Off Gander Green, Lindfield, West Sussex, RH16

Sunte House is a classic and well-proportioned property of special architectural importance dating from the late 17th century (William & Mary period). It is timber framed with brick facings, quoins, string courses and 5 bays on both its principal faces and with later brick Victorian extensions to the west and north. It is Grade II* listed with a total floor space of over 7,200 square feet over 3 floors, plus 644 square feet of cellar. This exceptional house offers fine architectural examples of the era with elegant proportions throughout, a beautiful grand central staircase, with wonderful symmetry and light being special features. A stone terrace leads to the attractive porticoed front door, which opens into a generous entrance hall, leading to the grand and elegant formal drawing room, dining room and a charming sitting/family room. In addition, on the ground floor there is a generous 31-foot kitchen/breakfast room, with island, walk-in larder and AGA. Beyond this room there is a garden hall, approached from which is both the utility room and a cloakroom. There is also access to the large cellar and wine store. The ground floor accommodation is ideally arranged for both formal and informal entertaining and modern family life. From the entrance hall the grand sweeping staircase leads up to the galleried first floor landing, which incorporates a charming library, with tall book shelving over cupboards and a lovely built-in window seat. Arranged on this floor is the principal bedroom suite, comprising bedroom, bathroom and a walk-in wardrobe, three further suites each comprising a double bedroom and a bathroom, 2 further bedrooms, a family bathroom and a study. The second floor provides an enormous family/games room with potential to provide further bedrooms (subject to obtaining the necessary consents) & a large attic/storage room. Sunte House is an exceptional period house with high ceilings, wonderfully proportioned rooms, period features, huge sash windows, offering wide sweeping views of the garden and grounds beyond. This much-loved home has been under the same ownership for near 4 decades and has seldomly changed hands in the past, this is therefore a very rare opportunity to acquire this stunning property. Sitting centrally within its own magnificent park-like gardens and grounds, Sunte House is approached by two private sweeping entrance drives which are immaculately landscaped. The main entrance being from Gander Green leads to a beautiful wide turning circle in front of the house. The mature gardens surround the house and have been beautifully planted and landscaped over many years. The previous owner of Sunte House was a highly respected plantsman and as a result the grounds contain many fine and rare trees, shrubs and other plants, including many rhododendrons, camellias, and magnolias. Some trees have recently been identified as champions. The gardens include sweeping lawns, charming paved seating areas, a walled kitchen garden, and formal flower garden, and a secret garden behind a Grade II listed wall and outbuilding. Lying immediately to the east of the house and drawing room is a charming ornamental pond, from which a path leads to a sweeping lawn overlooking the picturesque lake with island and 'Monet-style' bridge beyond. The grounds also include an all-weather tennis court, 2 greenhouses and fruit cage, an oak-framed dining shelter with BBQ, a small orchard, and a former 19th century carriage building, which provides garaging for 3 cars. To the rear of the house is a single storey, 2-bedroom cottage. Beyond the cottage are the extensive range of farm buildings. NOTE: Consent was obtained in 2006 to convert the farm buildings, together with the cottage into two 4-bedroom dwellings. Minimum work only was undertaken and a certificate of lawful development confirming indefinite development rights has been granted. Please ask Jackson-Stops for planning details and more information. The gardens and grounds provide a very special, quiet and secluded setting for this historically important house. Sunte House is situated in a secluded and tucked away (but not at all isolated) semi-rural location on the edge of both the old market towns of Haywards Heath and the picturesque Sussex village of Lindfield. Haywards Heath has a mainline railway station with fast and frequent commuter services to both London Victoria and London Bridge (42 minutes), Gatwick Airport and Brighton. The town also offers an extensive range of shopping and recreational facilities, including large Waitrose and Sainsbury's supermarkets; these and the railway station are within a mile of the property and are easily walkable. The picturesque and thriving village of Lindfield is also within easy reach and offers a range of shops including a local store, butcher, greengrocer, pharmacy and many great coffee shops, restaurants and pubs. The surrounding countryside provides a vast range of sporting and recreational activity. Glyndebourne, Goodwood, Ardingly Showground and Plumpton are all within easy reach. The local footpaths provide a vast network of stunning walks from the village, many leading towards the South Downs and Ashdown National Parks. There are numerous excellent Golf courses nearby and reservoirs for water sports. The A23 offers direct access to the motorway network, Gatwick and Heathrow Airports and the South coast. There is a very good selection of both state and public schools within the area. Private schools include Cumnor House, Great Walstead, Brambletye, Hurstpierpoint College, Ardingly College, Brighton College, Worth and Burgess Hill Girls.