Venters, Horsham, West Sussex

This wonderful 16th-century house lies in the countryside outside of Horsham, West Sussex, close to the Surrey Hills, South Downs and High Weald National Landscapes. Formerly a hunting lodge, the house spans some 6,460 sq ft, with a series of distinguished living spaces filled with original features. There are also eight serene bedrooms, including a marvellous two-storey principal suite. Seven acres of sublime grounds surround the house, with a swimming pool, tennis court, an orchard and an ancient bluebell wood. Despite its feel of rural idyll, Venters is a short drive from Horsham station, which provides swift connections to central London.

Setting the Scene

Once a hunting lodge, this characterful house dates from the 16th century. Its handsome timber-framed structure has a fine red-brick infill and is crowned by a clay-tiled roof. Casement windows punctuate its elevations, while prominent gables face east, west and north. Inside, the current owners have gently updated the home with modern comfort in mind. Preserving its period integrity was paramount: as a result, considered contemporary additions are placed between hearty original features, including a timber staircase, panelling and fireplace surrounds.

The Grand Tour

A private road with a sweeping gravel driveway forms the approach to Venters, its wrought -iron gate flanked by a pair of stone statues. A studded timber door sits beneath a porch with tiled roof. Inside, an entrance hall with original wood panelling leads to a light-filled drawing room, illuminated by leaded casement windows. Original timber panelling lines the walls, and a fireplace surround has intricate carved detailing.

At the front of the house, an Dovre log burner sits in a wide inglenook fireplace with original timber lintel. A large study sits adjacent, its ornately carved fireplace surround decorated with Tudor roses.

A bright breakfast room with fitted cabinetry leads through to a large kitchen designed by Mark Wilkinson. It has Shaker-style cabinetry, a cream oil-fired Aga, a wine fridge and a Nero Assluto granite-topped island. A glazed door opens onto the pantry. A timber-panelled dining room is perfect for entertaining, while a large family room has French doors onto the garden. On this floor there is also a guest WC and a utility room; the latter leads down to a wine cellar.

An original timber staircase ascends to the first-floor landing, bathed in natural light care of leaded windows at each end. The principal has a grand original fireplace surround, and opens onto an en suite bathroom with a bathtub, walk-in shower and dual washbasins. From here, a spiral staircase ascends to a dressing room.

At the front of the house, a second double bedroom has an en suite bathroom. On this floor there are three additional bedrooms, one of which is currently used as a study, a shared bathroom and a separate WC.

The second floor is home to a series of versatile spaces, currently configured as two bedrooms, a playroom and a shower room.

A second staircase next to the utility room ascends to a bedroom with an en suite bathroom.

Venters has several outbuildings, including a gym, a games room, a garage, a workshop and a craft room. There is also a potting shed, a garden room, and a log store.

The Great Outdoors

The house is surrounded by over seven acres of beautifully maintained gardens. A formal garden lies close to the house, its paths lined with lush flower beds. A paved terrace is perfect for outdoor dining, and looks onto a large lawned area filled with a wonderful variety of mature trees and shrubbery.

A decked terrace next to the swimming pool is apt for reclining after a dip, and the garden has its own tennis court. For green-fingered gardeners, a greenhouse lies in a sunny spot.

An orchard and an ancient bluebell woodland also form part of the grounds. A 9-acre field/paddock/additional plot is available by separate negotiation.

Out and About

Venters sits between the Surrey Hills, South Downs and High Weald National Landscapes. It is around 20 minutes from Horsham, an historic West Sussex market town; Crawley is also easily reached and has amenities including a cinema. For provisions, there are several supermarkets in Horsham, including a Marks and Spencer and a Waitrose. For local produce, independent shops such as Gwyn's Bakery and Crate are local favourites, alongside a thriving Saturday market. Horsham is also home to a Gails and John Lewis.

There are also several golf courses nearby. The 92-acre Warnham Nature Reserve is less than a 15-minute drive from the house and is an excellent spot for birdwatching. Denne Hill is another popular hiking location situated close by. The area surrounding nearby Knepp Castle was once 3,500 acres of intensively farmed land; it has more recently been transformed through rewilding and now supports a rich diversity of wildlife.

Dining options abound in the local area, including Artelesi, La Piazzetta and Flo’s. The region is also home to Michelin-starred The Pass at South Lodge and Interlude at Leonardslee, both around 15 minutes’ away by car. The Everyman cinema and The Capitol theatre are within easy reach on foot, offering an exciting program of films and live shows all year round.

There are several excellent schooling options in the area, including Heron Way Primary School, Tanbridge House Secondary and The College of Richard Collyer.

Three Bridges railway station is a 15-minute drive away, with direct trains to London Bridge and Victoria in 35-minutes, Gatwick airport in 19 minutes, and Brighton in approximately one hour.

Council Tax Band: H