8 bedroom detached house

A delightful Victorian country house with guest/staff cottage and outbuildings surrounded by beautiful gardens and grounds.

Description

Thornhill is an impressive and generously proportioned Victorian country house situated on the outskirts of the village with views over the Surrey Hills.

Thornhill is believed to date back to 1886, constructed of stone under a slate tile hung roof. The accommodation extends to over 12,700 sq ft arranged over three floors, the space is well balanced between formal and informal living, the rooms are light and airy with remarkable ceiling heights throughout.

The reception rooms are accessed off the grand reception hallway which has period features such as parquet flooring and a impressive main staircase.

The principal reception rooms comprise a dining room, drawing room and spectacular wood panelled billiard and sitting room complete with stunning original fireplace. Also, on the ground floor is the large Charlwood designed open plan kitchen/breakfast room which is well equipped with a wraparound island, fitted Miele appliances and an electric Everhot. The kitchen/breakfast room is filled with light by the large skylight and orangery. Window seats can be found throughout the rooms, making the most of the views over the glorious gardens and grounds.

The gym area, indoor heated swimming pool, changing and bathrooms and the laundry room can also be found on the ground floor. Accessed from the ground floor is the substantial basement with external access from ground level which contains a wine cellar.

The first floor has excellent accommodation with a goodsized principal bedroom suite complete with a bathroom and dressing room. There are eight bedrooms on the two upper floors, and four bathrooms.

On the second floor is a study and a self-contained one bedroom flat complete with a sitting room, kitchen and bathroom, ideal for guests or staff. Both the first and second floor benefit from huge landings. The space on the first and second floor is flexible and could be used for a number of uses.

To the east of the house is a cottage believed to have once been the laundry to the main house due to the generous ceiling heights. Constructed of brick under a tile hung roof, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms over 1,600sq ft of accommodation on two floors and a garden, the cottage provides ample accommodation and is ideal as secondary accommodation.

Within the grounds is a traditional barn that could be easily converted for a multitude of uses including stabling.

The gardens and grounds perfectly complement the house and provide an extremely peaceful setting. Privacy is provided by the 19 acres in which the house sits. Thornhill is approached via a wide gravel driveway that leads to the front of the house with a large lawn and parking area. Stepping out through the garden room is a tranquil courtyard which leads to the larger garden area and the paved terrace that runs along the property which provides an excellent setting for al fresco dining.

Thornhill is ideal for entertaining and offers an abundance of entertainment features such as the championship size tennis court and outdoor BBQ kitchen area complete with both a Breeze House and Victorian revolving summerhouse. Additionally, there is a superb outbuilding, formal Victorian walled garden with magnificent kitchen, rose and soft fruit gardens, large greenhouse, rockery, pond, mature specimen trees and woodland. Extending beyond the formal gardens are paddocks.

Location

Located on the outskirts and within walking distance of the delightful village of Ashurst Wood. Ashurst Wood is located within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and is a thriving and well served village with a post office, village shop, church, village hall, a pub and several independent shops and businesses. More extensive shopping facilities can be found in the nearby towns of East Grinstead, and Tunbridge Wells.

The area has excellent road and rail links from the M25 and A22 which provide easy access to London, the south coast, Heathrow and Gatwick international airports. Mainline rail services to London Bridge and Victoria ooperate from East Grinstead station (4.5 miles).

Ashurst Wood has its own small primary school.Preparatory schools in the area include Brambletye, Cumnor House, Holmewood House, Copthorne and Handcross. Secondary schools in the area include Tonbridge, Sevenoaks, Ardingly, Eastbourne and Mayfield.

There are numerous sporting and recreational interests in the area including horse racing at Lingfield Park, golf at Hever Castle, Nizels and Royal Ashdown Golf Club. Sailing and Fishing are also available nearby; sailing at Bough Beech Reservoir and Weir Wood Sailing Club and fishing at Chipstead Lakes. There is an abundance of country walks including Ashdown Forest, cycling and riding to be had in the surrounding area within Groombridge Estate, Wakehurst, Hever Castle and Winston Churchill’s home Chartwell, which are all a short drive away.





Directions

Take the A22 from East Grinstead towards Ashurstwood. Turn left onto Hammerwood Road and continue for approximately 1.8 miles. The property will approach to your right.

Additional Info

Services: Mains water. Mains Electricity. Mains Drainage. Oil Central Heating.
Local Authorities: Wealden District Council: ()
Main House: Tax Band H
Garden Cottage: Tax Band F