Pulborough, West SussexSold

Greyfriars Lane

Sandstone terraces bordered by century old hedging meander gently along the staggered lawns

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Set in the central portion of a converted Edwardian manor, this expansive four-bedroom house near Petworth, in West Sussex unfolds across some 3,400 sq ft. An imposing, oak-clad entrance hall leads into the main reception spaces, which run seamlessly towards open terraces and a sweeping landscaped rear garden. Vernacular arts and crafts features, such as hand-carved newel posts, stone mullion windows, and original fireplaces, run throughout, fine examples of the era’s obsession with craftsmanship. Nestled amongst the foothills of the South Downs National Park, the house is in a wonderfully quiet enclave of Storrington, host to an exceptional array of schooling and with a fast, mainline train service into central London.

Setting the Scene

The handsome sandstone manor is thought to have been built at the turn of the 19th century as the country residence for a local businessman. The building was later used during WWII as a billeting point for Canadian and other allied troops— a door in the cellar with soldiers’ signatures on it remains to this day. Sensitively converted into three private dwellings in the latter half of the 20th century, the home retains a great deal of its original arts and crafts sensibility. For more information, please see the History section below.

The Grand Tour

Built of buttery yellow sandstone, the house makes a striking impression from its private, gravelled approach. A covered porch has a useful boot room to the side and leads through to the main hall. A grand reception room in its own right, this space has a working fireplace and numerous alcoves, making it perfect for entertaining. Walls are painted a warm ‘India Yellow’ by Farrow and Ball, while chequerboard flags run underfoot. A magnificent oak staircase is decorated with fine arts and crafts carving along its end post and spindles.

Double doors open from the hall into a large sitting room, characterised by its vast stone mullion windows. These are inset with their original leaded glazing, as are most of the windows in the house. Built-in shelving creates storage, and a wood-burning stove adds a cosy touch.

At the back of the plan is the large kitchen, where dual-aspect windows flood the room with light. Wooden cabinetry has been painted cream and lines the walls to allow space for a large dining table in the middle, which could comfortably seat ten. A small hall at the back leads to a WC and a large basement.

On the first floor are four bedrooms. The large, primary bedroom suite overlooks the landscaped rear gardens and has an adjoining Jack-and-Jill en suite with a bath, a WC and a vanity. A large second bedroom has built-in wooden cabinetry and views overlooking the South Downs. Two further bedrooms, one en suite, overlook the gravelled drive.

A large family bathroom is finished in a pale blue wooden panelling with a shower and a WC.

The Great Outdoors

From the main reception hall, there is a charming covered veranda. The perfect place for entertaining, the area is sheltered on three sides and has a covered roof, with mature climbing grape vines and wisteria.

Leading from there, there are a series of three-tiered gardens with immaculate lawns and borders. Clipped, century-old hedging draws the eye along vistas and avenues leading to the bottom of the garden. There are several mature Magnolia trees and well-established planting.

At the far end of the garden, there is a picketed wooden fence, which allows access to the South Downs National Park through a small gate.

Out and About

Storrington has a good range of services, including a Waitrose, a Post Office, schools and other facilities. Nearby Petworth has a wonderful host of amenities, including independent boutiques Bear, Twenty and Tallulah Fox, alongside cafe and deli the Hungry Guest. There are markets in the town on the first Saturday of every month, and the area is revered for its abundance of antique dealers.

A little further afield is the marvellous new restaurant, The Boathouse in Amberley, The Horse Guards in Tillington and The Pig in Arundel, where one can visit the famed Arundel Castle and its gardens for the afternoon.

The South Downs lie right on the doorstep of Storrington and have some of the best walks in the South of England. Mainline train services run from nearby Pulborough or Amberley, with travel times to London of approximately 75 minutes.

Council Tax Band: G

Please note that all areas, measurements and distances given in these particulars are approximate and rounded. The text, photographs and floor plans are for general guidance only. Inigo has not tested any services, appliances or specific fittings — prospective purchasers are advised to inspect the property themselves. All fixtures, fittings and furniture not specifically itemised within these particulars are deemed removable by the vendor.

History

Originally listed in the Domesday Book as ‘Estrochestone’, meaning a place well known for storks, Storrington has a long history as a market town with origins dating back to the Saxon times. Granted its charter in 1399 as an area for tanning and blacksmithing, there are still remnants of Saxon-era lynchets just outside the town.

Several architecturally significant structures lie around Storrington, one of the oldest of which is the Church of St Mary’s, which retains some of its original Saxon and Norman structure. Another of note is St Joseph’s Hall, which also lies on Greyfriars Lane, is a Grade II-listed former residence of the Bishop of Arundel and Brighton and was initially built as a private residence for a US businessman in 1910.

Also notable is Parham House and Park, towards Pulborough, a great Tudor mansion with rolling parkland and superb gardens. The house is open most weekends to visitors and has a large herd of maintained deer.