Cotchford Farm Cotchford Lane, Hartfield, East Sussex TN7 4DN The childhood home of Christopher Robin savills.co.uk
The childhood home of Christopher Robin Cotchford Lane, Hartfield, East Sussex TN7 4DN Coming to the market for the first time in over 40 years, Cotchford Farm is an enchanting Grade II Listed country house set amidst wonderful gardens & grounds Hartfield - 0.5 of a mile Forest Row - 4 miles Crowborough - 6.3 miles East Grinstead - 8.1 miles Tunbridge Wells - 9.1 miles Gatwick Airport - 19.2 miles Central London - 35 miles (All mileages are approximate) GROUND FLOOR n entrance hall n drawing room n dining room n study n playroom n kitchen/breakfast room n utility room n shower room n cloakroom FIRST FLOOR n master bedroom with en suite bathroom n 3 further bedrooms n en suite shower room n family bathroom SECOND FLOOR n 2 bedrooms n shower room GARDENS, GROUNDS & OUTBUILDINGS n beautiful landscaped gardens n ornamental fish pond n field(s) & woodland n wooded stream n heated swimming pool n summer house n pool room n covered well n mower and log store n central heating boiler and secure tool store n Ashdown Forest Commoner s Rights In all about 9.5 acres The majority of the photos in this brochure were taken in 2010 and some of the trees and plantings around the house have altered since they were taken. Savills Tunbridge Wells 53 High Street, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1XU tunbridgewells@savills.com 01892 507000
History Delightful Cotchford Farm enjoys a fascinating provenance with both literary and musical connections. In 1924, the house was bought by the renowned author, dramatist and poet A.A Milne as a country retreat for himself, his wife and son, Christopher Robin. It was here, amidst the beautiful Sussex countryside and surrounding woodland where the wonderful stories of Christopher Robin and Winnie-the-Pooh came to life, now world famous childhood classics. The local area is now commonly referred to as Pooh Country and places in the books such as the 500 acre wood, Galleons Lap, Poohsticks bridge and Pooh Corner are all based on nearby locations, where Christopher Robin used to visit with his bear Winnie The Pooh. In later years, the house attracted another famous owner, the hugely talented musician and founder of The Rolling Stones, Brian Jones, who owned the house until his untimely death in 1969. Description Cotchford Farm, which has been in the same ownership for over 46 years, is a most enchanting Grade II listed country house and is understood to date from the mid 16th Century with later additions. The property nestles amidst beautifully maintained, south-facing secluded gardens and grounds, with an area of coniferous and deciduous woodland to the eastern boundary and stream along the southern boundary. Internally, the well proportioned family accommodation is arranged over three floors. Points of note include: An abundance of exposed timbers and beams, some oak frame mullioned windows, painted / wooden drop latch doors, flagstone and polished brick flooring. The wonderful split-level drawing room enjoys an outlook to four aspects and features an impressive inglenook fireplace with brick hearth and wood burning stove. The south elevation is predominantly glazed to maximise the enjoyment of the garden outlook. A multi-paned door opens to an attractive brick paved terrace. Of particular note is the beautiful oak panelled dining room which provides the ideal area for formal entertaining. In addition, there is a study with brick fireplace and a versatile family/playroom with adjoining shower room. The kitchen/breakfast room is fitted with a range of wall and floor cupboards with beech wood work surfaces and tiled splash backs. Integrated dishwasher and space for a range cooker and 2 fridges or freezers. A utility room offers additional space for a washing machine and tumble dryer. Three-phase electricity meter and domestic oil boiler. Situated on the first floor are four charming bedrooms, all of which enjoy either an outlook over the landscaped gardens or the delightful brick paved courtyard approach to the front of the house. The attractive dual aspect master bedroom benefits from a range of fitted wardrobe cupboards providing both hanging and shelving and a well proportioned en suite bathroom with airing cupboard and additional cupboards. The three further bedrooms are served by an en suite shower room and a family bathroom. The second floor has two bedrooms equipped with a variety of fitted cupboards and eaves storage cupboards, together with a shower room.
Gardens, Grounds & Outbuildings Cotchford Farm is approached via an electric timber five bar gate, which leads to a driveway, edged with mature trees and established mixed hedging. The front elevations of the house are enhanced with virginia creeper and wisteria and there is a most attractive courtyard area with rose beds and a raised border which incorporates a small herb garden and various shrubs. The beautiful gardens and grounds are a superb feature of the property and whilst providing a lovely backdrop to the house they also offer privacy and seclusion. To the north-west of the house lies a substantial kitchen garden and apple orchard. A rose clad pergola at the top of the formal garden area enjoys views over four beautifully manicured tiers of level lawn, each with centrally located stone steps, culminating in a dividing stone staircase. The heated swimming pool is surrounded by terracing and there is a timber arbour enhanced with mature climbers, which provides an excellent area for al fresco entertaining. Further brick paved and Sussex sandstone terraces adjoin the house and an ornamental fish pond surrounded by box hedging is an attractive feature. An expanse of lawn with herbaceous borders and an impressive weeping willow extends from the southern boundary to the area of woodland, where access can be gained via a lych style gate. In the garden is a stone statue of Christopher Robin and a sundial book with AAM initials and quill telling the time on a stand with Pooh and his friends carved into it. Outbuildings comprise an octagonal summerhouse, pool plant room, a charming brick building with tiled roof which houses a well, mower store and open garden/log store. There is also an external boiler room, housing the main central heating boiler, in a large garden store and tool shed adjacent to the courtyard.
The remainder of land comprises a partially fenced field with a stream running along the southern wooded boundary. Pooh Sticks Bridge is half a mile up stream. Situation Cotchford Farm is located in the heart of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the edge of Hartfield village. There is a good range of local amenities including a general store, church, gift shop, tea rooms, medical centre and several public houses. Cotchford Lane is a private lane that runs between Cotchford Hill and Upper Hartfield. The property is not overlooked and there is an area of woodland, included in the sale, which acts as a buffer between the house and the B-road that runs between Hartfield and Maresfield. The Ashdown Forest is about ¾ of a mile from the property with around 6500 acres of heath and woodland and there are some particularly attractive foot and bridlepaths throughout the Forest. Comprehensive shopping: Crowborough (6.3 miles), East Grinstead (8.1 miles), Tunbridge Wells (9.1 miles) and Uckfield (10.3 miles). Schools: Hartfield has its own playschool and primary school and there are a number of other highly regarded schools in the area, both state and private including Brambletye in East Grinstead, Cumnor House in Danehill and Ashdown House in Forest Row. Mainline rail services: Cowden (4.5 miles) has services to London Bridge from 46 minutes. Lingfield (10.5 miles) has services to London Victoria from 43 minutes. Sporting Facilities Walking and horse riding through the woods and heathland of Ashdown Forest. Racing at Lingfield Park, Plumpton and Brighton, Hickstead and Ardingly show grounds. Golf at the two Royal Ashdown courses (Forest Row), Holtye and East Sussex National (Uckfield). Communications: The A22 provides access to the M25 and London, the south coast, Gatwick and Heathrow Airports and the Channel Tunnel Terminus.
Directions From our offices in Tunbridge Wells proceed out of town on the Langton Road (A264). Continue into Groombridge village and at the roundabout take the second exit (B2110). Stay on this road until you reach Hartfield village. Continue through the village and then turn left onto the B2026 to Maresfield. After about half a mile turn right into a private lane (Cotchford Lane). The entrance to Cotchford Farm is the first on the left-hand side. Services Oil fired central heating. Bottled gas for cooking. Mains water and electricity. Private drainage. Outgoings Wealden District Council: 01892 653311. Current Tax Band G. Viewing Strickly by appointment with Savills on 018920507000. If there is any point which is of particular importance to you, we invite you to discuss this with us, especially before you travel to view the property. IMPORTANT NOTICE: Savills, their clients and any joint agents give notice that: They are not authorised to make or give any representations or warranties in relation to the property either here or elsewhere, either on their own behalf or on behalf of their client or otherwise. They assume no responsibility for any statement that may be made in these particulars. These particulars do not form part of any offer or contract and must not be relied upon as statements or representations of fact. 2.Any areas, measurements or distances are approximate. The text, images and plans are for guidance only and are not necessarily comprehensive. It should not be assumed that the property has all necessary planning, building regulation or other consents and Savills have not tested any services, equipment or facilities. Purchasers must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise. CSJ/09/11005. 20162052/AH
Cotchford Farm, Hartfield Gross internal area (approx.) House - 351.1 sq m (3779 sq ft) (of which 100 sq ft is of restricted height) For identification only - Not to scale Trueplan (UK) Limited Eaves Access Bedroom 6 4.69 x 4.42 15'4'' x 14'6'' Restricted height Bedroom 5 5.00 x 4.04 16'5'' x 13'3'' Summer house Pump room Restricted height Well Second floor Eaves Access Bedroom 5 Family / Playroom 5.04 x 3.71 Pump 16'6'' x 12'2'' Utilityroom room Well Dining room 4.97 x 4.25 16'4'' x 13'11'' Bedroom 6 4.69 x 4.42 15'4'' x 14'6'' Second floor Study 4.83 x 3.73 15'10'' x 12'2'' 5.00 x 4.04 16'5'' x 13'3'' Master bedroom 5.03 x 4.64 16'6'' x 15'2'' Bedroom 2 4.95 x 4.11 16'2'' x 13'5'' Kitchen 5.40 x 3.60 17'8'' x 11'9'' First floor Bedroom 4 3.47 x 3.05 11'4'' x 10'0''.73 12'2'' Ground floor Master bedroom 5.03 x 4.64 16'6'' x 15'2'' Bedroom 2 Drawing room 4.95 x 4.11 8.19 x 7.58 16'2'' x 13'5'' 26'10'' x 24'10'' Bedroom 3 4.78 x 2.96 15'8'' x 9'8'' First floor Boiler / Store room Bedroom 4 3.47 x 3.05 11'4'' x 10'0'' rawing room.19 x 7.58 '10'' x 24'10'' Bedroom 3 4.78 x 2.96 15'8'' x 9'8''
Reproduced from the Ordnance Survey. Not to Scale mapping with permission of the Controller of Her Majesty s Stationery Office Crown copyright (100041908)