DESCRIPTION
Bookers Farm is a charming Grade II listed Sussex farmhouse, with converted barn, various outbuildings, gardens, land and woodland, situated in a beautiful rural location, to the west of Bolney village. The origins of the main house are believed to date back to the mid 1400’s, being originally a small ‘Hall House’ which was probably extended in the late 1500’s/early 1600’s and with other later additions. The external elevations are a combination of clay brick, with some clay tile hanging, with a combination of leaded light and painted wood framed casement windows under mainly clay tile roofs. The accommodation affords much charm and character with a wealth of period features, such as exposed oak beams, inglenook fireplaces and original doors. The ground floor includes an entrance hall, a drawing room with inglenook fitted with a wood burning stove, a dining room with inglenook, a study, sitting room, AGA-fitted kitchen/breakfast room and utility room with shower. On the first floor are 5 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, plus a large landing/library.
Bookers Farm is approached over a long drive that leads into an area of hard standing providing ample space for parking. To one side is a gateway that leads into a further drive on to the open bay double garage. To the right is a stone built stable building and to the left is Bookers Barn, a beautiful timber framed Sussex barn which has been converted in to a 1-2 bedroom annexe or which could be let as a self-contained dwelling or used as a party barn or even a home office. The accommodation of Bookers Barn includes high vaulted ceilings to the main living room, extensive exposed beams and a first floor mezzanine at one end, as well as a fitted kitchen/breakfast room, cloakroom, bedroom and en suite bathroom, The ground floor area is wheelchair user-friendly.
The house sits well within the gardens that include some more formal and informal areas, with a variety of plants, shrubs and trees, as well as an ornamental pond, brick and paved terracing, mature hedges, and a pond to the south stocked with carp. Beyond the house is a vegetable garden, with raised beds, small greenhouse and some outbuildings which include a garden room with outside wc and a large timber clad building which is divided into various sheds including a garden store, potting shed, mower store, tool store, wood shed and a store room. To the north is a hard surface tennis court adjacent to a substantial four bay concrete portal frame open sided Dutch Barn (60ft x 50 ft), which could be suitable for a variety of uses, subject to planning.
The land lies mainly on the west and south side of the house and is divided into four enclosures, with mature hedgerows, areas of bluebell woodland and a small recently established plantation of 500 mixed native broadleaf trees. A stream (tributary of the river Adur) flows along the southern boundary of the land. In all the property extends to approximately 15.69 acres. The fields have been managed for sheep grazing and a yearly hay crop.
LOCATION AND AMENITIES
Bolney is a charming and attractive village with history dating back to mediaeval times. It is thought that the village name came from the Saxon word ‘Bolne’ meaning ‘a village (or high place) near marsh’. At the heart of the village is St Mary Magdalene Church, which partly dates from the 12th century. The tower houses the first ring of eight bells in Sussex, the oldest dating back to 1592. The last remaining pub in the village is called The Eight Bells in reference to the set of bells in the village church. There is a modern village hall, Batchelors Field recreation ground, cricket club, community café and both preschools and a popular Church of England primary school. The local service station on the A272 also has shopping facilities. There is a very good selection of both state and independent secondary schools within easy reach, namely Warden Park Secondary Academy, Great Walstead, Handcross Park, Cottesmore School, Hurstpierpoint College and Ardingly College.
Cuckfield is less than 4 miles away and provides good local shops with Haywards Heath for a more comprehensive range of shops including Waitrose & Sainsburys. For the wine enthusiasts, the award winning Bolney Wine Estate adjoins Bookers Farm on its north boundary. For the culture seekers, Glyndebourne is just over 20 miles, and the annual Brighton Festival with theatre, dance, classical music and literary event is just half an hour away. Leisure activities include equestrian events at Hickstead, a mere 3 miles away, and a large choice of golf courses within easy reach. Also close by are Ockenden Manor and South Lodge country hotel and spas and the stunning Grade I listed Leonardslee House and gardens. There are many walking and cycling opportunities locally.
There is a mainline rail service from Haywards Heath (6 miles) with a fast service in to London Victoria from around 45 mins. The A23 connects with the M23 providing access to Gatwick Airport (15 miles) and the M25 (25 miles) and central London (41 miles) beyond.
SERVICES
Mains electricity and water are connected. Drainage is to a private modern system. LPG gas fired boiler providing central heating and hot water. Fibre broadband connected.
COUNCIL TAX (2024/25)
Bookers Farmhouse Band G - £3,536.40
Bookers Barn Band D - £2,121.84
EPC
Bookers Farmhouse Band F (36)
Bookers Barn Band D (56)
RIGHTS OF WAY & WAYLEAVES
The property is sold subject to and with the benefit of all existing rights of way whether private or public, including rights of way, drainage, water and electricity supplies, covenants, restrictions and obligations and all wayleaves whether referred to or not. It should be noted that a public footpath follows the drive from Foxhole Lane and divides: one arm running north to Bolney Wine Estate and another south towards Old Mill House Farm.
PLAN
The plans and stated acreages in these details are for identification and information purposes only and potential purchasers must rely on their own investigations.
ENTITLEMENTS
The land is registered as agricultural land and there may be opportunities to enter agri-environmental support schemes including Countryside Stewardship.
FIXTURES & FITTINGS
All fixtures, fittings and chattels whether referred to or not are specifically excluded from the sale, including all farm related equipment.
LOCAL AUTHORITIES
West Sussex County Council 01243 777100
Mid Sussex District Council 01444 458166
DIRECTIONS
Follow the A272 in an easterly direction, through the village of Cowfold and after approximately 2.8 miles turn left in to Foxhole Lane the signpost will say ‘Narrow Lane’. After exactly 0.4 miles you will see the entrance to Bookers Farm on the left-hand side.
Take care to turn in to the first drive (ungated) as the entrance to the neighbouring vineyard is alongside. Continue down this drive and you will see Bookers Farmhouse in front of you.
DISCLOSURE
One of the vendors of this property acts as a consultant to RH & RW Clutton and, as such, is a connected person within the meaning of the Estate Agents Act 1979.
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