KNOCKBRIDGE HOUSE , ,

PHILLIPS & STUBBS

KNOCKBRIDGE HOUSE Icklesham, Winchelsea, East Sussex TN36 4AN

A substantial detached family house of Georgian origin with later Victorian additions, affording well-proportioned living accommodation, set away from all roads in beautiful gardens and grounds of about 4 acres with far reaching views across undulating countryside towards the coast.

Entrance hall n Hall n Double reception room n Study n Farmhouse kitchen Breakfast room n Utility room/pantry n Cloakroom n Inner hallway Gardener’s WC n Cellar

Landing n Master bedroom with en suite shower room n Five further bedrooms n Two shower rooms (one en suite) n Family bathroom n WC

Swimming pool and pool house n Three bay garage n Large Stable block and Paddock n Large Glass house n Garden store

Oil central heating n EPC rating E

These particulars are intended only as a guide and must not be relied upon as statements of fact. Your attention is drawn to the Important Notice on the last page of the text. The property is set in outstanding gardens and grounds at the end of a long unmade farm track on the edge of the village of Icklesham with views across undulating countryside in the Pannel Valley towards the coast. Leading from the grounds of the property are spectacular cliff top walks to Country Park Nature Reserve, stretching from Hastings to Cliff End, Level, where it gives access to the beach. Here there is a breathtaking, unique 660 acre area of maritime sandstone cliff with a cliff top area of grassland and heath, woodland, glens covered with gorse and trees, nature trails and spectacular walks, one of which leads to the coast at Fairlight Glen.

Icklesham’s historic roots can be traced back to 772, when it appeared as Icoleshamme in a land charter signed by Offa, King of Mercia. Strategically located on the River Brede, it was a prime target in the Norman invasion of 1066. The 12th century parish church is dedicated to All Saints and St Nicholas. On nearby Hogg Hill stands an attractive C18th post mill on a two storey roundhouse. The village has two public houses, a village store, Windmill Orchard farm shop, a Memorial Hall and a Church of primary school. Set in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, most of the park has been designated a Special Area of Conservation and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The Ancient Town and Cinque Port of Rye, renowned for its historical associations and medieval fortifications, is about 5 miles and provides local shopping facilities. The Ancient Town of Winchelsea, one of the few examples of a bastille town in England based on the grid-iron street plan with wide, regular streets arranged around a giant square and the incomplete cathedral type church of St. Thomas the Martyr, is within 2 miles. Local train services from Rye to Brighton and to Ashford from where there are high- speed connections to London St Pancras (37 minutes) and mainland Europe. 6 miles is the historic Old Town of Hastings, a picturesque landscape of cobbled streets, medieval buildings, Regency architecture, seafront and tall fishing huts. Hastings offers a comprehensive range of shopping facilities and a direct rail service to London. There is schooling for all ages in both the private and state sectors, including Icklesham primary school, Thomas Peacock in Rye, Battle Abbey and Buckswood School in Guestling.

Knockbridge House is a handsome and generously proportioned Georgian country house with later Victorian additions with painted elevations under a slate roof with traditional sash windows and a pair of double height matching bay windows to the south elevation flooding the house with light. The property has considerable character with high ceilings, exposed wood and old terracotta tiled flooring and panelled doors together with an elegant staircase of the period with a hardwood handrail.

A Georgian pannelled front door with glazed inserts, matching side panels and a fanlight above leads to an entrance hall with a geometric pattern tiled floor and a cloakroom off. A inner door opens to the main hall, which has polished wood floorboards, an elegant staircase to the first floor and a glazed door with a fanlight leading out to the terrace and gardens. Further stairs from the inner hall give access to the useful cellar.

Doors lead to the principal reception rooms including a study/library with a large bay window, with wooden shutters, overlooking the gardens, fitted oak shelving to three walls and an imposing fireplace. Opposite is the open plan sitting room and dining room with a large bay window overlooking the gardens, two sets of glazed doors leading to a terrace. A ‘Harrie Leedners’ stainless steel wood burning stove stands between the two rooms both of which have exposed oak floors. The spacious breakfast room has a glazed door leading out to a terrace, tall windows and painted wood floorboards. Adjoining is a utility room and pantry with a glazed china sink with wood drainers, open display shelving, matchboard panelling and a door to outside. From the utility room, a rear hall leads to outside and a large larder store. The farmhouse kitchen is fitted with an extensive range of hand crafted, painted units comprising cupboards and drawers beneath slate work surfaces with a built in stainless steel oven, 2 oven oil Aga set in a tiled fireplace style surround, a large central island with drawers and an inset butler’s sink, antique terracotta tiled floor and glazed double doors opening out to a terrace. From the hall a staircase rises to the first floor landing. Bedrooms one is a lovely bright room with views across adjoining farmland through a large bay window. Adjoining is an en suite bath/ shower room. Bedroom two is double aspect with a similar southerly outlook via a bay window and a further window to one side. Bedroom three has two windows to the west overlooking the gardens together with an en suite shower room. There are three further bedrooms and a family bathroom with a roll top bath, wash basin and separate W.C.

Outside Knockbridge House enjoys mature gardens extending to approaching 4 acres which progress around the house through a series of discrete areas. These include lawns with herbaceous borders, mature trees and shrubs forming airy canopies, an architect designed swimming pool and pool house with a tropical planting of tree ferns underplanted with hostas, ferns and grasses and a huge potager inspired by Rosemary Verey’s garden at Barnsley House. Designed as a quadripartite knot garden, with a large mulberry tree at its centre, the garden provides an abundance of produce. Each of the four quarters is laid with brick paths of a different pattern. Box hedging completes the planting and lines each quarter and path. Beyond the potager sits an enormous glass house which is home to further quantities of early vegetables and tender plants. A pond planted with gunnera and water lilies attracts an abundance of wildlife. All round the house there are paths, some tightly mown through clouds of cow parsley, some following to the top side of the garden through a meadow and enjoying views across the surrounding countryside. In addition, there is a balustraded terrace, with two large figs and a wisteria, which looks out over an expansive lawn.

Outbuildings include a substantial stable block ,with hay barn and feed room, surrounded by a paddock, a triple garage, and tractor shed with adjoining store.

Directions From Rye, take the A259 in a westerly direction passing around Winchelsea and continue on to the village of Icklesham. Take the first turning on the left into Workhouse Lane and then turn first right into Laurel Lane. The entrance to Knockbridge will then be seen on your left after about 200 yards. Proceed along the shared unmade farm track, keeping right, and Knockbridge House will be seen at the end..

Tenure Freehold.

Viewing Strictly by appointment with Phillips and Stubbs.

Important Notice Phillps and Stubbs, their clients and any joint agents give notice that:

1: They are not authorised to make or give any representations or warranties in relation to the property either here or elsewhere, either on their own behalf or on behalf of their client or otherwise. They assume no responsibility for any statement that may be made in these particulars. These particulars do not form part of any offer or contract and must not be relied upon as statements or representations of fact.

2: Any areas, measurements or distances are approximate. The text, photographs and plans are for guidance only and are not necessarily comprehensive. It should not be assumed that the property has all necessary planning, building regulation or other consents and Phillps and Stubbs have not tested any services, equipment or facilities. Purchasers must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise.

PHILLIPS & S T U B B S

Rye Office 47-49 Cinque Ports Street, Rye East Sussex TN31 7AN • Tel: 01797 227338 • [email protected]

Mayfair Office Cashel House, 15 Thayer Street, London W1U 3JT • Tel: 0870 112 7099 • [email protected]