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"Grade II listed country property offering a unique blend of historic charm, modern comfort, and captivating gardens and grounds.

Description

Tanyards is a distinguished Grade II listed family home, its charming 18th century fa ade discreetly concealing much older origins. In the same ownership for over 30 years, the house has been lovingly maintained and thoughtfully updated, blending heritage and comfort across more than 4,700 sq ft of sensitively modernised living space.

Arranged predominantly over two floors, the accommodation is full of warmth and character, where period detailing and antique fixtures complement a calm, sophisticated interior palette. Highlights include beautiful stained glass panels, impressive ceiling heights for a home of this age, large sash windows, and several original fireplaces enhanced throughout by a refined combination of Fired Earth tiling and Farrow & Ball paints.

The property is approached through a wide open porch framed by stone pillars, opening into a welcoming entrance hall with a slate tiled floor. From here, double doors lead into the beamed drawing room, centred around a striking inglenook fireplace. On this side of the house are three further reception rooms a cosy sitting room or study with a front aspect bay window and wood burning stove set in a brick fireplace; a beautifully panelled library with bespoke book shelving; and a large dual aspect studio or home office with its own fireplace and contemporary Morso stove perfect for creative or remote work.

The kitchen is fitted with handcrafted Morris & Murray cabinetry, granite worktops, and appliances including a Gaggenau oven and four ring hob with central lava rock grill. Adjoining the kitchen is the dining room, warmed by a traditional Aga and enhanced by bi fold doors to the rear terrace, with stylish floor uplighting.

Beyond the kitchen, a rear hallway with cloakroom leads to a vaulted family room, where an exposed brick chimney breast and raised woodburner offer a charming focal point. Double stained glass doors open into a contemporary conservatory with a stunning single pane glazed roof and twin sets of bi fold doors, seamlessly connecting the indoor and outdoor living spaces.

Beneath the house, a generous cellar currently serves as a wine store.

Upstairs, the principal bedroom enjoys garden views, a feature fireplace, and an en suite shower room that links through to a fitted dressing room formerly a further bedroom . There are three additional bedrooms one with a vaulted ceiling, bay window, and basin as well as a versatile gym, which could be reinstated as a fifth bedroom if required. A large family bathroom, a separate shower room, and an additional WC complete the first floor.

Stairs rise from the landing to a second floor attic study with an adjoining storeroom.

The Barn
Opposite the main house lies a spectacular 34 foot vaulted barn, beautifully converted by the current owners into a superb entertaining space. With parquet flooring, part panelled walls, and ample room for a full size snooker table, the barn also features a central double sided fireplace and a striking antique French zinc bar available by separate negotiation . A cloakroom adds convenience for guests.

Gardens & Grounds
A five bar gate opens to a gravelled driveway with ample parking and a detached garage. A spur leads to an oak framed open car port with EV charger and on to gated secondary access to the private lane to the east.

The gardens are a true highlight exceptionally private and beautifully landscaped as a series of outdoor rooms , framed by mature trees and traditional walls. To the north east lies a tree lined boating lake, edged with stone pathways and crossed by a charming timber bridge. To the south west, a formal garden features an expanse of lawn and a generous stone terrace, partially shaded by a vine draped arbor ideal for al fresco dining and entertaining. A raised koi carp pond adds a striking visual feature, while the south westerly aspect ensures sunlight throughout the day.

Tucked discreetly behind the barn is a Mediterranean style pool area, lined with travertine and accompanied by a separate brick built pool house. Adjacent is a stylish weatherboarded outbuilding housing both a sauna and steam room.

The southern section of the garden includes a large detached garden store workshop with lean to log store, a productive kitchen garden with raised beds, a period style greenhouse, original cold frame, and a walled parterre with box hedging. An orchard planted with young fruit trees and wildflowers lies beyond, merging into a band of mature deciduous woodland with winding pathways.

Across the private lane to the north east, is a separate 1.5 acre paddock with a timber outbuilding.

In all, the grounds extend to about 3.4 acres.

Location

Tanyards is situated on the southern outskirts of Buxted, a popular village with a primary school, health centre with pharmacy, two public houses, a village store and farm shop, together with a mainline railway station, only half a mile from the house or two minutes drive . The neighbouring village of Maresfield has a Marks and Spencer food hall, and 24 hour Little Waitrose.

The old market town of Uckfield three miles offers a more comprehensive range of facilities including High Street shops, an independent cinema, supermarkets and a leisure centre. Lewes 11 miles; Haywards Heath 13 miles; Tunbridge Wells 13 miles.

Buxted is just south of Ashdown Forest which offers superb walking and off road riding for which a permit is required . There is a vibrant cultural scene in Sussex, with world class opera at Glyndebourne, theatre at Royal Tunbridge Wells, the nearby historic County town of Lewes famous for its bonfire celebrations, and the annual Brighton and Charleston Festivals presenting a huge programme of theatre, dance, classical music and literary events.

Transport Buxted, 0.5 miles London Bridge from 63 minutes , Uckfield, three miles London Bridge from 70 minutes , Tunbridge Wells, 13.5 miles London Charing Cross from 53 minutes and Haywards Heath, 14.5 miles London Bridge Victoria from 42 minutes . Gatwick airport 24 miles.

Schools There are a number of state and independent schools and colleges in the local area, including Buxted, Maresfield and High Hurstwood village primary schools, Uckfield Community College, and independent schools Cumnor House in Danehill, Great Walstead near Lindfield, Brambletye near East Grinstead, Michael Hall in Forest Row, Mayfield School, Worth School, Tonbridge, Ardingly College, Bede s near Hailsham and Brighton College.

All times and distances are approximate, walking and driving times taken from Google Maps.

Square Footage 4,745 sq ft


Acreage 3.4 Acres

Additional Info

Agent s Note A number of the light fittings, the bar in the barn, the Bang and Olufsen audio system and some garden statuary are not included in the sale, but may be available by separate negotiation.

Services Oil fired central heating. Oil fired Aga which also heats water . Air conditioning to some rooms. Mains electricity, water and drainage. Broadband fibre to the cabinet is available.

Outgoings Wealden District Council. Tax band H.

Photographs taken April and June 2025.

Site Plan Produced from Promap Crown copyright and database rights 2024. OS AC . Not to scale. For identification only.

Cladding This property has cladding clay tile hanging . The property is under six floors so any cladding may not have been tested. Purchasers should make enquiries about the external wall system of the property, if it has cladding and if it is safe or if there are interim measures in place."