8 bedroom detached house for sale

Just minutes' walk from sea views at the Birling Gap and the iconic Seven Sisters, comes the opportunity to join a legacy of homeowners at this historic home in Friston.

Offering one of the finest views in Sussex, out over the South Downs, and nestled alongside Friston Forest, affording it the sense of sitting within its own 300-acre estate.

Heritage of the home
A house of rich historical importance, an Edwardian home dating back to 1901, was only the second home to be built here by the Maitlands, a gentleman farming family - owners of the iconic Friston Place.

With an intriguing catalogue of former residents, including RAF officers from RAF Friston during WW2 and even a secret agent, there is much history to uncover about this home in local history books.

Historic home reloved
Substantially renovated by the current owners, this East Sussex home has been renovated inside and out to the highest of standards, with windows and doors replaced, restoration of fireplaces and the re-establishment of Edwardian style sockets and switches throughout. Extensive, designer-led, garden landscaping has also taken place.

OWNER QUOTE: "We took it on because wanted to do our bit so the next owner can inherit a slice of local history - we turned it into a passion."

Enchanting approach
Approaching into the sweeping driveway, you are gifted your first real taste of the stunning views out over the countryside and woodland.

Fresh white, successional planting featuring hellebores and bulbs, flanks the driveway upon approach, creating a calming, peaceful arrival home. There is ample space for guest parking on the driveway alongside a triple garage with electric door and external sensor lighting. A second driveway, ideal for the annex, offers further space for two cars.

OWNER QUOTE: "From the driveway you just don't expect this panoramic view - it stretches 15-20 miles across the valley."

A warm welcome
Belying its grand façade, beyond the freshly painted front door, the spacious entrance hall embraces you as though you were a long-lost friend.

Beyond the sheltered, Minton tiled portico and lobby with cloakroom to the side, the entrance hall opens up, dressed in Ralph Lauren wallpaper in shades of shimmering silver, grey and dove grey, harmonising with the heritage of the home.

Whereas in some homes a hallway is just a route to another room, here, the entrance hall is a palatial destination. Glance up to see the handsome staircase rising tantalisingly up to three floors.

OWNER QUOTE: "There is a wonderful feeling of space, it's a real luxury. Yet it's a home with such feminine warmth."

Immediately, the architectural detail and high quality of the build can be felt in the wood panelling on the stairs, the high ceilings and architraves, impressive, reinstated fireplaces, high skirtings and ceiling rose, characterful brass light switches and plate detail on the doors and the typically Edwardian glazed door opening out to the terrace, drawing in an abundance of light.

OWNER QUOTE: "People think that due to its size the home will feel daunting - but it's very relaxed - it embraces you upon entry."

Wine and dine
European oak herringbone flooring is replaced by carpet in the dining room, where the broad bay window frames glorious garden views, the perfect seasoning to any dinner party. Throughout, large rooms feel spacious without being vacuous.

The ideal room for gatherings and celebrations, the elegantly carved fireplace beneath the alcove is illuminated by stained-glass windows to the sides, creating such a warm and inviting ambience.

Crossing the entrance hall, arched alcoves draw you in once more in the sitting room, a cosy retreat of a room, recently redecorated in serene cream, carpeted underfoot and heated by the comforting log burner.

Feature stained glass features once more, with large windows to the side alongside direct access out to the garden. Crystal chandelier lighting, nestled within a ceiling rose, refracts down throughout the room.

Next door, stunning panelling features in the study, a light, bright room with a bountiful box bay window overlooking the front garden, where successional planting offers all-season colour and interest.

Beautifully carved fireplaces instil such warmth throughout, and a nod to the pre-electricity heritage of this Edwardian home. In the study a French antique Deville Hiver stove is inset within this original fireplace, a toasty centrepiece. A cupboard off the study offers ample space for the storage of instruments or sports equipment and features a beautiful window.

Feast your eyes
Make your way through into the capacious kitchen, preceded by a door that provides access down to the cellar.

Soft shades of Farrow & Ball's French Grey and cream mingle in this sociable hub, where the large European oak island-breakfast bar is furnished with a Caple induction hob and downdraught extractor, set beneath hand beaten copper pendant lights.

Fall in love with the calmness of this serene Neptune kitchen, hand painted and with handmade Edwardian tiles inset behind the Aga, illuminated by recessed lighting. Further fitted appliances include a Neff double oven and plate warmer, Bosch dishwasher and larder fridge-freezer.

Savour the sunset
Dine by the window, watching for the golden hour, just before sunset, when the colours of the trees in the valley below change from green to burnished orange, filling the room with light. Silver crystal chandeliers refract rainbow light from the sunset, for a magical experience. Glazed double doors invite you out to soak up the splendour of the sunset from the infinity patio, with bespoke, curved oak handrail.

Sneak a peek in the utility room, where further storage awaits, alongside a sink, inset within granite worktops, and plumbing for a washer-dryer. A bespoke heated towel radiator is handy for drying laundry.

And so to bed...
Returning to the entrance hall ascend the elegant staircase, with its stair rods and cream Laura Ashley bespoke carpet runner, passing the large window on the turn that invites an indulgence of light through. Views extend over the ilex hedging in the front garden.

Rustic wooden flooring greets you on the lavishly sized, first floor landing, where the first of the guest bedrooms awaits on the left.

Bathed in light from the large bay window, soothing shades of grey and white in the Sanderson wallpaper evoke a soporific ambience as warmth emanates from the beautifully detailed traditional style radiators. Fitted wardrobes provide storage, whilst the ornate arched alcove motif recurs, accommodating an original fireplace and elegant leaded lights to either side.

Rest and refresh
Next door, monochrome tiling pays homage to the heritage of the home in the large bathroom, where white metro bricks surround the bath with its traditional faucets. Spacious and bright, with moss green and white walls, there is also a large, separate shower.

Across the landing, on the right lies a second sizeable bedroom, where green wallpaper with a pheasant pattern is reminiscent of the rural backdrop. Fitted storage is available, with stunning views out over the valley. A red brick fireplace offers cosy comfort from within its recessed alcove, as light pours in through the small windows to either side of the chimney breast. Refresh and revive in the large shower room ensuite, with ample built-in storage available.

Sweet dreams
Sanctuary awaits next door, in the principal bedroom. Bright and bountiful, there is so much space for storage, with a Little Greene bronze red feature wall bringing out the floral pattern in the original fireplace. Original built-in wardrobes also feature. Wake up to incredible, ever-changing views out over the valley.

Make your way up once more, to the next level, where light serenades the second-floor landing through a wide window.

From this spacious landing, turn right to arrive at a fourth spacious bedroom, with high, sloping ceiling. Fitted storage features throughout the bedrooms, with room for all your clothes.

Enjoy a luxurious soak in the rolltop bath with showerhead attachment, in the upper floor bathroom, where light pours in through a large Velux window. There is also a separate, Metro tiled, shower.

A second bedroom on this floor currently houses twin beds, perfect for younger children, with another bedroom next door offering elevated views out over the valley and an original feature fireplace. With so many spacious bedrooms there is versatility to create hobby rooms, snug lounges and games rooms, or even to requisition this floor as a self-contained suite for multigenerational living.

OWNER QUOTE: "The house just makes you smile; every window has a vista. It is such a pretty house with so many architectural details and quality."

Annex
Attached to the home is the annex, former servants' quarters, that have been beautifully refurbished to offer additional, private accommodation.

Accessed along its own separate driveway and with its own private area of garden, the two-bedroom annex is furnished with bathrooms and a large open-plan dining kitchen-living room, making the most of the fantastic views out over the valley.

Currently run as a successful Airbnb, there is scope to reintegrate the annex into the main home, should you prefer.

The Gardens

The jewel in the crown is its the lovingly landscaped gardens, designed nine years ago by award winning garden designer Juliet Sargeant, who won Gold at RHS Chelsea flower show for her work 'Modern Slavery'.

Formality and flair
Successional planting provides interest all year round from the main drive, whilst formal ilex hedging and a variety of bulbs, shrubs and grasses feature to the front, with sorbus trees providing a pop of autumnal colour.

Sensational orange, gold and scarlet burst forth from the sumac tree to the left of the path leading to the home in autumn, with a raised bed to the right brimming with winter flowers, followed by evergreen perennials, clematis, bulbs and winter jasmine.

Sunny retreat
Indian sandstone patios and solid cedar raised beds soak up the sunshine from sunrise 'til sunset, offering spectacular views.

Ilex balls create formality in the courtyard garden, where climbing hydrangeas and red blossoming Japanese quince create a striking scene.

Brushing alongside the beds of lavender that line the walkway to the side of the home releases a peaceful aroma, as you pass the tree anemones, wisteria and colourful climbing roses.

The walk ends at an eye-catching urn, and from here you can make your way down the steps into another lavender garden, with a tinkling fountain at its centre, so peaceful and soothing. Ahead, the main lawn stretches out into the distance.

Stop and smell the roses
A pergola, festooned in rambling roses and clematis comes alive at night when illuminated, whilst to the left, rose beds with delphiniums and agapanthus and evergreen jasmine offer a spectacular smell when relaxing on the patio in summertime.

Behind the peonies lies a bed filled with hostas and ferns, as a terracotta-pot water feature spills over.

From the lavender garden, discover the main patio, whose infinity edge is planted with various successional shrubs, which flower in intervals throughout the year.

Bespoke oak balustrading lines both sides of the steps leading down into the main garden, where beautiful beds planted with roses and hibiscus trees offer scent and delightful colour.

OWNER QUOTE: "You can't buy sunsets like these. There are so many things that lift your whole day, the UNESCO dark sky sights, the milky way stars and electrical storms. It's a combination of everything."

How does your garden grow?
To the right, a shingled herb garden is planted with a variety of herbs throughout the year, with two junior bay trees nestled in front of the potting shed.

Further down, a lower patio is set amongst the silver weeping pear, which bears beautiful blossom in spring and fruits with tiny ornamental pears in the autumn.

Pause a while by the lily pond with its rose planting and shingle path lined with saxifrage and pinks as you move on to the raised bed kitchen garden and greenhouse.

The cut flower garden follows, with a stunning stone feature to its centre, with practical places such as the composting area, and mini orchard filled with greengage, apples, plums and pear.

From the orchard, continue down to the bottom end of the main lawn to the pleached hornbeam, acers and osmanthus.

Wildlife haven
Also accessed from the lavender garden down a flight of steps is the crocus and wildflower lawn, which slopes down to the beehives with creeping thyme framing the wildlife pond, planted for impact and to encourage nature.

Make your way down the steps to the furthest reaches of the garden, where we come to the limit of the flint walls, but not the garden, where the snowdrop filled meadow leads down and the woodland awaits...

OWNER QUOTE: "The garden has been an unexpected joy in the whole process."

Out and about
Situated off the A259, Little Friston is nestled between Brighton and Eastbourne, so whilst retaining a rural setting, it is by no means remote.

Sea views await within a three-minute walk of home on the approach to Crowlink and Birling Gap is a picturesque 3-mile walk where the majesty of The Seven Sisters, a series of chalk sea cliffs, a historic heritage point, awaits. Lose yourself in panoramic views out to sea.

Right on the doorstep is Friston Pond, dating back to Saxon times, it is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, home to a wide array of wildlife.

Just five minutes' walk away a bus stop can be found, with routes running every ten minutes into Brighton or Eastbourne. You don't even need to take the car to get out and about.

Hidden away but with fantastic access to the local towns and cities, while being an historic, warm and welcoming home overflowing with quality, character and versatility.

The ideal forever home, lending itself to multigenerational living whilst not being limited by its size.

OWNER QUOTE: "It has been a privilege to live here."

A home in which your family can stretch out and grow, and a home whose depth of beauty and wonder can only truly be appreciated by living within the warm embrace of its walls.

Book your viewing today or for a brochure of this home call the Bees Homes country office.

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.

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Council Tax Band: G
Tenure: Freehold