School House, Windmill Hill, East Sussex

GUIDE PRICE: £695,000
A rare opportunity to acquire this substantial five-bedroom Grade II listed Georgian residence, forming part of an elegant former school house and offering an exceptional combination of timeless character and versatile family living across three impressive floors. Rich in period charm, the property showcases an abundance of original features including exposed joinery, traditional fireplaces, characterful doors, stripped flooring and exposed beams, all perfectly complemented by stunning countryside views stretching across open farmland towards the South Downs. Sympathetically improved and extensively refurbished by the current owners, this remarkable home blends heritage features with carefully considered modern upgrades, resulting in a beautifully presented family residence in an exceptional rural setting.

KEY FEATURES:
• 5 Bedroom Grade II Listed Georgian Residence
• Principal Bedroom with En-Suite Shower Room
• Family Bathroom & Additional Shower Room
• Impressive 23ft Farmhouse-Style Kitchen & Dining Room
• Spacious 18ft Living Room with Wood-Burning Stove
• Separate Office/Study
• Downstairs Cloakroom
• Basement/Cellar with Pumped Sump & MVHR Ventilation System
• Front & Rear Gardens with Countryside Views
• Driveway Providing Off-Road Parking for Several Vehicles
• Extensive Restoration & Improvement Works Throughout
• Rebuilt Hardwood Windows & Refurbished Double Glazing
• Updated Electrical & Heating Systems

The property is entered through a welcoming entrance hallway which immediately reflects the generous proportions and character found throughout the home. The ground floor offers a bright and inviting 18ft living room centred around a charming wood-burning stove, creating a warm and comfortable family space.

A separate office/study provides excellent flexibility for home working or additional reception use and benefits from an adjoining utility area, while a convenient cloakroom completes the ground floor accommodation At the heart of the property lies the impressive 23ft farmhouse-style kitchen and dining room, beautifully appointed with exposed beams, stripped wooden flooring and direct access to both the cellar and rear garden, making it ideal for entertaining and everyday family living alike. The kitchen has been comprehensively improved with new worktops, updated sink and taps, bespoke cabinetry housing a Neff electric hob and cooker, plus the original AGA for choice of cooking, rewiring, new lighting, and restored flooring with renewed subfloor timbers and damp-proof lining. Internal walls within the kitchen and rear lounge have been carefully restored using breathable lime render finishes in keeping with the age and integrity of the building.

The first floor hosts two exceptionally spacious double bedrooms measuring approximately 18ft and 19ft, both retaining wonderful period character, with the principal suite enjoying its own en-suite shower room alongside a beautifully refurbished family bathroom featuring a new power shower, replacement flooring and updated sanitaryware. The second floor offers two further double bedrooms and an additional single bedroom, all served by an upgraded shower room with newly tiled finishes, modern fittings and Marmox insulated wall systems.
Significant improvements have also been made throughout the property including a newly fitted electrical distribution board, NICEIC testing and inspection, replacement TRV and LSV radiator valves, full heating system flush and treatment, new carpets throughout, and comprehensive redecoration using appropriate breathable paints.

Externally, the property has undergone extensive restoration works including repointing, lime rendering, chimney leadwork replacement, roof tile repairs, dormer reconstruction with new lead roofing, refurbishment and rebuilding of multiple hardwood windows, and restoration of double glazed units. Further peace of mind is offered through extensive timber inspections and preservation treatments carried out professionally by Creative Preservation Ltd.

OUTSIDE: The detached outbuilding has also benefited from recladding, reroofing, retiling and a new door and frame. The rear garden is predominantly paved with seating areas, enclosed by mature planting and fencing, and enjoys uninterrupted views over the surrounding farmland. To the front, a generous gravel driveway provides ample off-road parking, completing this highly desirable countryside home.

LOCATION: Situated in the sought-after hamlet of Windmill Hill, the property enjoys a peaceful semi-rural setting while remaining conveniently close to local amenities. The nearby village of Herstmonceux, just a five-minute drive away, offers a range of everyday facilities including shops, a post office, restaurants, a pub, GP surgery, pharmacy and local primary school. The market town of Hailsham is approximately ten minutes away and provides supermarkets, leisure facilities and a community college. The area is also well served by excellent schooling options including Heathfield Community College and a selection of respected private schools such as Mayfield School for Girls, Battle Abbey, Bede’s and Eastbourne College.

Mainline rail services to London are available from Battle and Polegate stations, both within approximately fifteen minutes’ drive. The surrounding area offers an exceptional lifestyle with countryside walks, cycling and horse-riding routes, freshwater fishing at Brick Lakes, and easy access to Herstmonceux Castle, Battle Abbey and the beautiful beaches of Pevensey Bay, Normans Bay and Eastbourne.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Grade II Listed status, mains water, drainage and electricity, electric and oil heating with log wood burner, Council Tax Band F, EPC Rating E and FTTP broadband available up to 50mbps.

AGENTS COMMENTS: “A spacious and elegantly presented Georgian Residence in a sought after country location”