a doctor’s surgery/health centre, a church with 11th Century Norman origins, and an Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ primary school. Secondary schooling can be found in South Chailey, and there are several independents – including Lewes Old Grammar School for boys and Burgess Hill Girls – within a 10-mile radius.
Meet your new neighbours at any of three local village pubs, all serving the local Harvey’s Best and delicious meals. There’s also an excellent Indian restaurant attracting people from miles around and a casual café/sandwich shop.
The village has sports grounds with a clubhouse and adjacent children’s play area, separate tennis courts and a bowling green, while the village and church halls host a range of clubs and events between them.
Newick is renowned for having the greatest number of active sports, social and leisure clubs or societies of any Sussex village. Whether you are a cricketer, tennis player, quizzer, gardener or thespian, there’s one you can join. Annually in November, Newick hosts a major bonfire and fireworks event – a significant Sussex tradition. The local WI holds a country market every Friday morning too, so you’ll never be short of something to do.
Explore the local countryside by joining the hundreds of miles of public footpaths and bridleways reachable from your front door. Walk to the village centre several different ways, stroll to neighbouring village pubs or head to the River Ouse. Many of these routes pass through AONBs or nature reserves, such as Red House Common at neighbouring Chailey.
The village is only 4 miles from the South Downs national park boundary in one direction and Ashdown Forest with its AA Milne connections to another. The National Trust’s nearest property is Sheffield Park Gardens, with the heritage steam Bluebell Railway in the same vicinity.
With such an amazing range of amenities, activities and adventures on your doorstep – along with its Greenwich Meridian Line position – this wonderful family home really feels centred on community life.
Home Nuances:
Viewing strictly by appointment with Bees Homes on 01323 332344. If there is any point which is of particular importance to you, we invite you to discuss this with us, especially before you travel to view the property.
Please Note:
Money Laundering Regulations 2007: Intending purchasers will be asked to produce identification documentation upon acceptance of any offer. We would ask for your cooperation in producing such in order that there will not be a delay in agreeing the sale.
Bees Homes use all reasonable endeavours to supply accurate property information in line with the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. These property details do not constitute any part of the offer or contract and all measurements are approximate. It should not be assumed that this property has all the necessary Planning, Building Regulation or other consents. Any services, appliances and heating system(s) listed have not been checked or tested.
Measurements: These approximate room sizes are only intended as general guidance. You must verify the dimensions carefully before ordering carpets or any built in furniture.