» School’s in!
Andrew Kay finds rural charm and city style in Henfield
Here I am in Henfield once again, one of the loveliest villages at the foot of the downs and one that is a thriving community with a wide range of activities and a full compliment of local shops, restaurants and pubs.
This time we are in a family house that has been converted from a former Victorian infants’ school built in 1844. So, given the fact that we are in a pretty rural setting and dealing with a period property that is over 150 years old, we might expect a rather rustic treatment.
The long maritime history of the area is clearly evident. For hundreds of years, until the First and Second World Wars, Newhaven had been a prosperous fishing port. Steeped in maritime history the port provided quick, easy access to Dieppe and the town continued to flourish with the navy based there. Newhaven still has a large fishing fleet and the Transmanche ferry link to France has daily runs to both Le Havre and Dieppe. Nothing could be further from the truth and when I discover that the developer is Lewis Watts, with the architect John Turner, I am not surprised. I came across their work in Brighton, at a development called Star Of Brunswick. There, they had ingeniously created a set of smart modern living environments from a former pub. This time they had a village school to play with, but it’s clear that the same deft hand has been at work.
On the ground floor the front door opens into a square hallway. Straight ahead the stairs rise to the upper floor and a door opens into a coat cupboard. To the right, a door opens into the main living spaces. Initially you enter the dining space with large windows overlooking the lane outside. Behind, a sleek modern kitchen resists the urge to ‘go country’. Stylish modern fixtures punctuate cool minimal surfaces and storage. A peninsula unit divides the space and offers breakfast dining as well as a large work surface and sink.
From the kitchen, a door opens into a clever combined utility room and WC with lots of storage space.
Back in the kitchen dining area, glazed double doors open into a large sitting room. The windows throughout are traditional sash style but all using double glazed panels. The solid panelled doors, too, have been sourced to suggest a rural note, but in a modern way. Other than that, the look is clean-lined and minimal.
There is a further room off the main living room, ideally suited to a home office or child’s play room.
French doors open into the rear L-shaped south-facing garden with a slate paved patio and beyond a raised lawned area, although newly landscaped, already the air is filled with the scent of a honeysuckle in full flower.
"Solid panelled doors suggest a rural note, but in a modern way. Other than that, the look is clean-lined and minimal"
Upstairs, there are three bedrooms, one en-suite and a separate family bathroom again fitted in smart contemporary style. Two of the bedrooms are double, one with en-suite WC and shower room. The second double has a feature window which goes from floor to ceiling and is the upper part of what was once the main school hall. It is a dramatic detail that highlights the architect’s and designer’s respect for the original building. The property also benefits from a ten year NHBC guarantee.
The Old School house offers an almost unique opportunity to buy into the pretty community of Henfield. Nep Town Road is a quiet property-lined lane on the southern edge of the village but all local amenities are only a short walk away.
For a family who craves the country life but wants a city-style environment, The Old School House may well be the answer.
