Southdown Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex

We are proud to bring to the market this prestigious detached residence set within 2 acres of gardens, grounds and woodland adjacent to Willingdon Golf Club and commanding outstanding protected views across the South Downs and lush greens of the golf course. This distinguished estate presents a rare opportunity and the potential to create a very special family home.

KEY FEATURES:-
DETACHED RESIDENCE WITH 2 ACRES OF GROUNDS AND WOODLAND
5 BEDROOMS
2 DRESSING ROOMS
FAMILY BATHROOM
EN-SUITE TO MASTER BEDROOM
KITCHEN/BREAKFAST ROOM
RECEPTION/DINING HALL
FORMAL SITTING ROOM
FAMILY ROOM
LOBBY/STUDY/OFFICE
CLOAKROOM/WC
UTILITY/BOILER ROOM
INDOOR SWIMMING POOL AND CHANGING AREA/SHOWER ROOM
WINE STORE
2 X INTEGRAL GARAGES FOR STORAGE
DETACHED BRICK BUILT DOUBLE GARAGES WITH POTENTIAL TO CONVERT (STP)
OUTSTANDING VIEWS ACROSS THE SOUTH DOWNS
PRIVATE SETTING NOT OVERLOOKED
CLOSE TO AMENITIES

This detached cherished home is on the market for the first time in 60 years, constructed to an individual design, epitomising elegance, sophistication, and exclusivity set within 2 acres of grounds. Over the years, the property has undergone further extensions and additions including the luxury of an indoor swimming pool and changing area and offers an abundance of potential to upgrade and modernise. There are two very large brick built double garages with parquet flooring and garaging for up to 8 cars, which could be utilised for any hobby which needs space, a snooker room or gym. Alternatively, it could be converted to further accommodation for use as an annex for multi-generational living or for use as Airbnb business with its close proximity to the Golf Club (subject to planning). There is also lapsed planning permission for a flat construction above the right-hand garage.

For the keen golfer, this property has the incredibly unusual benefit of its own gateway onto the golf course right by the first tea. The course itself is charming and challenging and was designed by Dr Alister MacKenzie, who also designed Augusta National in the USA and the Royal Melbourne in Australia among others. Willingdon Golf course is part of the South Downs National Park and thus benefits a good degree of protection, and the view over the course from The Spinney is also protected by a restrictive covenant.

At the end of Southdown Road and adjacent to Willingdon Golf Club entrance you reach the long driveway and gardens that surround the property. Enter through the front door into the inner lobby and the main dining area or via the garden gate into the kitchen. The ground floor accommodation consists of the kitchen/breakfast room, dining area, cloakroom/wc, formal sitting room, family room, lobby, study/office and access to the indoor swimming pool, wine store and boiler/utility room.

The Kitchen/Breakfast room has a range of work surfaces, wall and base units for storage, stainless steel double drainer, built in double electric oven, plus a further electric single oven with hob inset and extractor fan above and access to the garden. There is space for a fridge/freezer, dishwasher, breakfast table and has views to the swimming pool terrace, garden and BBQ area.

A spacious and elegant dining area is in the main reception hallway, with access to a cloakroom consisting of a separate low level WC and hand wash basin and stairs leading to the first floor. The large Formal ‘L' shaped Sitting Room exudes timeless charm with a central open fireplace and built in recess cabinet with arched shelving. The room maximises the abundance of natural light with surrounding windows and stunning views to the rear gardens, Willingdon Golf Course greens and beyond to the South Downs.

Leading on from the sitting room are two doors, one leads to a 24’ Family Room with fitted cabinets and wall shelving leading out onto the garden. The second exit from the sitting room leads on through the lobby with further storage/shelving and access to the garden and into the Study/Office, which has been fitted with cabinets and shelving, ideal for working from home.

From the rear lobby the Indoor Swimming Pool is of delightful and unusual design, by local Danish architect Sven Hoyer with its sliding doors surrounding and opening out onto the terrace and garden for warmer days. There is a convenient changing area for the pool, with a fully tiled shower cubicle, hand wash basin and low level WC. An adjacent boiler/utility room houses the pumps and pool filtration system to the swimming pool, two newly installed boilers, back-up generator for the property, as well as plumbing and space for a washing machine/dryer. A Wine Store is situated next to the Utility Room and boasts plenty of room for your favourite tipple.

Stairs from the hallway entrance rise to the first floor accommodation which consists of 5 Double Bedrooms, an En-suite Bathroom, 2 Dressing Rooms which are ideally located to be converted, and a Family Bathroom. The landing houses the linen cupboard, hot water cylinder and retractable ladder to the large loft space.

The 17’ Master Bedroom has fitted wardrobes with matching bedside cabinets and benefits from an En-suite Bathroom with panelled bath, mixer tap, shower attachment, wash hand basin and low level WC. The Family Bathroom consists of a panelled bath with mixer taps, wash hand basin, heated towel rail and separate low level WC. There are 4 further double bedrooms and 2 Dressing Rooms which could be converted to further en-suites should they be required. The whole of the first floor embraces the stunning and idyllic views of the gardens, greens and South Downs.

OUTSIDE: The property is well set back from the road with a long driveway for plenty of off-road parking and sits amongst 2 acres (tbv) of established gardens, grounds and woodland offering both privacy and seclusion. Within the wooded area, there are the footings of an original garage which could be re-built/replaced with another similar building (STP). The gardens are arranged as separate areas, on the west side of the house accessed by the sitting room is the patio and pond with views to the downs with an access gate to the golf club, moving clockwise around the house you have the spinney and the croquet lawn which leads on through the 5 bar gate to the vegetable, fruit cage area and apple trees, finally proceeding onto the entertainment area with BBQ and terrace outside the swimming pool and kitchen.

GARAGES AND POTENTIAL: Attached to the house there are two integral garages with power and light currently used for storage of garden equipment. There are two further extra-large brick built detached garages, both with power, light and water which have been an addition over the years and were purpose built as a workshop and large storage area. These present further potential to redevelop for an annex for multi-generational living or to create additional accommodation for use as a business (STP). Or to be utilised as a gym, snooker room or a hobby which requires lots of space.

LOCATION: This remarkable residence has the feel of a country property with the convenience of the town centre of Eastbourne being only a 10 minute drive (3miles). Eastbourne is a seaside resort with an array of amenities and attractions to explore from the many theatres, shops, restaurants and sporting activities. For leisure pursuits, there many golf courses, water sports including boating activities having easy access to Eastbourne Marina, as well as the beautiful undulating hills of the South Downs with an array of footpaths/bridleways and the famous Seven Sisters cliffs with ‘Beachy Head’ being the most infamous. A range of educational choices of private schools include St Andrews, Bedes and Eastbourne College which are all in close proximity or Willingdon, Cavendish and Gildredge House for state schools. Mainline train stations close by are Eastbourne and Polegate which are a 5-10 minute drive and operate direct connections into central London.

Agents comments: “A most remarkable and spacious house which offers plenty of potential to create a perfect family home”