Charles Wycherley Independent Estate Agent are delighted to present this truly special and rarely available property, coming to the market for the first time in over 50 years. Occupying a wonderfully private position in the sought-after area of Cuilfail, this original Arts & Crafts detached home sits on an exceptionally generous plot and enjoys a unique and tranquil setting. The property is an elegant and characterful residence, retaining a wealth of original 1920s features including exposed beams and charming fireplaces. The first floor offers four well-proportioned bedrooms, all benefitting from attractive outlooks, along with a family bathroom and a separate cloakroom. The ground floor provides spacious and versatile accommodation, beginning with an original entrance hall leading to a study and cloakroom. The principal reception space is an impressive L-shaped sitting room, featuring a striking fireplace, beamed ceiling and delightful views. To the rear of the house, there is a bay-fronted dining room, also with a fireplace, alongside a kitchen which offers excellent potential for reconfiguration. Subject to the necessary consents, there is scope to open the kitchen into the adjoining utility, pantry and garage areas, creating a larger contemporary living space with fine garden views and outlooks across the driveway towards the town and the South Downs. Externally, the property is equally impressive. A substantial private driveway provides ample parking and leads to a double garage. The gardens are a particular feature, with a large and private rear garden enjoying a northerly aspect towards the Ouse Valley. To the front, a beautifully positioned west-facing seating area captures spectacular panoramic views across Lewes towards the South Downs and the Newhaven Valley. In addition, a further expansive sloping garden offers exciting potential for terracing, landscaping and the creation of additional seating or planting areas.
Cuilfail is widely regarded as one of Lewes' most prestigious residential locations, offering an exclusive setting with breathtaking, ever-changing views. The property is ideally situated just below exceptional South Downs walking routes and close to Lewes Golf Club. At the foot of Cuilfail, the historic town centre is within easy reach, including South Street and Cliffe High Street, known for its independent shops, pubs, cafés and restaurants. There is also convenient access to local supermarkets, including Waitrose, as well as the Eastgate Shopping Centre. Lewes Railway Station is approximately a 15 minute walk away, offering regular services to London Victoria and London Bridge in around 70 minutes, and is located close to the highly regarded Depot Cinema. Lewes itself is renowned for its historic architecture, vibrant cultural scene and excellent access to the surrounding countryside and nearby coastline, making this an exceptional opportunity to acquire a distinguished home in a prime location.
FIRST FLOOR
UPPER & LOWER LANDING:
The first floor is accessed via an attractive upper landing, enjoying natural light from a leaded light window overlooking the rear garden to the east, fitted with secondary glazing. The landing retains much of the home's original character, featuring a picture rail, fitted bookshelves and a hatch providing access to the roof space, with stairs descending to the lower landing. The lower landing area continues the home's period appeal, with a feature staircase incorporating oak panelling, a handrail and newel post, along with access to a linen cupboard with window and fitted shelving.
BEDROOM 1: 15'2 X 13'4
Bedroom 1 is a generously proportioned triple-aspect room enjoying an abundance of natural light and attractive outlooks. Leadlight casement windows to the north provide views across mature woodland with glimpses towards the Ouse Valley, while a high-level window to the east overlooks the rear garden. Additional aspects to the south further enhance the sense of light and space. The room retains considerable period character, featuring exposed ceiling timbers and an exposed brick fireplace with a wooden mantel. Further benefits include a pedestal wash hand basin, radiator and a picture rail, all contributing to the room's charm and practicality.
BEDROOM 2: 12'6 X 11'6
Bedroom 2 is a double-aspect room enjoying an abundance of natural light and attractive views. A leadlight window with secondary glazing to the south provides far-reaching views over Cuilfail towards the Newhaven Valley, while a further leadlight window overlooks the rear garden to the east. The room is enhanced by a range of character features including exposed lintel beams, a substantial feature ceiling beam, picture rail and radiator. There is also a double wardrobe cupboard providing useful built-in storage.
PRINCIPAL BEDROOM 3: 20'2 X 15'8
The principal bedroom is a superbly proportioned triple-aspect room enjoying an exceptional outlook. Leadlight casement windows provide magnificent views across Lewes towards the historic castle, town centre and the rolling backdrop of the South Downs. A north-facing window, fitted with oak-framed secondary glazing, offers glimpses of the Ouse Valley through mature trees, while a further leadlight window overlooks the rear garden to the east. The room is enhanced by two double fitted wardrobe cupboards, an attractive arched brick fireplace and a radiator, combining period character with generous practicality.
ENSUITE SHOWER ROOM:
The principal suite is served by an ensuite shower room, featuring a casement window with secondary glazing and impressive views towards Lewes. The suite comprises a separate shower enclosure with an independent mains-fed shower and tiled surrounds, together with a wash hand basin, low-level wc and fitted bathroom cupboards. Additional fittings include a heated towel rail and a shaver point, all presented in a functional and well-appointed layout.
BEDROOM 4: 12' X 9'
Bedroom 4 is a well-proportioned room with a leaded light window and views towards the town centre. The room is fitted with bookshelves to three walls, a picture rail, recessed spotlights, telephone point and radiator, making it a versatile space suitable for use as a bedroom, study or home office.
BATHROOM:
The family bathroom is well-appointed and enjoys superb southerly views towards the South Downs. The suite comprises a panelled bath, pedestal wash hand basin and bidet, complemented by a shaver point, Dimplex wall heater and heated towel rail. The room benefits from two LED light windows which enhance the natural light and outlook, alongside half-tiled walls and an extractor fan for ventilation.
SEPARATE WC:
A separate WC is located adjacent, fitted with a low-level WC and corner wash hand basin. This space also features two leadlight windows, providing additional light and a pleasant aspect.
UPPER GROUND FLOOR
The upper ground floor is approached via a glazed door opening into an area finished with oak wood panelling, featuring fitted shelved cupboards and a plate shelf. Oak stairs with complementary oak panelling provide access between levels, contributing to the home's consistent period character.
DINING ROOM: 15'2 X 14'6
The dining room is a particularly attractive reception space. This well-proportioned room benefits from a charming bay window with leadlight glazing, overlooking the side garden. The bay is enhanced by a built-in bench seat with a hinged top providing useful storage. The room features oak half panelling, wooden floorboards, cornicing and a radiator, alongside a corner cupboard with glazed display shelving. A striking exposed brick fireplace with grate and oak mantel forms a focal point within the room, complemented by two wall lights and a dimmer switch for ambient lighting. The space enjoys a pleasant triple aspect, with outlooks towards the rear and across the east garden to the south, creating a bright and inviting setting ideal for formal dining and entertaining.
KITCHEN: 12'4 X 11'4
The kitchen is well-proportioned and is fitted with a range of units complemented by work surfaces and practical storage. A twin-bowl stainless steel sink unit with single drainer and mixer tap is set beneath a window overlooking the rear east-facing garden, with drawers and cupboards below and space and plumbing for a dishwasher. Additional worktops incorporate further cupboards beneath and matching wall-mounted units above. Appliances include a Bosch 4-ring hob and a Bosch double oven, with a further worktop area featuring drawers and pan drawers set within a chimney alcove. An airing cupboard houses a pre-lagged copper hot water tank and fitted shelving, while an exposed wooden beam adds to the room's character. Dual windows to the rear garden ensure the space is light and airy. A rear lobby with clay tiled flooring provides access to the garden via a glazed door and includes a deep utility cupboard measuring approximately 7'1 X 5'2. This area offers a worktop with cupboards below and an electric oven with additional cupboards and shelving above. Within this space there is also a hatch to the roof space, and a further cupboard accommodating the tumble dryer and washing machine beneath a glazed roof. A substantial larder cupboard provides excellent storage, featuring a slate cool shelf, clay tiled flooring, a window and additional shelving, with space for a fridge freezer. The layout offers flexibility and could, subject to the necessary consents, be adapted or reconfigured to create a larger open-plan kitchen and living arrangement by incorporating adjacent spaces.
GROUND FLOOR
The ground floor retains a sense of quality and craftsmanship throughout, with an oak entrance door set beneath a lintel beam, opening onto a stone floor with tiled sill and a leaded light window to the south, continuing the home's consistent period detailing and character.
ORANGERY: 15'3 X 10'6
The principal reception spaces of the property begin with a superb orangery, incorporating a bayed west-facing section with a fully glazed wall that enjoys direct views over the main garden. Finished with a stone floor and featuring an exposed brick wall, this impressive space provides a natural transition through to the adjoining conservatory.
CONSERVATORY: 12' X 8'4
The conservatory also benefits from extensive glazing, including a glazed wall overlooking the west-facing garden and a glazed door providing access to the driveway. Both areas are well equipped for garden use, with stone flooring, a water tap and trough, and a strong visual connection to the surrounding outdoor space.
ENTRANCE HALL & CLOAKROOM
The entrance hall is finished with exposed oak panelling and includes a radiator, double storage cupboard and a staircase with oak treads rising to the upper landing. A ground floor cloakroom is fitted with a low-level WC, wash hand basin and electric heater, complemented by a clay tiled floor and tiled sill, along with a double storage cupboard.
STUDY: 10'8 X 8'4
This further reception room provides a study area featuring a leadlight window with secondary glazing. The room is enriched with oak panelling, fitted shelving and base cupboards, along with a plate shelf and telephone point, making it a versatile and comfortable space.
SITTING ROOM: 20'4 X 21'2 max
The principal sitting room is an exceptional and generously proportioned space. This striking room features an attractive bayed section with extensive exposed beams across the ceilings and walls, along with timber floorboards and a wealth of period character. A leadlight window with secondary glazing provides views towards Lewes, while a glazed door offers direct access to the garden. The room benefits from multiple aspects, including a four-aspect layout, an octagonal picture window overlooking the east-facing rear garden, and further lead-style windows with secondary glazing. A substantial ornate brick fireplace with stone detailing, hearth and decorative trim forms a focal point, complemented by exposed ceiling beams, upright timbers, double cupboards and an oak door.
HOBBY ROOM: 18'2 X 10'
The hobby room, formerly a garage, provides further flexibility and potential. It includes a leadlight window overlooking the driveway and towards the Ouse Valley, along with a tiled sill, workbench, cloakroom with WC and wash hand basin, and additional storage cupboards with overhead units and an adjacent fuse box. Importantly, there is considerable scope, subject to the necessary consents, to reconfigure and integrate the kitchen, lobby, utility areas and workshop to create a substantially enlarged and contemporary open-plan kitchen and living space, should a purchaser wish to adapt the layout to suit modern living requirements.
OUTSIDE
Externally, the property offers an impressive and highly versatile plot with a range of well-planned parking, garaging and landscaped garden areas. An outside storage cupboard with fitted shelving houses the Worcester Greenstar boiler, serving the property's gas-fired central heating system. The property is approached via a pebbled triple-width driveway providing ample off-street parking and leading to the garage.
GARAGE: 18'2 X 16'
The garage is fitted with an up-and-over door, workbench with drawers and cupboards beneath, power and lighting, and benefits from an attractive Mediterranean-style portico framing the entrance, with adjoining stonework and a brick pathway leading through to the garden room.
WORKSHOP: 17'4 X 12'4
The workshop includes a workbench, glazed doors, and provision for power and lighting.
GARDENS
A paved pathway leads from the workshop to the rear east-facing garden, enclosed in part by flint and brick walls. This area includes a designated bin storage space, outside lighting and a water tap, along with extensive lawned areas, central steps and a slabbed pathway incorporating a stone bench. A small pond with surrounding shrubs, planting beds and lawn pathways adds further interest, while the garden continues to a hedge-lined eastern boundary. The terrain slopes gently to a more level lawn, complemented by a half-circular brick seating area, mature shrubs and trees along the northern boundary, and glimpses towards the Ouse Valley. Further pathways lead through a brick dividing wall with a wrought iron gate connecting to the front of the property. The front entrance is approached via a combination of brick and slab pathways, flanked by well-stocked flower beds and lawn areas to either side. Stone steps rise to the entrance door beneath a veranda supported by oak beams and set under an open clay-tiled roof. Additional stone steps with wrought iron handrails lead onto further paved pathways and lawns, interspersed with firs and ornamental trees providing visual separation and structure, extending towards the wider west-facing garden and north side areas. The principal rear garden is a particularly notable feature, extending to approximately 130 feet in depth and arranged as a generous lawned bank with scope for further terracing, subject to requirements. Mature planting, including a tall cypress specimen towards the rear, enhances privacy, while the elevated position provides superb views across the surrounding landscape. A grass pathway also provides a convenient shortcut access down towards the town via Cuilfail lane, linking directly to the centre of Lewes.
Council Tax
Lewes District Council, Band G
Notice
Please note we have not tested any apparatus, fixtures, fittings, or services. Interested parties must undertake their own investigation into the working order of these items. All measurements are approximate and photographs provided for guidance only.
