Architecture and interior
At the end of a private road in unspoilt countryside, Longdown Farm would always have been a home of prominence from the time it was originally built in the early part of the 17th century. The Grade II Listed house retains much of the original timber frame including roof structure and floors and the broader site contains several historic buildings. The brickwork walls are in a Flemish bond in an attractive orange-red brick. The house is what is known as a Wealden Hall style house and is of considerable archaeological interest. Its ownership can be traced back to the early 1600s although historical records indicate that there was a house on the site from the 14th century and elements of this ancient home were partly retained when the present main building was built. For many years, the house and land were owned by prominent cloth makers. The current owner has renovated the house using a skilled designer’s eye, locally sourced materials and craftspeople, removing elements which weren’t authentic to the original intent of the building. There is solid oak flooring throughout much of the property, French floor tiles in the kitchen, locally sourced Sussex clay tiles to the surround of the substantial Esse stove which both offers an alternative place to cook to the electric hob and oven in the kitchen and also heats pretty much the whole house. The stove uses logs from the endless supply of wood from the 18 acres surrounding the house. The kitchen is newly fitted with solid oak worktops. The principal features in the Sitting Room are the substantial fireplace and the bucolic views from the window. Leading from the Sitting Room is the library which has a wood burning stove and is decorated on one wall with comb-scratched pargetting (graphic lines drawn in the wet plaster over 400 years ago). A cosy study sits at the back of the house leading from the Sitting Room adjacent to the stairs down to the Cellar which is an ideal wine storage area. On the first floor are two spacious bedrooms, one having an en suite bathroom and a walk in dressing area and wardrobe. Both bedrooms have exposed wall and ceiling timbers. Also on this floor is a family bathroom. On the second floor are a further two bedrooms, one with double aspect windows with views across the far-reaching land attached to the house. Both have a beautiful, pitched roof and exposed ceiling timbers. The fifth bedroom can be reached from here or via the second staircase which leads from the Dining Room. This lovely bedroom has double aspect windows. Coir matting style flooring to the bedroom and stairs which has both an authentic feel appropriate to the house while bringing contemporary styling. There is a modern double garage and workshop with electricity with a large room on the first floor which is currently used as a games room. To the back of the main house is a small mid 19th century timber shed apparently once used to keep milk from the farm dairy herd cool in recessed enclosures. Also in the grounds of the property is an equestrian building in need of some restoration, barns and an especially useful single storey building which has two years current Planning Permission to fully convert it to a separate dwelling. The 18 acres of land is divided into several fields which all have distinctive characteristics: some being more tamed than others. In the corner of one gently rolling field is a picturesque pond which is home to families of ducks. In another field the ground is dotted with young oaks which have self-seeded from the magnificent old oak trees which frame the many arresting vistas around the land. To be here is to feel in touch with the environment both of today and the landscape of hundreds of years ago. The neighbouring farmer cooperates with the current owner to cut the fields for hay and to manage the hedgerows. The private drive is well maintained at present and any costs shared with the neighbouring property.