Limes Lane, Buxted, East Sussex

Some properties steal your heart – and Friarswood is one of them. This beautiful five-bedroom home has high-tech appliances, cosy fireplaces, bespoke cabinetry and a sprawling garden that unveils itself layer by layer, from the swimming pool to the private bluebell woods.

Friarswood is a very special home. On a quiet country lane in the village of Buxted, this five-bedroom detached house looks unassuming if you are walking past on a Sunday stroll. But as the electric gate rolls back, it slowly reveals itself. There’s a big gravel driveway for at least 7 cars, a beautiful white facade, and glimpses of the 1.6-acre plot beyond: a sprawling lawn with a magnificent Magnolia, a peek at the swimming pool, and a private woodland.

The history

The original part of the house was built in 1870, and it is believed to have been the old school house for the Pound Green area of Buxted. The current owners have been here for 16 years, and their care shows in every corner, from top-quality appliances to underfloor heating in the kitchen and bathrooms to keep your toes warm in winter. They have added an incredible new extension to the property, and there’s still scope to do more, with planning permission granted for a two-storey extension, which could create an annexe adjoining the home (WD/2015/2279/F). There is also lapsed planning from the 1970s for a three-bedroom dwelling in the grounds.

The heart of the home

The kitchen and casual lounge are the heart of the home. This newer extension has a vaulted ceiling and is flooded with light from the Velux windows and beautiful doors leading straight out onto the large patio, perfect for summer meals and drinks with friends.

The bespoke kitchen is fitted with hand-built cabinetry from the independent English Rose Company, a built-in drinks fridge and wine fridge, and a run of Miele appliances – oven, slow cooker, warming drawer, steam oven and induction hob. There are luxurious Perrin and Rowe taps, a banquette dining area with built-in storage benches, and a separate utility room with a sink and pantry cupboards, plus space for a washing machine, dryer, and large fridge. The kitchen also leads to an office with a vaulted ceiling and garden views, which could also work as a playroom. The kitchen itself flows into a casual lounge with cosy sofas and a wood-burning stove. If you have dogs, or are fond of a muddy country walk, there is a second utility/boot room at the back of the house with direct access to the garden and garage.

Relax in the large lounge

The main lounge is a proper showstopper, with a working open fireplace, big windows that draw in the light, and a curved window seat that's made for admiring the views over the garden and swimming pool. Built-in bookcases and plenty of room for a dining table complete the picture. There's a double bedroom on the ground floor with a separate WC beside it, offering scope to create an en-suite.
Five-bedroom home

Upstairs, four further bedrooms include a master suite with built-in wardrobes and stunning views over the pool and woodland, plus an en-suite with dual sinks, twin storage mirrors, hidden storage and a power shower. Bedroom two also enjoys pool views, with French windows opening onto that same garden outlook. Bedroom three is currently used as a sewing room and bedroom four benefits from dual-aspect windows.

Outdoor style

The garden is an absolute joy. Step out of the kitchen onto a large patio with porcelain tiles, offering a private, sun-trapped dining spot, sheltered from the wind and surrounded by vibrant Canna lilies that flower from June right through to October. From here, steps lead down to a firepit area with lighting worked into the surrounding curved seating, and to the right you’ll find a cedar-built outdoor kitchen with smart composite decking, a plumbed-in sink, BBQ, professional fridges and electric points – built for hosting.

A big lawn is overlooked by a Scots pine and mature hedging, while a log store, shed and workshop draped in wisteria take care of storage. The pool itself is edged in porcelain tiles and box hedging for privacy, with an elevated seating area the owners have nicknamed the Safari Lookout, where you can gaze over Himalayan birch, red oak, sweet chestnut and maple trees. Further on, a vegetable garden awaits revival, an orchard offers apple, quince, cherry, plum and pear, and a woodland is blanketed with bluebells each spring. The garden is fully deer-fenced to protect anything you plant.

Location

Buxted offers traditional village life: a local shop, barbers, and two great pubs for a Sunday roast, live music or a quiz night. There’s a playground, modern Scout’s Hut, football pitch, doctor’s surgery, and two churches, plus a church hall for weekly Pilates classes and community events such as art shows and displays by Buxted Horticultural Society. From Buxted train station, the line runs into London Bridge, and is only one stop into Uckfield, home to an independent cinema and a good choice of shops and restaurants. Buxted Park is also on the doorstep, a 312-acre deer park with lakes and a luxury hotel offering afternoon teas and evening meals in a Palladian mansion.

If you think Friarswood in Buxted might be the home for you, give us a call to arrange a viewing or drop Matt a WhatsApp on . We are open 7 days a week until late.