NEW HALL LANE

New Hall is an elegant Grade II listed family home, believed to be one of the oldest dwellings in Henfield and with a particularly well-documented history. Although the first written mention of the property is in 1560, the majority of the present house was built soon after 1621 by Prosper Rainsford, a London surgeon. The house was extensively rebuilt in the early 19th century, resulting in the largely Regency style of the existing property, in particular the sash windows, shutters, elegant fireplaces and stuccoed facade.

The principal reception rooms are either side of the impressive entrance hall and include an elegant drawing room and a spacious dining room, both with sash windows and featuring handsome fireplaces.

Lying beyond the dining room, the garden room was added in 1962, a sympathetic extension in the style of an 18th century orangery. It has block parquet flooring and three sets of bi-fold doors giving access to the south-facing terrace and lavender gardens with views to the South Downs, and access to the gardener’s WC.

The study has lovely views over the walled garden, original working shutters and a cast iron fireplace with wood surround and tiled hearth. An inner hall leads to the conservatory, creating a lovely spot to enjoy the views across the walled garden throughout the year, and gives access to the cloakroom.

The kitchen/breakfast room is fitted with a range of units and a large Aga, which is set under the original oak bressummer. It is served by an adjoining scullery/utility room.
There are two cellars; one a boiler room with original chutes for wood and coal deliveries and the other used as a wine store.

The stairs rise to a split level, first floor landing with full height, arched window overlooking the courtyard, cloakroom and stairs rising to the attic rooms.
The principal bedroom is double aspect, overlooking the walled garden and has a spacious en suite bathroom. There are four further well-proportioned bedrooms (one with an en suite shower and sauna room) all with sash windows and some with working shutters.

Four have storage cupboards and two benefit from original feature fireplaces. A family bathroom with modern suite completes this section of the first floor accommodation.
Adjoining the north western elevation is a versatile suite of rooms which can be completely self-contained to provide provide secondary accommodation, with its own front door opening from the courtyard, or accessed from within New Hall as at present. It comprises sitting room (currently used as a gym), kitchen/breakfast room, and first floor bedroom with bathroom. These rooms have their own council tax listing under ‘The Cottage at New Hall’.

The Dairy is an attached wing forming the south side of the courtyard garden. It offers excellent self-contained ancillary accommodation, with a ground floor storage room and a two bedroom first floor flat. Whilst the flat is currently registered for residential purposes, it has previously been registered for commercial use, providing short term holiday lets.

Outbuildings and Garaging

New Hall is approached from New Hall Lane via an impressive lime tree avenue which opens to parking area and parterre garden ahead of the house. A spur from the main driveway leads to the Coach House a brick and timber building offering three garage bays and adjoining workshop and to a further area of parking. Beyond this is the 19th century Old Barn, providing additional storage and further access to the Lane. Adjoining The Dairy are two glass houses, one housing a vine, and a potting shed.

Gardens

The gardens are a key feature of the house, having been landscaped by award winning gardener Juliet Sargeant for the present owners.

To the front of the house is striking parterre garden, and lying immediately to the north of the house is a beautiful red-brick walled garden, with a spacious stone terrace, croquet lawn, productive vegetable and flower beds, and a central pergola walkway. The walls are Grade II listed and contain four round-headed recesses which were originally bee-boles. In the north east corner of the walled garden is a timber summer house, and in the south east corner is a timber “winter house” with a central solid fuel heater.

To the south of the house, accessed from the garden room, is a York stone terrace and lavender field, with wonderful views to the South Downs and a shepherd’s hut nestled in one corner.

To the north of the Coach House, screened by a beech hedge is a fruit garden, with a number of raised beds, mature fruit trees and bushes, and a polytunnel. The remainder of the grounds are dotted with specimen trees.

In all about 4.1 acres (including New Hall Lane).