MapGuide price
£1,500,0004 bedroom townhouse for sale
Mermaid Street, Rye, East Sussex TN31 7ET
Study
Townhouse
4 beds
3 baths
2,368 sq ft / 220 sq m
EPC rating: D
Key information
Features and description
ROOMS Entrance vestibule, Sitting room, Dining room, Kitchen & breakfast room, Cloakroom, Landing, Drawing room / bedroom, Three further double bedrooms, Study, Bathroom,Two shower rooms, Gas central heating, EPC rating D, Utility room, 90' South facing cottage garden opening into a renowned ''secret'' walled garden 46' x 40' with loggia
LOCATION The House with the Secret Garden occupies a commanding position in iconic Mermaid Street, one of the most picturesque streets in England, directly opposite the world famous Mermaid Inn in the heart of the Conservation Area of the Ancient Town and Cinque Port of Rye, renowned for its historical associations, medieval fortifications and fine period architecture. As well as its charm and history, the town has a comprehensive range of shopping facilities and an active local community, with the arts being strongly represented. Rye Arts Festival and Rye International Jazz Festival are held annually and a two-screen cinema complex is available in Lion Street. From the town there are train services to Ashford with high speed connections London St. Pancras in 37 minutes. Sporting facilities in the area include golf and tennis at Rye, sailing on the south coast and many fine countryside and coastal walks.
DESCRIPTION An important, authentic and atmospheric Grade II Listed period house of fifteenth century origin with an eighteenth-century façade, presenting mellow brick and part tile hung external elevations set with timber sash and casement windows beneath a pitched peg tiled roof. Particular features include exposed timber framing but with 8'6 ceiling heights to the principal rooms, antique floorboards, open fireplaces and a gardeners dream of a garden with extensive mature plants and shrubs, and numerous areas of outdoor seating. The secret walled garden originally forming part of the adjoining National Trust Lamb House gardens having been acquired by the expatriate American novelist and critic Henry James (1843-1916) during his ownership and subsequently re-designed by E F Benson (1867-1940) during the last ten years of his life and to which reference is made to the garden in his "Mapp and Lucia" series of novels.
GROUND FLOOR Steps up with wrought iron balustrade to a panelled front door with a rectangular fanlight over and flat hood supported on brackets above, opening into an entrance vestibule with an inner door to the sitting room, which has two windows overlooking Mermaid Street, exposed timber framing and floorboards, together with matchboard panelling and an open fireplace with brick surrounds and decorative surround. The inner hallway has stairs to the first floor with a storage cupboard beneath. The well proportioned dining room has a part glazed door with windows to either side opening onto the rear terrace, a fireplace with an ornate carved surround, a built-in display cabinet to side and exposed floorboards. The breakfast room has a window to the side, a fitted period dresser unit with glazed upper section and built-in storage cupboard to one side. A wide opening with exposed Tudor brick wall links the kitchen, which has windows to the rear and side, a part vaulted ceiling and a range of shaker style cabinets to three walls with cupboards and drawers beneath wooden worksurfaces, an inset one and a half bowl single drainer sink unit with mixer tap, an integrated dishwasher, space for a fridge freezer, a fireplace housing an Everhot electric range cooker and a part glazed door to the garden and adjacent utility outhouse with plumbing for a washing machine and a wall mounted gas boiler. Also on the ground floor is a cloakroom with a scallop shell wash basin, low level wc and geometric tiled floor.
FIRST FLOOR On the first floor, there is a landing with stairs off to second floor, a drawing room/bedroom with a cast iron fireplace overlooking Mermaid Street and two further double bedrooms with exposed floorboards and timber framing. In addition, there is a study overlooking the rear gardens, a bathroom with period style fitments and a separate shower room.
SECOND FLOOR On the second floor, there is a further double bedroom with a heritage roof window to the front, below eaves storage cupboards and exposed floorboards. Adjacent is a shower room with modern fitments.
OUTSIDE Immediately adjacent to the rear of the house is a terrace with steps leading up to the south facing cottage gardens extending to approximately 90', being flagstone paved, part walled and extensively planted with lavender, verbascum, roses, michaelmas daisies, fuchsia, geranium, agualegia, sweet peas, hebe, virginia creeper, passion flower, euphorbia, fig tree, clematis and jasmine. Charming greenhouse. Full sized garden shed. From the garden a heavy wrought iron gate leads into a "secret" walled garden 46' x 40'. Originally designed by E F Benson as being set down to lawn with broad flower beds extensively planted with roses, lilies, lavaterra, sedum, sweet peas, camelia, budleia, clematis, magnolia, verbascum, hibiscus, fuchsia, a crazy paved pathway to three sides and a central brick ornamental pond. To one corner is an oak framed loggia with two sides open to the garden, brick paved floor and timber panelled walls.
FURTHER INFORMATION Local Authority: Rother District Council. Council Tax Band F
Mains electricity, gas, water and drainage.
Predicted mobile phone coverage: EE, Three and 02
Broadband speed: Superfast 80Mbps available. Source Ofcom
Rivers and sea flood risk summary: Very low risk. Source GOV.UK
LOCATION The House with the Secret Garden occupies a commanding position in iconic Mermaid Street, one of the most picturesque streets in England, directly opposite the world famous Mermaid Inn in the heart of the Conservation Area of the Ancient Town and Cinque Port of Rye, renowned for its historical associations, medieval fortifications and fine period architecture. As well as its charm and history, the town has a comprehensive range of shopping facilities and an active local community, with the arts being strongly represented. Rye Arts Festival and Rye International Jazz Festival are held annually and a two-screen cinema complex is available in Lion Street. From the town there are train services to Ashford with high speed connections London St. Pancras in 37 minutes. Sporting facilities in the area include golf and tennis at Rye, sailing on the south coast and many fine countryside and coastal walks.
DESCRIPTION An important, authentic and atmospheric Grade II Listed period house of fifteenth century origin with an eighteenth-century façade, presenting mellow brick and part tile hung external elevations set with timber sash and casement windows beneath a pitched peg tiled roof. Particular features include exposed timber framing but with 8'6 ceiling heights to the principal rooms, antique floorboards, open fireplaces and a gardeners dream of a garden with extensive mature plants and shrubs, and numerous areas of outdoor seating. The secret walled garden originally forming part of the adjoining National Trust Lamb House gardens having been acquired by the expatriate American novelist and critic Henry James (1843-1916) during his ownership and subsequently re-designed by E F Benson (1867-1940) during the last ten years of his life and to which reference is made to the garden in his "Mapp and Lucia" series of novels.
GROUND FLOOR Steps up with wrought iron balustrade to a panelled front door with a rectangular fanlight over and flat hood supported on brackets above, opening into an entrance vestibule with an inner door to the sitting room, which has two windows overlooking Mermaid Street, exposed timber framing and floorboards, together with matchboard panelling and an open fireplace with brick surrounds and decorative surround. The inner hallway has stairs to the first floor with a storage cupboard beneath. The well proportioned dining room has a part glazed door with windows to either side opening onto the rear terrace, a fireplace with an ornate carved surround, a built-in display cabinet to side and exposed floorboards. The breakfast room has a window to the side, a fitted period dresser unit with glazed upper section and built-in storage cupboard to one side. A wide opening with exposed Tudor brick wall links the kitchen, which has windows to the rear and side, a part vaulted ceiling and a range of shaker style cabinets to three walls with cupboards and drawers beneath wooden worksurfaces, an inset one and a half bowl single drainer sink unit with mixer tap, an integrated dishwasher, space for a fridge freezer, a fireplace housing an Everhot electric range cooker and a part glazed door to the garden and adjacent utility outhouse with plumbing for a washing machine and a wall mounted gas boiler. Also on the ground floor is a cloakroom with a scallop shell wash basin, low level wc and geometric tiled floor.
FIRST FLOOR On the first floor, there is a landing with stairs off to second floor, a drawing room/bedroom with a cast iron fireplace overlooking Mermaid Street and two further double bedrooms with exposed floorboards and timber framing. In addition, there is a study overlooking the rear gardens, a bathroom with period style fitments and a separate shower room.
SECOND FLOOR On the second floor, there is a further double bedroom with a heritage roof window to the front, below eaves storage cupboards and exposed floorboards. Adjacent is a shower room with modern fitments.
OUTSIDE Immediately adjacent to the rear of the house is a terrace with steps leading up to the south facing cottage gardens extending to approximately 90', being flagstone paved, part walled and extensively planted with lavender, verbascum, roses, michaelmas daisies, fuchsia, geranium, agualegia, sweet peas, hebe, virginia creeper, passion flower, euphorbia, fig tree, clematis and jasmine. Charming greenhouse. Full sized garden shed. From the garden a heavy wrought iron gate leads into a "secret" walled garden 46' x 40'. Originally designed by E F Benson as being set down to lawn with broad flower beds extensively planted with roses, lilies, lavaterra, sedum, sweet peas, camelia, budleia, clematis, magnolia, verbascum, hibiscus, fuchsia, a crazy paved pathway to three sides and a central brick ornamental pond. To one corner is an oak framed loggia with two sides open to the garden, brick paved floor and timber panelled walls.
FURTHER INFORMATION Local Authority: Rother District Council. Council Tax Band F
Mains electricity, gas, water and drainage.
Predicted mobile phone coverage: EE, Three and 02
Broadband speed: Superfast 80Mbps available. Source Ofcom
Rivers and sea flood risk summary: Very low risk. Source GOV.UK
Property information from this agent
About this agent
Phillips & Stubbs – a regional property consultancy with a national profile at home in Rye LOCAL KNOWLEDGE – BETTER RESULTS We know every square mile and having an intimate knowledge of the local area and market enables us to get outstanding results for our clients. Whilst we may never compete with the large, corporate concerns in terms of their financial might and self promotion, they can never get close to the local community in the way that we can and develop those all important long term relationships on which the success of our business and reputation is built. Knowing the various micro-markets that make-up the local property scene and forging affinities with individuals in those communities over a long period of time gives us a deeper understanding and permits us to make those all important connections that go beyond conventional marketing. Despite all the advances in technology, this business is still very much a people business and local ‘know-how’ is often the difference between success and failure. COASTAL & COUNTRY We understand that particular properties require a bespoke, lifestyle approach and our Coastal and Country brand gives us the platform to market intriguing properties of merit using a tailored service built around a team of experienced professionals specialising in their field, high impact marketing and a clear understanding of the local market. One of the UK’s natural treasures is its unique coastline. Often charming, sometimes awe-inspiring, never boring, it is not surprising that so many people choose to live along the 7,760 miles of UK coast. We are acutely aware that properties with a sea view or located in close proximity to the beach are among the most sought-after for the lifestyle opportunities they provide. It’s the dream of many to live on the coast and in response to this strong demand we have set up a dedicated coastal service for the discerning buyer. It is a distinct market with different forces at work to the mainstream one and characteristics requiring our deep level of local knowledge that our team can use to deliver outstanding results through innovative marketing for our clients. Just as we benefit from a unique and historic coastline, so the inland rural areas, villages and market towns are exceptionally beautiful being both diverse in nature, from the rolling countryside of the High Weald to the low lying plains of Romney Marsh, and wide ranging in style with a high density of architecturally interesting buildings and Grade II listed properties including converted outbuildings, old farmhouses and charming cottages, which collectively ‘have been slowly and richly coloured by the personality of the people who have dwelt in them these hundreds of years. One may say of them that they are of the colour of English history’. W. Beach Thomas. Such unique properties demand particular attention and a focus on the special qualities of an individual property through tailored marketing rather than a ‘one size fits all approach’ in order to ensure you get the best possible outcome. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION It is the advice you hear from us all the time and we apply it to ourselves. Our distinctive office in Rye occupies a high profile, corner position which ensures your property will get noticed. It also has a contemporary feel reflecting our forward thinking approach whilst being conducive to discussing business and property related matters in a relaxed yet professional environment. Rye is a destination of choice for people and often the starting point for their property search, not just in the town but right across the wider area as many people are simply too ‘time-poor’ to travel around the outlying villages to register with estate agents, thereby, making them increasingly irrelevant whilst boosting our own profile as a regional property hub. In addition, we open 7 days a week and most Bank Holidays to make sure we take full advantage of any opportunity to market your property. It is vitally important to maintain this presence given that high number of buyers who come to this area from London looking to relocate or to buy a second home and yet the vast majority of estate agents are closed for business on these prime viewing days. We find it bizarre in this day and age but we are not complaining! STYLE & SUBSTANCE Contemporary marketing is integral to our business. From branding to advertising, from how our office looks to the bespoke brochures we produce using floor plans, professional photography, dusk shots and aerial images and through our online presence and the use of social media channels, journalist interviews and historical research on individual houses, we are committed to constantly evolving our marketing approach to ensure your property is shown to maximum advantage. The benefits are greater awareness and better results for both us and our clients. A STRONG ONLINE PRESENCE Over 80% of all property searches begin online and so it is a very important factor when it comes to marketing but in order to differentiate your property in an overcrowded market there is in our view a need to go beyond simply replicating what can be seen on the main property portals on our own website. Accordingly, our website continues to develop to become a valuable resource for anyone looking to buy or rent property by providing additional information about individual houses and the locality and has an interactive design delivering an enhanced experience. In addition, individual micro-sites with extra features can be created for an individual property. PARTNERSHIP We see our relationship with our clients as a partnership. We all have a stake in the result and the importance of focusing and working together is vital in getting the best result for our client. Like any relationship, communication is vital in understanding what each party wants to achieve. Any estate agent would covet the opportunity to market your property on your behalf and at the outset you will probably see plenty of enthusiasm but often the activity can tail off if there is no early result. Not every property sells within a few weeks, of course, but from the outset we agree a marketing strategy with you that has regular reviews built-in to it to ensure your property remains firmly at the forefront of our minds. By working together it takes less energy and time and creates a better understanding and appreciation of the outcome. As an independent firm with a ‘can-do’ attitude and a business built on professionalism, energy, enthusiasm and extensive knowledge, we understand it is the quality of service we offer to clients that determines our success and we are particularly proud of the repeat business and recommendations we get from satisfied clients. LET ME SELL YOU A SECRET Evoking Robert Cialdini’s Scarcity Principle of Influence, there are certain circumstances where it may be advantageous for a property owner to sell off-market and we have a discreet service aimed at search agents and specific buyers who have clearly defined criteria.