8 bed country house for sale

Lewes Road, Blackboys TN22

A home with heart

There's something special about a house that's been truly lived in and loved - and Brownings Manor has been the setting for big family gatherings, concerts on the lawn, and quiet mornings with a coffee in the conservatory, soaking in that seemingly endless view.

Built in 1904 and once part of the historic Possingworth Estate, it's only ever been home to four families. For the past 25 years, the current owners have carefully restored and cherished it, layering it with art and antiques that sit beautifully alongside the original features. Inside, the details tell the story - grand chandeliers, original fireplaces, beautiful tiles and servant bells, some still ringing into life. It's grand, yes - but it feels welcoming and homely, too.

Approached via a carriage driveway, this is a house that makes an entrance without being ostentatious. It sits within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with uninterrupted views across rolling fields, lakes and the South Downs National Park. No public rights of way cross the land, so it feels private and peaceful.

Inside the manor

Step through the original oak front door and the tone is set: Beautiful wood panelling and ornate doors lead you through to a magnificent hall with a grand staircase, fireplace and striking triple-height window that floods the space with light.

The drawing room is refined and inviting, with a brass chandelier, original window shutters and an elegant fireplace. Sunlight pours in through the windows, which look out over the lawn and rows of daffodils. This space is made for quiet afternoons with a book or hosting friends and family after dinner.

The dining room has wraparound views of the landscape through the sash windows and doors leading out to the conservatory. The conservatory is a favourite space: A place to pot plants, potter and admire the view. In the kitchen, original tiled floors meet a wood-burning Rayburn, creating a country kitchen that feels timeless, warm and welcoming. A pantry sits next to the kitchen - with an original well and pump still in place just outside the window.

Upstairs, eight bedrooms offer plenty of space - many with original fireplaces and those same captivating views. The master suite includes a Jack-and-Jill en-suite shower room, while every room carries a sense of history and calm.

40 additional acres available

The walled garden and open lawns unfold into those extraordinary views - rolling countryside, ancient trees and big skies - connecting you with the great outdoors year-round. The current family in residence owns the fields as far as the eye can see, so this additional 40 acres of land, or a portion of it if you prefer, is available to purchase at extra cost.

A house like this doesn't come along often - full of character, steeped in history, and ready for its next chapter.

Location

Set in the village of Blackboys, East Sussex, Brownings Manor blends countryside living with easy connections to London and Brighton. The Blackboys Inn, a 14th-century coaching inn, is just a short stroll away for a pint of Harvey's and a Sunday roast, live music, or a wander around the popular summer car show.

Village life ticks along gently close by, with a primary school, coffee shops, and an artist's studio within easy reach. Tickerage Vineyard is also an easy walk - perfect for a wine tasting experience, by appointment only.

Buxted railway station is nine minutes away by car, with trains travellling up to London Bridge. Lewes is a 20-minute drive away, Brighton is 35 minutes by car, and Glyndebourne Opera House is 17 minutes away for a world-class programme of concerts and the chance to picnic in the grounds of the estate. It's countryside living, without feeling cut off.