Whiteway, Alfriston, East Sussex, BN26

One of the loveliest period houses in the scenic Cuckmere Valley set within 10 glorious acres of award winning gardens and parkland.

A property of historical interest, Follers Manor, listed Grade II, is believed to date from the 18th Century or earlier and, having evolved over the years, it retains fine features of each of the different periods of its construction. In the earlier parts of the house there are beamed ceilings of good height and large elegant windows afford good lighting through the principal rooms which command breathtaking views over the gardens to the South Downs. Evidence of the sensitive renovation programme over relatively recent years is noted throughout, resulting in a home of unusual quality enhanced by the most loveliest of settings with award winning gardens designed by Ian Kitson and featured in a number of national and European gardening magazines and television programmes by Alan Titchmarsh and in The Landscape Man by Matthew Wilson. Paddocks flank the formal gardens offering an equestrian opportunity and the grounds have access to the picturesque Cuckmere river.

In the heart of the South Downs National Park, Follers Manor sits within the idyllic Cuckmere Valley located to the south west of the old world downland village of Alfriston. Alfriston provides a range of local facilities as well as thriving village life with its ancient parish church, fine dining, village store and school. The surrounding countryside offers wonderful recreational opportunity for the walker or for the equestrian. The seaside towns of Eastbourne and Seaford provide principal shopping centres and there are rail services to London Victoria from nearby Berwick station. Eastbourne and Seaford also provide private and state schools. There is world class opera at nearby Glyndebourne and there are Channel ferries from Newhaven.

Entrance Lobby

with radiator and double inner doors open into

Spacious Reception Hall

with fire place, elegant Georgian style staircase with deep storage cupboard below.

Large Cloakroom

with wash basin, low level wc, radiator, tiled floor, window.

Drawing Room

commanding glorious views over the gardens and the Cuckmere Valley to the downs, handsome marble fire surround with open hearth flanked by bookshelving, 2 radiators.

Large Library/Snug

excluding the depth of the range of adjustable bookshelving, handsome open fire place, fine oak panelling, concealed radiators, window shutters and downland views.

Spacious Dining Room

with inglenook style fireplace recess with large log burning stove, 2 radiators, beamed ceiling, fine views from shuttered window, door to garden.

Study

commanding garden and downland view with fine oak panelling, radiators and door to garden.

Spacious Garden Room

with 3 elevations affording a lovely garden aspect, oak flooring, radiator, built in cabinet, intriguing period fire place, home cinema screen, speakers and projector.

Luxuriously equipped and spacious Kitchen/Breakfast Room

equipped with extensive range of polished granite working surfaces with drawers and cupboards below and matching dresser unit and island unit with range of cupboard space, deep shelved larder cupboard, breakfast bar, large electric Aga with 3 ovens and a warming oven, 2 hobs and hot plate over with extractor fan in the inglenook recess, fine old mellowed brick floor, beamed ceiling, 2 radiators, garden aspect, door to a concealed staircase descending to the large and very useful Cellar/Storage area below where there is Wine Cellar and power and lighting.

Utility Room

with large central island unit with polished granite working surface with cupboards below, inset butlers' sink with mixer tap, plumbing for 2 washing machines, space for tumble dryer set into deep storage cupboard recess, 2 radiators, cupboard below stairs.

Rear Lobby

with radiator and door to garden.

Bedroom 8/Gym

with radiator and door to

Ground Floor Shower Room

with shower unit with wall mounted multi jet shower fitting, wash basin and low level wc, heated towel rail, extractor fan and inset ceiling lighting.

Boiler Room

housing the Grant oil fired boiler and door to courtyard.

Staircase to Bedroom 7

with radiator and

Bathroom

with bath with shower fitting, washbasin, heated towel rail, window.

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The elegant Georgian style staircase rises from the reception hall to the large First Floor part galleried Landing, radiator, shelved storage cupboard.

Magnificent Master Bedroom suite comprising Bedroom 1

with fireplace and commanding some of the very finest views over the gardens and the Cuckmere Valley to the downs, 2 radiators, door to

en suite Dressing Room

with range of mirror fronted built in wardrobe cupboards, fire place recess, radiator, garden view.

en suite spacious and luxurious Bathroom

with Victorian style roll top bath on ball and claw feet with mixer tap and shower attachment, matching pair of wash basins, bidet, low level wc, shower unit with shower fittings, 2 heated towel rails, concealed underfloor radiator, ceiling lighting, extractor fan and window commanding glorious views.

Bedroom 2

commanding breathtaking views to the downs, elegant period fire surround, extensive range of bespoke floor to ceiling built in wardrobe cupboards, radiator.

Spacious and luxurious Bathroom

with fine rural views toward the parish church, roll top Victorian style bath on ball and claw feet with mixer tap and shower attachment, wash basin and low level wc, bidet, large shower unit with wall mounted shower fittings, 2 radiators, heated towel rail, handsome period style fire surround and door to walk in shelved linen storage cupboard housing the hot water cylinder.

Bedroom 3

to include the depth of the range of built in wardrobe cupboards, handsome period style fire surround, radiator, glorious downland views and door to

en suite large Shower Room

with large shower unit with shower fittings, wash basin, low level wc, heated towel rail, deep shelved storage cupboard, extractor fan and fine views.

Bedroom 4

with built in wardrobe cupboard, radiator and door to

En suite Shower Room

with shower unit with multi jet wall mounted shower fittings, wash basin, low level wc, extractor fan.

Separate wc

with wash basin, low level wc, heated towel rail, extractor fan and window.

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The staircase continues from the First Floor Landing to 2 attic bedrooms.

Bedroom 5

with sloping ceiling and commanding fine views, radiator and door to boarded loft space with window.

Bedroom 6

with sloping ceilings, 2 radiators and fine view.

Courtyard Cottage

comprising:

Large open plan Sitting/Dining Room

with log burning stove, 3 night storage heaters, deep storage cupboard.

Kitchen

with range of polished granite working surfaces with inset stainless steel sink unit with mixer tap, space for electric oven with filter hood above, plumbing for washing machine, storage heater. Staircase from sitting room to First Floor Landing with deep shelved linen storage cupboard housing the pressurised hot water system.

Bedroom 1

with built in wardrobe cupboard, electric radiator, access to loft.

Bedroom 2

with built in wardrobe cupboard, under eaves storage space, electric radiator.

Bathroom

with white suite comprising panelled bath with mixer tap and wall mounted shower fitting and wash basin, low level wc, storage heater, extractor fan.

The Gardens and Grounds

The scenic gardens and grounds extend to approximately 10 acres gently falling away from the house toward the scenic Cuckmere river and commanding views to the downland beyond. The natural setting of the property must be one of the finest in the Cuckmere Valley and, over the years, it has been further improved by the well known garden designer Ian Kitson and beautifully maintained by the present owners. The gardens radiate from the house in a series of "rooms" and contain an outstanding collection of plants, shrubs and ornamental trees which provide colour through the year with paddocks beyond. A landscaped and naturally planted pond provides a haven for wildlife. There are hidden seating areas and almost all areas of the garden afford a glorious vista to scenic downland countryside. Flanking the formal areas of garden and adding to the wonderful rural setting the paddocks are grazed by arrangement with the local farmer and provides opportunity for the equestrian if (truncated)

Detached oak framed 3 bay Garage

equipped with power, lighting and water and ideal for swallow nesting.

Large Garden Store/Garage

with lighting and mezzanine loft storage. Aluminimum frame Greenhouse, brick and flint built Gardeners Office with wc, Log Store and old pigstye. Oil storage tank. Garden Bothy/Store.