5 bedroom detached house for sale

Bolney Cottage

A home plucked from a storybook, with enchanting views out over the rolling downland countryside and nestled in 4.5 acres of land, enjoy all the comfort of country living at Bolney Cottage, whilst retaining easy links to the glitz and glamour of the City.

Fairytale setting

A characterful home, formerly two cottages now combined to create one spacious family home, Bolney Cottage, in Bolney, lies within the legendary West Sussex Golden Triangle, enveloped by countryside yet with fantastic road and rail access into London and Gatwick Airport for commuters.

A cherished home, improved over the last three decades by its current owners, pull up along the driveway where the Grade-II listed Bolney Cottage stands proudly. Dating back to the late 1700s, Bolney Cottage has been extended both in the Georgian and Victorian eras, resulting in a home that transcends the years.

With ample parking to be found along the driveway and in the double car port, step through into the main entrance hall from beneath the shelter of the portico by the front door.

A warm welcome

Sense the instant warmth of welcome upon arrival, making your way through to the right into the spacious dining room. A light and cheerful room, built-in storage to either side of the brick fireplace with its open fire is ideal for dinnerware. Ideal at Christmas or when hosting dinner parties, this festive room offers enchanting views out to the leafy surrounds and provides access down to the cellar (also accessible from outside).

A series of steps leads down into the open-plan kitchen breakfast room, the sociable hub of the home. Part of a 1930s extension to Bolney Cottage, and recently reconfigured to provide an open, modern kitchen-diner, sage green and soft grey combine for a country contemporary feel.

Sociable hub

Awash with light, wide windows offer enriching views out over the garden and fields. Savour the views at mealtimes, as you cook up a feast on the Aga with separate Aga electric double oven for the summer months. Granite countertops provide plenty of preparation space and integrated appliances include a dishwasher and fridge freezer, alongside a large Belfast sink.

OWNER QUOTE: “As you look out of the kitchen window you can see autumn leaves, and the vineyard behind the oak tree and the Downs beyond. It feels rural but it’s actually really well connected.”

Built-in speakers feature to the ceiling, with a television point to one end of this sociable space. With room for ten or so around the kitchen table, informal dining is at the heart of this room, with access out to the garden via a stable door in the adjoining utility room, where there is plumbing for a washing machine and dryer in addition to another Belfast sink.

OWNER QUOTE: “We call it the ‘magic table’ – we often sit down for dinner and find ourselves still talking and listening to music in the early hours.”

Work from home

From the kitchen breakfast room, step up to the office, where windows frame verdant views out to the rear of the home. A relaxing retreat, perfect for those working from home, enjoy peace and privacy whilst remaining connected to the rest of the home.

Beyond the office, a central hallway offers access to the cloaks cupboard and downstairs WC with wash basin, handy for guests.

Room for all

Carry on through into the light, bright and yet cosy drawing room, where lattice leaded windows to the front and rear invite the outdoors in, and a log-burning stove crackles merrily within its brick surround. Alcoves to either side are handy for storage, with exposed beams embellishing the ceiling above. Echoing its origins as two cottages, a staircase leads up to provide access to a selection of bedrooms from here, but for now continue through into the sitting room.

Cosy haven

The heart of the home, the impressive original inglenook fireplace commands attention, filling the room with welcoming warmth from the large open fire within. Blazing with music and conviviality, share a bottle of wine with friends in this embracing winter room, the embodiment of comfort. Beams adorn the ceiling above with wooden flooring underfoot.

Returning to the entrance hall, a staircase ascends to the first-floor landing, where the first of the bedrooms can be found ahead. Warm and welcoming, two built-in wardrobes provide plenty of storage. Off the landing is a further family bathroom, complete with shower over bath.

Off this landing, discover a second spacious bedroom, overlooking the leafy rear garden, currently serving as a study, demonstrating the flexibility of the spaces at Bolney Cottage.

Sanctuary of sleep

Also off this landing lies the peaceful and serene principal suite, offering enchanting views out over the fields and down to the vineyard. Refresh and revive in the ensuite to the master, furnished with power shower. A Jack ‘n’ Jill style ensuite, there is access back through to the inner landing, connecting with the other half of the cottage.

Along this landing lies another bathroom and two further bedrooms, which lie to either side of the second staircase, leading down to the sitting room.

OWNER QUOTE: “It’s great fun for children to have their own staircase and sitting room.”

A home with flexibility and versatility at its core, configure the bedrooms to your own needs, with plenty of room for families to come together and enjoy space and separation.

Enchanted gardens

Enveloping Bolney Cottage, 4.5 acres of paddock and garden offer a seamless connection with nature. Divided into two paddocks, the majority of the land is ideal for equestrian pursuits, served by a trio of stables and a field shelter, with half an acre of dedicated gardens for children to play in and adults to relax and entertain.

Mainly laid to lawn and softened by mature planting that harmonises beautifully with the surrounding landscape, soak up the sunshine on the terraces, or stoke up the coals at the barbecue station, all the while admiring the captivating views out over the Downs.

A family home at heart, the treehouse nestled in the garden provides a storybook setting for children to explore and play, capturing the enchanting essence of an Enid Blyton-esque childhood.

Other outbuildings include a barn, a workshop and a tack room, alongside the double car port, where there is additional parking space for motorbikes.

Out and about

Balancing tranquil countryside living with connectivity, Bolney Cottage blends the best of both worlds.

A haven for outdoor enthusiasts, bridleways just a short hack from home offer ample opportunities for pony rides and rural adventures. A dog walker’s paradise, there is an extensive network of footpaths close by.

Next door, discover the Bolney Wine Estate, featuring a delightful café and restaurant where you can savour locally produced wines and seasonal dishes. Also close by, The Cider Tap, an apple farm, serves artisanal cider, pizzas, snacks, and a selection of beers and wines - a vibrant community hub.

For foodies, dining options are plentiful, including Michelin-starred restaurants such as The Pass at South Lodge, Gravetye Manor, and The Interlude, all within 30 minutes’ drive. Closer to home, a variety of village pubs and gastro pubs are within walking distance, for cosy drinks and homecooked food.

Rural, but not remote, Haywards Heath station, just 15 minutes away, offers trains to London Bridge or Victoria in less than an hour. Gatwick Airport is a mere 20 minutes’ drive away, while Heathrow is reachable in around an hour. Major motorway links, including the M23 and M25, are also within easy reach.

Families are ideally situated: St Peter’s Primary School is within walking distance, while Handcross Park School, a preparatory school, is just 15 minutes away. Independent schools including Hurstpierpoint College, Ardingly College, Worth School and Brighton College are all nearby.

Golf enthusiasts can choose from several prestigious clubs, including Singing Hills and West Sussex Golf Club, as well as smaller courses like those at Devils Dyke. For pampering and fitness, you can find facilities at South Lodge and Ockenden Manor, while horse racing at Goodwood and Plumpton and polo at Knepp and Cowdray Park provide further entertainment.

Set in the heart of the countryside yet within easy reach of city conveniences, Bolney Cottage truly offers the best of both worlds - privacy, nature, character, comfort and practicality in equal measure.

Whilst every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the fixtures and fittings mentioned throughout, items included in sale are to be discussed at the time of offering