Detached house for sale in Polegate BN26, 6 Bedroom

The Homestead is understood to date from the 17th Century with later additions. It has a colourful past, with varying uses including a coffee house, "Swanky's" beer house, a butchers, a general store and a bakery. In 1910 the property was bought and extensively altered in the Arts & Crafts style by Eastbourne dentist Loftus Canton. It was then sold to Rosa Lewis, who had risen from humble origins to become a cook and hostess, entertaining Edwardian society including the Prince of Wales. The Homestead became the country sister establishment of the Cavendish Hotel in Jermyn Street, which she also owned. Later, the property was owned by the Ryder family, who presented the Ryder Cup to the Pro Golf Association (pga).

Internally, The Homestead presents light, elegant and flexible accommodation. Features of note include an inglenook fireplace with a Jötul log burning stove in the sitting room, a double aspect dining room/music room with a fireplace (currently gas coal effect) and there are solid wooden floors throughout most of the ground floor. The kitchen is fitted with Bulthaup units and leads through to a utility room and several useful store rooms.

A wide staircase leads from the ground floor up to the first and second floors. A large circular window floods the staircase and hall with natural light. On the first floor, there is a principal suite, two further double bedrooms - one with a vaulted ceiling, and a well-appointed bathroom/shower room. There are three further bedrooms and a bathroom/shower room on the second floor.

The gardens and grounds are a particular feature of the property. Immediately outside the conservatory, a brick paved seating area overlooks a charming walled garden with a variety of flowering plants and shrubs surrounding a lawned area. Various brick paths intersect the lawned areas and lead to an archway in the wall which opens to a stunning further expanse of lawn, formerly used for tennis/croquet, and is bound on one side by a mature yew hedge. The gardens have been thoughtfully planted and feature a delightful rose garden with an Indian sandstone seating area, a small orchard of apple, quince and greengage. There is a large greenhouse with a productive grapevine, a vegetable garden with a soft fruit cage to one side of the house and a summer house on the larger lawn, from which wonderful Downland views can be enjoyed.

To the front of the property, mature shrubs and trees provide privacy, and the gravel driveway leads from the no-through lane to the front door, providing access to the side and the rear. Past the driveway, and a little further along the lane, is access to the property's garage.

The gardens and grounds at The Homestead provide a wonderful setting for this historic village house.

The Homestead is situated in the picturesque village of Jevington, which lies within the South Downs National Park and through which the South Downs Way runs. The village has a church and a popular public house and the surrounding South Downs provide wonderful opportunities for walking and recreation, along with the nearby Seven Sisters Country Park and Friston Forest. The coast at Birling Gap lies about 4.5 miles to the south.

There is a mainline station at Polegate, which is about 3 miles distant, providing services to London (London Victoria in about 1 hour 25 mins), Brighton and Ashford, together with a good range of local shops for every day needs.

The coastal town of Eastbourne and the city of Brighton & Hove are approximately 5.5 miles and 19 miles respectively, whilst the county town of Lewes with its individual shops and food markets is about 14 miles distant. The A27 is about 3 miles, and gives access to the A23/M23 and Gatwick Airport.

There is an excellent selection of schools in the area including St Andrew's, Bede's, Eastbourne College and Moira House.