Set within a quiet community of four houses in the beautiful East Sussex countryside, Hawthorn Cottage is a cosy and characterful four-bedroom period home dating back to the late 1800s. Since then, it has been extended and upgraded throughout with modern family living and entertaining in mind.

Home Nuances:

– Village of Laughton

– Semi – detached four double bedrooms & three reception rooms

– South east facing garden in an 0.75 acre plot

– Council tax band F

– Double Garage

– Outdoor kitchen, tool shed & garden machinery shed

– Good WIFI strength

– EPC rating – F

– Chain free

– 6.2 miles to Lewes  town centre

– 15.2 miles drive to Brighton

– 1hr 9m direct to London Victoria

Inside, the property’s light and airy proportions capitalise on the incredible views over farmland, the weald and the downs. Premium neutral paintwork works with sympathetic flooring, open fires, wood-burners, and oil-fuelled Aga heating, big casement windows, and latched doors to create a country-cottage-meets-mid-century aesthetic.

The current owner numerous improvements include a new outdoor kitchen installed in late 2020, while the main kitchen was refitted in early 2021.

Private & Peaceful

Hidden away down a quiet lane next to an ancient moated brick tower, this delightful semi-detached rural retreat is surrounded by a landscaped garden filled with birdsong and boasts sweeping views across the South Downs.

Follow the mile-long gravel entrance track to a wide parking area, where you’ll find an open-fronted two-bay garage with light and power and an attached wood store.

Warm & Welcoming

A part-glazed front door leads to a lobby for storing coats and shoes before opening into a generous entrance hall with bespoke shelving. Sisal carpets extend from this inviting central hub into the drawing and sitting rooms, uniting the reception spaces.

Through the archway on your left, you’ll discover a double-aspect drawing room overlooking both the countryside and the well-tended landscaped garden and terrace, accessed via French doors. Benefiting from high ceilings and a cast-iron fireplace with an elegant mantelpiece, it’s a great place to relax and entertain year-round.

Across the hall is a cute front-facing sitting room with a traditional large open fireplace and useful integrated storage. Boasting lovely views over the fields, this pleasant snug would also make a fabulous study or reading room.

Country Chic

A latched door behind the sitting room reveals an attractive breakfast kitchen where white-painted brickwork complements the original red brick floor, illuminated by newly fitted lights.

A brand-new range of sage-green cabinets and drawers come with beautiful oak worktops and a deep Butler sink. Set within an alcove, you can just imagine hanging out by the recently serviced Aga-style range in the winter months while preparing a comforting roast. Other integrated appliances include a fridge and dishwasher.

From the kitchen, a stable door links straight into a fantastic dining room/sun room that drinks in natural light year-round and exemplifies the spectacular views this home offers. Gorgeous exposed floorboards further brighten this flexible entertaining and dining area, warmed by a wood-burning stove.

Double doors continue into the garden hallway, where you’ll find a utility fitted with worktops, a Butler sink, washing machine, fridge-freezer, and a large pantry. With direct access outside and an adjacent downstairs shower room, it’s ideal for returning from muddy walks or clearing up after a stint in the garden.

One of the property’s four double bedrooms lies at the end of the garden hallway. It features pretty garden views and an impressive vaulted ceiling – perfect for guests who’d like access to their own bathroom and entrance.

Rise & Shine

Stairs from the reception hall ascend to a first-floor landing connecting to the three remaining bedrooms, a family bathroom and an additional shower room. The main bedroom has windows to two aspects that draw in the garden and surrounding farmland, plus a fabulous walk-in wardrobe and more integrated shelving and storage.

Currently used as a spacious home office, bedroom two is another large double with charming views and a built-in wardrobe – features echoed in the final bedroom.

In the family bathroom, painted wooden flooring and panels continue the subtle country theme, with the South Downs visible from the window above the large bath. There’s also a handy built-in cupboard, chrome heated towel rail, pedestal basin and close-coupled loo. The decoration scheme repeats in the shower room opposite, where there’s more scenery to enjoy.

Garden

Outside, a stone-paved terrace for al fresco dining and seating wraps around the orangery and drawing room. Why not soak in the cottage’s amazing leafy landscape with a few drinks while the kids play on the sweeping lawn? The mature garden has many flower borders, trees and rose bushes for the wildlife to frequent, ensuring a constant chorus of birdsong.

Home cooks will love having a screened-off vegetable patch with raised beds supported by a greenhouse and a fruit cage. Take the fresh produce directly to the huge outdoor kitchen, warmed by a wood-burner and made from local sweet chestnut and reclaimed tin.

Cotswold stone chips to the front host a granite fire pit, where you can cook and roast marshmallows over a campfire in the summer time with family and friends surrounded by cows and wildflowers while watching the sun sink over the downs towards Firle beacon.

You’ll also find a garden machinery and tool shed, while a picket fence to the front garden and drive lead back to the large double garage with carport/log store.

On Your Doorstep

Amble straight across the fields to the local pub (The Roebuck Inn), post office/shop, and church or Laughton’s Ofsted-rated ‘Good’ primary school.

With a public footpath running along the northern boundary of Hawthorn Cottage, head out to explore, either for walking the dog, walking off lunch or just to enjoy the picturesque scenery & be sure to take your walking boots.

Just 6 miles away in the East Sussex county town of Lewes, you’ll discover a tangle of charming, photogenic streets built around a Norman castle. Replete with shops, restaurants, old English pubs, a 15^th Century bookshop and even a freshwater outdoor swimming pool, it’s a lovely place to meet up with friends. It also hosts a somewhat legendary Bonfire Night procession alleged to be the largest of its kind in the world.

Rail services from Lewes connect to London Bridge/Victoria in just over an hour. Further afield, take a day trip with the kids or grandkids to visit the coastal delights of Eastbourne, just 13.5 miles away.

The local road network includes the A27, A22, A26 and A23.

The internationally renowned Glyndebourne Opera House is a mere 4 miles to the east.

The South Downs National Park provides wonderful opportunities for walking and riding, whilst Ashdown Forest lies some distance to the north and the coastline at the Seven Sisters Country Park lies to the southeast.

Newhaven Harbour Ferry Terminal is 11.8 miles away with direct links to Dieppe, France.

Viewing strictly by appointment with Bees Homes on 01323 332344. If there is any point which is of particular importance to you, we invite you to discuss this with us, especially before you travel to view the property.

Please Note:

Money Laundering Regulations 2007: Intending purchasers will be asked to produce identification documentation upon acceptance of any offer. We would ask for your cooperation in producing such in order that there will not be a delay in agreeing the sale.

Bees Homes use all reasonable endeavours to supply accurate property information in line with the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. These property details do not constitute any part of the offer or contract and all measurements are approximate. It should not be assumed that this property has all the necessary Planning, Building Regulation or other consents. Any services, appliances and heating system(s) listed have not been checked or tested.

Measurements: These approximate room sizes are only intended as general guidance. You must verify the dimensions carefully before ordering carpets or any built in furniture.