Detached house for sale in Arundel BN18, 6 Bedroom

In a magnificent setting, surrounded by the rich countryside and woodland of the South Downs National Park, an impressive Arts & Crafts country house of unique character and imaginative contemporary design, set in beautiful gardens and grounds of some 8.6 acres.

A spacious front reception hall has a handsome oak staircase with matching panelling and carved decoration. Directly in front, an archway leads through to a 23' long dining hall which communicates easily with the adjacent billiard room and sitting room, making an ideal area for entertaining, the latter having panelling designed by Betty Joel. The room has French doors leading to a terrace area with breath-taking views over the gardens to the countryside and wooded hills beyond. There is a wonderful morning room with a feature bay window which enjoys views across the garden and which also has a useful cloakroom. To the east of the billiard room a second reception hall with a handsome fireplace, could be used as a further informal reception room and this leads through to the focal point of the ground floor which is a 32' long drawing room complete with honeyed oak beams, window seats and ¾ height bookcases. Formerly the billiard room in more formal days, this room was served by a small anti-room, presumably a bar or servery. This is now put to use as a very comfortable dogs' bedroom with tiled floor, butlers sink for use after muddy walks and a door with integral dog flap to the garden. On the other side of the house lies the kitchen/dining room, fitted with a hand built oak kitchen, specially designed for the house with a subtle oriental influence. The effect is completed with a decorative dentil cornice and a clever use of lighting. A comprehensive range of integrated appliances is complimented with a 4-oven Aga complete with Aga companion cooker and set against a backdrop of an Italian tiled surround with decorative lighting. The informal dining area has a wood burning stove. The walk-in pantry provides two further freezers, a drinks fridge, ice maker and second dishwasher. In addition to this, a walk-in cold room provides indispensable air conditioned storage for dairy goods, wines and other foodstuffs.

On the first floor, an extensive library landing is fitted with oak bookcases and creates a cosy, informal sitting area around a fireplace with woodburning stove and attractive wood panelling. There is even room for a grand piano.

The generous bedroom accommodation includes both principal and guest suites all of which have their own distinctive character and fitted to an exceptional degree of comfort and style. A self-contained apartment can be reached by way of either an external staircase and decked balcony, or a spiral staircase from the library landing. This provides completely self-contained accommodation, ideal for extended family members, guests or staff.

Gardens and Grounds

Remote controlled gates open on to a driveway, passing through lightly wooded surroundings to a broad turning circle to the east of the house. Nearby barn-style garages provide covered parking for five cars.

To the south east, terraces and sitting areas with octagonal summer house and low level lighting look out over a formal lawned garden with views over wild grass to the fields and woods beyond. Doors from the drawing room and dining room open on to a sheltered area of garden with south west facing brick set terrace. This area has a number of focal points including a neatly clipped pleached beech screen, a Japanese water garden and a handsome beech tree.

A pergola covered walkway leads to the kitchen garden with a central avenue of olive trees lit by decorative lighting and flanked by a series of raised beds to either side set aside for vegetables, herbs and soft fruits. Two traditionally-styled greenhouses are equipped with potting benches, power, heating and water. A contemporary oak framed and substantially glazed studio office lies to the south east. The building overlooks the kitchen garden and has large opening bi-fold doors. This attractive building has a central reception area/meeting room with kitchen facility, storage and shelving. Two further studio areas are arranged one on either side.

An arched gateway from the kitchen garden leads to a sheltered flint walled garden with substantially paved terraces, heated swimming pool and hot tub. Three Beach hut themed buildings provide changing, cloakroom and kitchen facilities. A pergola covered deck with bamboo screening provides a welcoming entertaining area complete with lighting and summerhouse. This area has far-reaching southern views over the pool to the wooded hills beyond. An adjacent concealed yard provides useful hard standing and includes a block built stable style building providing secure storage and housing the heating and filtration equipment for the swimming pool.

An enclosed yard to the north of the house, has a secondary roadway entrance providing both trades and vehicular access to the separate apartment. The apartment is accessed by an external staircase with lighting, leading to a decked entrance balcony.

Beyond the formal gardens, lie fields with a small area of woodland. In all, the gardens and grounds come to approximately 8.6 acres, of which around 4.5 acres is field/pasture land.