A vision of light
A truly grand design, this home offers versatile, light-filled living on the cusp of the Ashdown Forest. Secluded and set back from the hustle and bustle, seek sanctuary within the light filled rooms.
Thoughtfully and lovingly built, this home is set upon the site of an old reservoir, elements of which can still be seen from a number of the rooms. Architect driven in its design, This home features a motif of angled glasswork and ceilings, confidently pushing out to the rear to provide balconies and elevated terraces that ensure the outdoors is never far away.
OWNER QUOTE: “We had great input throughout, but the roof is very much the architect’s vision. The home is a vision of light and spaciousness”
Versatile living
Built on the footprint of the original reservoir, this home offers vast, lateral, light-filled living. Future proofed and accessible for all, this family home is ability conscious in its design, with ramp access to the front, wide doorways and a lift. Its cleverly versatile design also allows for the lower floor to exist as a lockable one- or three-bedroom self-contained apartment – ideal for a nanny or multigenerational living. The scope to live life to a manner of your own choosing is endless.
Eco credentials
Totally airtight and built to very high eco-standards, featuring a ground source heat pump for heating and hot water, triple glazing, high levels of insulation to all walls and roof meaning minimal heat loss, and LED lighting features throughout. There is also a 10,000 litre rainwater harvester which runs the washing machines, toilets and outside taps. When full, this overspills to the pond at the bottom of garden, from where water can be drawn all year round for the garden and general outside use.
OWNER QUOTE: “This home is extremely eco-friendly and therefore economical to run ”
Take a tour
Pull through the electric gated entrance and onto the broad driveway, embellished by an attractive turning circle featuring excavated sandstone from the plot. With ample parking, there is also an EVC point in the spacious double garage.
Undeniably a show stopping entrance, make your way indoors where tall windows to the front and a glass ceiling drawing down the blue sky from above fill the capacious entrance hall with light.
Captivating the eye, a floating glass and oak finished central staircase rises up ahead, whilst gleaming tiled flooring reflects the light for a most airy and ambient arrival home. A mirrored lift also provides helpful access to the first floor.
Leisure time
A door to the right provides access to the large double garage, whilst next door, arrive at the convivial games room and bar, with bifold doors which open out to the garden. Birdsong fills the air from the secluded garden, with a hot tub privately set to a far corner beneath the boughs. There is also a handy storeroom, the original pump house, beneath the poop deck…a south-facing suntrap to be explored a little later…
Opening up from this room is the utility room, where there is a sink alongside plumbing for a washer and dryer. Tucked off here is a handy ground floor cloakroom with wash basin and WC.
Carpeted and painted in plush purple, a sociable cinema room also opens up from the games room. Throughout the home, a number of doors and windows are illuminated by blue LED strip lighting whilst underfloor heating prevails throughout.
Flexible living
Reconnecting with the entrance hall, make your way left to an inner hallway coated in plush cream carpet, where an ensuite bedroom – the first of six – awaits to the right. Dressed in shades of duck egg, this elegant bedroom features a glazed door opening out to the private garden and is also served by a shower room ensuite with vanity unit wash basin and WC.
Along the hallway a second spacious bedroom embellished with dusky pink hues features a large ensuite bathroom with bath containing overhead shower, heated towel radiator, twin vanity unit wash basins and WC. Access out to the garden is once again assured by a glazed door – the outdoors is never far away from this beautiful family home, a home in sync with its surroundings.
Beyond, discover the lavishly sized kitchen-dining-living room, with access through bifolding doors out to the front drive. With a brightly decorated double bedroom tucked off this living area (naturally served by its own ensuite shower room) there is potential to shut this section off and maintain it as a one-bedroom self-contained apartment, or indeed utilise this section of the home as a three-bedroom self-contained apartment.
Elevate your expectations
Glide up the floating glass and oak staircase and emerge into the brightest of spaces, as natural light pours down from the high skylights above. Overhead, spectacular lighting is bespoke fitted to the beams.
OWNER QUOTE: “Even in winter we rarely have to put the lights on as the house is filled with natural light.”
To the front of this space discover the music room with its walk on glass that illuminates below. A fun area to gather with family and friends, overlooking the forest beyond.
Make your way through to the main bedroom on the left. A bountiful bedroom, it is preceded by a large dressing room with a window overlooking the surrounding countryside. With ample space for the existing freestanding wardrobes, this spacious room also has the flexibility to serve as a nursery should you wish.
Light flows in through the bifolding doors which open to a sunny balcony, amplified by the double height ceiling, in which a skylight draws down further light. Open or close the electrically controlled roof lights which feature throughout. Relax and revive in the large ensuite bathroom, furnished with a spa bath, shower, two wash basins and WC.
OWNER QUOTE: “I love laying in bed and looking out over the forest with a morning coffee.”
Come the summer months, throw the bifolds open and allow the indoors to experience indoor-outdoor living.
Turning left out of this bedroom, you’ll pass a handy cloakroom before arriving at another interesting and versatile room.
First, sneak a peek at another ensuite bathroom, furnished with bath, separate shower, wash basin, heated towel radiator and WC.
Steps lead up to a split level, ideal for a double bed but currently accommodating a sofa bed. Ladder stairs lead up to a playroom and study with skylights; an utterly unique, versatile and evocative space.
Off the first-floor landing there is a sixth double bedroom with Juliet balcony overlooking the rear garden, served by its own shower room ensuite. Each ensuite bathroom features automatic courtesy lighting, ideal at nighttime.
A sociable flow
A home in harmony with the outdoors, the main living space sees geometry, open-plan living and light combine. Clever, and respectful proportions provide free flowing sociable spaces, subtly zoned to offer elements of privacy, whilst the views out over the garden to the woodland are enduring.
Leaving the bedrooms behind, proceed to the dining area, where sliding patio doors open out to the affectionately nicknamed “poop deck”. Located above the aforementioned former pump house for the reservoir, ideal for alfresco dining. Sunny and south facing, this wonderful breakfast space basks in the sunlight throughout the day.
Opening up off the dining area is a spacious lounge, where the triangular skylights captivate the eye. Carpeted in grey and with a Juliet balcony drawing in verdant views, this living space is ideal for both relaxing and entertaining.
OWNER QUOTE: “It’s a great house for entertaining because of the open space, and amazing lighting”
Feast your eyes
From the lounge, transition through to the epicurean epicentre of the home, the contemporary bespoke Koop Furniture kitchen. Reflecting the angles of the roof and windows, a triangular breakfast bar is lowered to provide universal access. Gleaming tiles underfoot reflect light flowing in from multiple windows. Aside from a full height integrated Siemens fridge and freezer, the kitchen has Neff appliances throughout including a dishwasher, two ovens, one featuring a pyrolytic self-cleaning with plate warming drawer, a large induction hob with pop up extractor and Quooker instant boiling tap. This comprehensively equipped kitchen also features recycling bin storage and a large tea and coffee cupboard, hidden away behind closed doors. Touch open and close drawers provide an abundance of storage.
Enjoy morning coffee alfresco whatever the weather, opening the dual aspect bifold doors to access a covered balcony overlooking the rural vistas.
Outdoor oasis
Explore the different pockets of privacy to be found in the secluded gardens. In addition to the abundance of lawn, pond and trees to the front, to the rear, the dropped garden has a sheltered and peaceful feel.
Discover a storeroom in the old pump house beneath the poop deck, two astro-turfed areas with space for a hot tub and different tucked away areas for children to play in safety and security. The storeroom would lend itself to conversion to a sauna room/gym/garden room if so desired. There is also a workshop in yet another outbuilding which used to house a water tank for the reservoir as well as a large chalet.
On your doorstep
With plenty to explore and discover on your doorstep, pull on your boots and head outdoors. Experience the comfort and warmth of olde worlde England at The Chequers Inn, your village pub nestled on the edge of Ashdown Forest as well as the Foresters Arms at Fairwarp which is less than a mile away. Maresfield is also home to a Post Office and village shop, with a thriving community vibe – there are numerous groups and societies you may choose to join.
Incredible walks await on the doorstep. Follow in Winnie the Pooh’s footsteps with an amble through Ashdown Forest, famed as the magical woodland that inspired the AA Milne stories – only moments away across the road.
Explore acres of landscaped gardens at nearby Sheffield Park or take a 30-minute drive to escape to the seaside at Eastbourne.
Commuting is convenient with hourly train services to London Bridge taking around an hour and a quarter from Uckfield or Buxted. You can always change for links into Victoria. By car, the journey to London T5 takes just over an hour with Gatwick accessible in 30 minutes. For day trips, why not visit the quirky and historic county town of Lewes, only 15 minutes away, to browse the boutiques and sample the cakes in the inviting cafes.
Families are well served by a range of local schools, including many independent schools accessible within 30 minutes, such as Greenfields, Skippers Hill Manor, Brambletye School and many more.
A versatile home that can suit a range of needs, and one that grows with its owners, coming to life with people in it. Flexible, inspirational, totally bespoke and utterly unique, and a home that cannot be imitated; it’s one of a kind.
Home Nuances
– Multigenerational living
– Six double-bedrooms (all ensuite)
– Cinema & games room
– An ultra-modern bifurcated central staircase
– Built-in kitchen appliances
– Eco-efficient features
– Mirrored internal Aritco lift
– Self-contained apartment
– LED lighting throughout
– Triple glazing
– Wall connector EV charging point
– Approx. 6550 sq/ft inc. Outbuildings
– “Highly Commended – Best Individual New Home 2019 – Regional Award” – LABC
Grounds & Location:
– Double garage & plenty of parking space
– Workshop & store room
– Electric gated drive
– 5ft deep pond approx 150 sqm
– Easy access to Ashdown Forest
– 0.7 miles to Maresfield Post Office/Amazon counter
– 6 miles to Cumnor House at Dane Hill
– 10.7 miles to Mayfield School
– 13.6 miles to Bede’s Senior School
– 3 Championship golf clubs within 10 miles
– 2.9 miles to Buxted train station
– 4.3 miles to Uckfield train station
– 21.3 miles to London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
– Within 1 hour and 34 minutes direct to London Victoria from Uckfield or Buxted train station
Services:
– Ground source heat pump / underfloor heating
– 10,000-litre rainwater harvester
– Mains sewerage & electricity
– Up to 944mbps, the fastest available broadband speed
– Council Tax G
Book your viewing today or for a brochure of this home call the Bees Homes country office.
Viewing strictly by appointment with Bees Homes.
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.
Floor plan 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.
For a brochure of this unique home please call the Bees Homes country office on 01323 332344.
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Buyer Identification:
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