Sought-after setting

On the fringes of the protected Ashdown Forest, arrive at this enchanting white Victorian cottage festooned in wisteria, along a private country lane. With parking for three on the gravelled forecourt, step outside and soak up the sound of birdsong. 

Perfectly private, this beautiful home at Balfour Gardens was built around 1880. Believed to have once been servants’ accommodation for the nearby manor, this commodious home backs onto land designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and also of Special Scientific Interest.

OWNER QUOTE: “We believe the cottagers would have had commoners’ rights to ferns for bedding, wood from the trees for fires and the right to keep a grazing animal on forest land.”

Classic charm, contemporary comforts

Renovated and extended in 2013, this cottage has undergone a number of improvements, whilst retaining its original character.

OWNER QUOTE: “The village and our children’s school are just a short walk away.”

From beneath the timber porch, make your way inside, through the pretty green stable style front door and into the entrance hall. Warmth emanates from underfloor heating beneath the polished limestone, a feature found throughout the downstairs. Light reaches in from a window ahead, stepping up, past a wall of windows looking into the kitchen, providing a sense of light, space and openness.

Heart of the home

Turning left, step through to the dining area of the kitchen, dressed in neutral tones as part of the eco-paint redecoration employed throughout. With ample room for a table and chairs, built-in shelving offers perfect pantry storage. Flow on into the kitchen, the heart of the home. This solid ash kitchen offers ample storage in its cupboards and drawers, including a bespoke, two-way opening cutlery drawer for ease of access from both kitchen and dining room. Also featured is a rainforest green granite countertop above the undermounted sink, sourced from Stoneworld London. Integrated appliances comprise a five-burner gas hob, with extractor by Sebastian Conran with Belling, over a Stoves double oven. Light pours in through an abundance of windows framing views to the rear garden from the kitchen and front garden from the bow window in the dining area.

Light-filled living

Nestled to the rear of the kitchen on the left, flow through to the sitting room, renovated and remodelled to include wall-to-wall fitted base cupboard under a run of casement window with a porthole window in the apex above, delivering an abundance of light through. The double height ceiling rises up, amplifying the light, airy feel of this room. French doors connect the sitting room with the patio beyond for easy alfresco living in the warmth of summertime.

A second living room is set to the front, awash with light throughout the day and featuring a handsome original fireplace, in full working order, set beside a quirky arched alcove. 

Practical places

Returning to the main entrance, turn right, noting the shift in flooring as the limestone takes on a Brick Bond pattern in the boot room, where there is access out to the garden and onward into the utility room with plumbing for washer-dryer and furnished with a Belfast sink. Here you also find access to a handy downstairs WC.

Tucked quietly away from the main entertaining areas, discover the study, capturing woodland views through broad windows.

Bedtime beckons…

From the entrance hall, take a peep at the secret understairs cupboard, housing the boiler and providing great storage, before ascending to the first-floor landing. 

Turning left, make your way along the landing to arrive at the master suite. Preceding the main bedroom is the ensuite bathroom on the right. Seek refreshment within, where a bath with overhead rainfall shower is accompanied by a solid oak vanity shelf with raised, circular, yellow onyx wash basin and a separate WC. Across the inner hall, a large airing cupboard has shelving for all your storage needs. Step down into the bountiful master bedroom, where two sets of fitted wardrobes stand to either side of a large window delivering daylight throughout. Windows offer views out to three sides, ensuring a bright and cheerful bedroom, creating a sanctuary of light.

OWNER QUOTE: “The views are incredible. One night I woke to see deer eating fallen apples from the neighbour’s tree by the light of the full moon.”

Cosy cottage charm

Returning up the steps, continue along the landing, lifting a latched door to bedroom two, a comfortable double, whose sloped ceiling adds an intimate cottage cosiness. From the window, woodland views present themselves, accompanied by the gentle hooting of owls at night.

From the top of the stairs, continue straight ahead, peeping through a door on the right into the family bathroom, where light from a Velux window is reflected throughout by a large mirror inset to the wall above the bath.  Overhead, a power shower is fitted with handheld attachment. Note the whimsical bespoke fish tile sourced from Suffolk, above the wash basin. There is also a WC.

Turn right to the fourth bedroom where high casement windows deliver light throughout. Turning left out of this bedroom, find the third bedroom. Two windows deliver plenty of light, whilst fitted shelves make this room ideal for children’s book collections. An original cast iron fireplace is in working order, complementing the cosy cottage charm.

Nature’s playground

From the back door, step outside onto the Indian sandstone patio and sense the restorative joys of rurality. Totally tranquil, only birdsong breaks the peace. Clear night skies deliver the cosmos to your garden, with the Big Dipper visible on cloudless nights. Listen out for the hoot of owls, the delicate footfall of deer, and furtive foray of foxes.

Two dwarf apple trees, a small cherry blossom tree and raspberry canes add colour and texture to the garden, alongside a recently planted liquidambar tree to the rear. A garden shed with water butt is handy for keen gardeners.

To the front, Virginia creeper makes a colourful autumnal display, whilst the yellow gold droplets of primroses and laburnum herald the arrival of spring.

OWNER QUOTE: “Spring is just glorious – I hold my breath for the bluebells, it’s like being in heaven.”

Step outside

Overlooking the Ashdown Forest, one of the largest free public access spaces in the South East, myriad walks await, enjoying spectacular views over the Sussex countryside and known the world over as the ‘home’ of Winnie-the-Pooh.

Secluded but not isolated, the vibrant village of Forest Row is filled with eateries and independent retailers. Pick up your fresh bouquets from Emma at Forest Rose Flowers or your fish from Veasey & Sons Fishmongers. For more mainstream shopping, there is a Waitrose and Sainsbury’s a short drive away in East Grinstead.

Young people are well provided for with a local playground and acres of woodland to explore. Michael Hall school, nearby, offers a well-rounded curriculum seeking to balance creativity and academics in a beautiful setting.

Step back in time, surrounded by nature and lose yourself in the seasons, at this gorgeous cottage in Balfour Gardens, a spacious character home with heart, away from the rat race, with all you need on the doorstep.

Home Nuances

• Semi-detached 4 bedroom Victorian Cottage
• Open Plan Kitchen/Dining Room
• Two/Three Receptions
• Home office in peaceful surrounds
• Private lane
• Off-street parking
• Vibrant village of Forest Row
• Council tax band F
• 56 mins to London Victoria from East Grinstead
• 13.2 miles to Gatwick Airport

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.

If you are considering selling your property, call us on 01323 332344 or email info@beeshomes.com to see how we can market your beautiful home.