Ashdown House Preparatory School, Forest Row, East

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ASHDOWN HOUSE PREPARATORY SCHOOL, FOREST ROW, EAST SUSSEX, RH18 5JY PRESTIGIOUS FORMER INDEPENDENT BOARDING AND DAY SCHOOL WITH EXTENSIVE GROUNDS SET WITHIN THE ASHDOWN FOREST geraldeve.com 1 ASHDOWN HOUSE PREPARATORY SCHOOL, FOREST ROW, EAST SUSSEX, RH18 5JY 2 ASHDOWN HOUSE PREPARATORY SCHOOL, FOREST ROW, EAST SUSSEX, RH18 5JY The Opportunity

• Former independent boarding and day school set within a serene location overlooking Ashdown Forest • Founded in 1876 and designed by the famous architect Benjamin Latrobe • Impressive Grade II* listed building constructed in 1794 with extensive educational facilities • Substantial playing fields and sports amenities • Excellent connectivity with access to the A22 and M25 motorway and close to Gatwick Airport • Gross internal floor area of approximately 7,219 sq m (77,699 sq ft) • Site of c. 32 acres (12 hectares) • Freehold interest • Suitable for educational use (D1 or C2 use) or alternative uses subject to planning permission

ASHDOWN HOUSE PREPARATORY SCHOOL, FOREST ROW, EAST SUSSEX, RH18 5JY 3 History

The school’s main building, Ashdown House, was originally constructed in 1794 for the then owner of the Estate Trayton Fuller as their residence. In 1793, John Trayton Fuller acquired the estate known as Lavertye, originally a small manor subsidiary to Brambletye.

The Grade II* listed main school building was designed by the famous architect Benjamin Latrobe, who is best known for designing The United States Capitol building and the portico on the front of The White House in Washington, D.C. The design of Ashdown House was known by many as a prelude to what John Latrobe went on to design in the United States.

The manor house remained in the ownership of the Fuller family until it was sold in 1876 for use as a preparatory school and it has remained in use as a preparatory school until July 2020. The school is rich with heritage and tradition and is well known for its high-profile alumni.

Over 225 years of history

4 ASHDOWN HOUSE PREPARATORY SCHOOL, FOREST ROW, EAST SUSSEX, RH18 5JY ASHDOWN HOUSE PREPARATORY SCHOOL, FOREST ROW, EAST SUSSEX, RH18 5JY 5 Location

Ashdown House Preparatory School is located within the A264 BLACKHAM County of East Sussex on the western edge of the village A264 HOLTYE of Forest Row around 12 miles to the west of the town of London Road Tunbridge Wells and 34 miles to the south of Central London. HAMMERWOOD The surrounding location is rural in character and is situated to the east of Ashdown Forest within the High Weald Area of B2026

Outstanding Natural Beauty. EAST GRINSTEAD A22 The school is easily accessible by road with the A22 being two miles to the west of the property providing access to the M25 approximately 16 miles to the north. The A23 and A26 are also located within the immediate area providing access to Brighton and Eastbourne respectively.

East Grinstead Railway Station is located approximately five miles A22 to the north west of the school providing regular services to Central London with a journey time of approximately one hour. ASHURSTWOOD London Gatwick Airport is located around 14 miles to the north west of the school providing national and international flights. GLOUCESTER HARTFIELD WITHYHAM ASHDOWN HOUSE SCHOOL M25

M40 LONDON CITY AIRPORT LONDON FOREST ROW M4 SOUTHEND HEATHROW AIRPORT AIRPORT UPPER HARTFIELD M25 CANTERBURY

B2026 M23 M20 GATWICK AIRPORT M3 ASHDOWN HOUSE SCHOOL COLEMAN’S HATCH SOUTHAMPTON PORTSMOUTH BRIGHTON A22

6 ASHDOWN HOUSE PREPARATORY SCHOOL, FOREST ROW, EAST SUSSEX, RH18 5JY ASHDOWN HOUSE PREPARATORY SCHOOL, FOREST ROW, EAST SUSSEX, RH18 5JY 7 8 ASHDOWN HOUSE PREPARATORY SCHOOL, FOREST ROW, EAST SUSSEX, RH18 5JY Description

74.8m The property comprises an attractive and prestigious former independent co-educational boarding and day school for pupils aged 7 to 13 extending to 7,219 sq m (77,699 sq ft) in grounds of 32 acres (12 hectares) including Pond

Collingsbush residential accommodation, a chapel, playing fields, an indoor swimming pool, tennis courts and woodlands. Wood

The main school building comprises an imposing Grade II* listed former residence constructed in 1794, set Pond within a serene location overlooking Ashdown Forest, which has been substantially extended over the years Tennis Courts for educational use and boarding accommodation. 4

4 4

Ashdown Farm Cottages Ponds

Court Cottage 1 The school buildings are predominantly situated around the main school building within the north western 1 65.0m fringe of the site and benefit from commanding views of the East Sussex countryside. The school is accessed via an attractive private driveway directly off Hartfield Road leading to a car park to the west of the main school building.

Chapel Ashdown House Beech House Ashdown Other buildings on site include; a state-of-the-art science block, a recently converted self-contained nursery school, House School a theatre, an art block, a music block, a dining room and various other school buildings and ancillary facilities.

In addition to the staff flats within the main school accommodation there are nine staff houses on the site 63.9m Playing Field previously used by the school’s staff, as summarised in the schedule of Accommodation. Pavilion

The school benefits from extensive manicured lawns and grass sports pitches to the south of the main school building with additional hard surfaced netball or tennis courts to north of the main school building. FB

0m 50m 100m 150m

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ASHDOWN HOUSE PREPARATORY SCHOOL, FOREST ROW, EAST SUSSEX, RH18 5JY 9 10 ASHDOWN HOUSE PREPARATORY SCHOOL, FOREST ROW, EAST SUSSEX, RH18 5JY ASHDOWN HOUSE PREPARATORY SCHOOL, FOREST ROW, EAST SUSSEX, RH18 5JY 11 Accommodation

Description Floor GIA Description Floor GIA Educational Buildings Chapel Ground Floor 75.0 sq m 807 sq ft Main School Building Basement 20.4 sq m 220 sq ft Dining Hall Ground Floor 160.2 sq m 1,724 sq ft Ground 374.3 sq m 4,029 sq ft Pre-School/Nursery Ground Floor 85.6 sq m 921 sq ft First 348.0 sq m 3,745 sq ft Blue Block Ground Floor 283.3 sq m 3,049 sq ft Second 153.2 sq m 1,649 sq ft Green Block Ground Floor 62.6 sq m 674 sq ft Sub-total 895.9 sq m 9,643 sq ft Log Cabin/Learning Support Ground Floor 63.3 sq m 681 sq ft Senior Girls Boarding Building Ground 320.3 sq m 3,448 sq ft Sports Barn Ground Floor 673.4 sq m 7,248 sq ft First 320.3 sq m 3,448 sq ft Indoor Swimming Pool Ground Floor 364.5 sq m 3,923 sq ft Sub-total 640.6 sq m 6,896 sq ft Educational Buildings sub-total 6,358.4 sq m 68,434 sq ft Junior Girls Boarding Building Ground 327.9 sq m 3,530 sq ft External Buildings First 327.9 sq m 3,530 sq ft Cricket Pavilion 38.6 sq m 415 sq ft Second 96.6 sq m 1,040 sq ft Tractor Shed 65.0 sq m 700 sq ft Sub-total 752.4 sq m 8,100 sq ft Residential Link Building to East Wing Ground 66.0 sq m 710 sq ft Kitchen (Thelma's) Cottage 69.7 sq m 750 sq ft First 66.0 sq m 710 sq ft Kitchen Flat 46.5 sq m 500 sq ft Sub-total 132.0 sq m 1,420 sq ft 1a Court Cottage 46.5 sq m 500 sq ft East Wing Boarding Building Ground 398.4 sq m 4,289 sq ft 1 Court Cottage 69.7 sq m 750 sq ft First 336.0 sq m 3,617 sq ft 2a Court Cottage 46.5 sq m 500 sq ft Second 336.0 sq m 3,617 sq ft 2 Court Cottage 69.7 sq m 750 sq ft Sub-total 1,070.4 sq m 11,523 sq ft Theatre & Art Block Ground 292.5 sq m 3,148 sq ft 3 Court Cottage 88.3 sq m 950 sq ft First 160.5 sq m 1,728 sq ft 4 Court Cottage 88.3 sq m 950 sq ft Sub-total 453.0 sq m 4,876 sq ft 1 Bungalow 92.9 sq m 1,000 sq ft Science Block Ground 330.2 sq m 3,554 sq ft Beech House 139.4 sq m 1,500 sq ft First 316.0 sq m 3,395 sq ft Residential sub-total 757.5 sq m 8,150 sq ft Sub-total 646.2 sq m 6,949 sq ft School Total 7,219.5 sq m 77,699 sq ft

Our understanding of the extent of the site are is outlined in red on the Ordnance Survey Plan. NB: substantially from a measured survey, some from Ordnance Survey mapping. Scale floor We estimate the total site area to be 32.536 acres (13.167 hectares). plans are being prepared.

12 ASHDOWN HOUSE PREPARATORY SCHOOL, FOREST ROW, EAST SUSSEX, RH18 5JY ASHDOWN HOUSE PREPARATORY SCHOOL, FOREST ROW, EAST SUSSEX, RH18 5JY 13 14 ASHDOWN HOUSE PREPARATORY SCHOOL, FOREST ROW, EAST SUSSEX, RH18 5JY Planning Tenure

We have not made enquiries of the local authority The property is offered freehold with vacant possession. to confirm the planning use. However, we assume that it has planning permission for its existing use as a boarding and day school and ancillary uses. Viewed overall we think the established use of the school falls Terms within use class C2 (Residential Institutions) of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987. Our clients have a strong preference for unconditional offers but conditional (subject to planning) offers for We understand that the property is located within the freehold interest will be considered. Wealden District Council and the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The main school building is Grade II* listed and the archway to the west of the main house is Grade II listed. Guide Price

On application to the sole agents. EPC

Available on request. Contacts

Please see back page for contacts. Services

We are advised that the property is served by mains Viewings electricity and water supplies. Heating and hot water is provided via a mix of oil fired boilers, calor Viewings of the property are strictly by prior gas and electricity. There are two cesspits on the appointment with the sole agents, Gerald Eve LLP. site for sewerage.

VAT

We are advised that the property is not elected for VAT.

ASHDOWN HOUSE PREPARATORY SCHOOL, FOREST ROW, EAST SUSSEX, RH18 5JY 15 Contacts

Paul Greenwood Ben Gilbey Richard Moir Tel. +44 (0)20 3486 3721 Tel. +44 (0)20 3486 3457 Tel. +44 (0)20 7333 6281 Mobile. +44 (0)7584 534 462 Mobile. +44 (0)7393 764 732 Mobile. +44 (0)7771 812 249 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Conditions under which these particulars are issued All details in these particulars are given in good faith, but Gerald Eve LLP for themselves and the Vendors/Lessors of this property for whom they act give notice that: - 1. These particulars do not and shall not constitute, in whole or in part, an offer or a contract or part thereof, and Gerald Eve LLP have no authority to make or enter into any such offer or contract. 2. All statements contained in these particulars are made without acceptance any liability in negligence or otherwise by Gerald Eve LLP, for themselves or for the Vendors/Lessors. 3. None of the statements contained in these particulars is to be relied on as a statement or representation of fact or warranty on any matter whatsoever, and intending purchasers must satisfy themselves by whatever means as to the correctness of any statements made within these particulars. 4. The Vendors/Lessors do not make, give or imply, nor do Gerald Eve LLP or any person in their employment have any authority to make, give or imply, whether in these particulars or otherwise, any representation or warranty whatsoever in relation to the property. The statement does not affect any potential liability under the Property Misdescription Act 1991. Particulars issued July 2020.

Gerald Eve LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC339470 and its registered office at 72 Welbeck Street, London, W1G 0AY.

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