Wall Hill Road, Ashurst Wood, East Grinstead, East Sussex

Dating from 1892 and originally forming part of a substantial Victorian residence, Little Stone House today stands as a distinct and characterful home, the former link having been removed in the 1960s to create two independent dwellings. Constructed predominantly of stone beneath a pitched tiled roof, the house has evolved over time, with later brick and timber additions, resulting in an intriguing and varied internal layout that now offers considerable scope for enhancement. The extensive accommodation presents an opportunity for comprehensive modernisation and thoughtful reconfiguration to create a more fluid, contemporary home capitalising on the generous proportions, architectural character and remarkable setting.

The approach is to a timber front door opening to an entrance hall with clay tiled floor, from which is access to bedroom two, with a curved wall and en suite shower room. Beyond, a glazed door leads to an inner hall with a high ceiling and fitted coats cupboard, giving access to three further bedrooms and the main bathroom. Each bedroom benefits from built-in storage, with the principal bedroom having its own en suite and enjoying a particularly fine outlook across the gardens.

At the heart of the house lies the magnificent drawing room, formerly the billiard room, an impressive space of considerable volume. A panelled vaulted ceiling rises to a partly glazed roof lantern, bathing the room in natural light, while a wide bay window frames views over the garden. A marble fireplace with tiled hearth and intricately carved chimneypiece provides a fitting focal point.

From here, a series of level changes reflects the house’s hillside setting. Steps descend to a south-facing garden room with sliding doors opening on to the terrace, while a further staircase leads down to a dual aspect dining room, which connects to the kitchen. The kitchen itself is fitted with wooden units and a combination of granite and woodblock worktops, together with a Rangemaster and additional gas hob, and adjoins a breakfast area with walk-in pantry and larder.

A passage extends beyond to a range of practical service areas including a laundry/boiler room, barrel-vaulted wine store, and a former dairy (used by the previous owner as a games room), complete with original slate cold shelving. A workshop is set into the bank at basement level.

Gardens & Grounds
Timber gates set upon brick piers open to a sweeping driveway, which leads to the formal front entrance before continuing down to a lower parking area. Here there is a detached double garage with twin up-and-over doors, along with a lean-to tool store and access to the ground floor service rooms. A further outbuilding provides additional storage and a gardener’s WC.

Adjoining the rear of the house is a broad raised stone terrace, from which wide steps descend to a generous lawn interspersed with mature specimen trees including a walnut and a flowering lime. The lawn was formerly laid out with a grass tennis court and provides an attractive open expanse adjoining the house. Beyond lies a paddock, dotted with parkland trees.

Extending to the north east is ‘Home Wood’, a substantial block of mixed native woodland of around 26.8 acres. The land slopes gently away to a stream before rising on the opposite side, creating a varied and attractive woodland environment. Comprising a mixture of mature trees with an understorey of coppice and shrubs, the woodland also contains a pond and a network of informal paths and tracks. Whilst currently under-managed, it offers considerable environmental value together with excellent opportunities for walking and enjoyment of nature.

In all, the gardens and paddock extend to just over two acres, with the total holding about 29.3 acres.