5 bed detached house for sale

Shortgate Lane, Laughton, Lewes, East Sussex BN8

A blend of period charm and modern comfort in a tranquil countryside setting.

Description
Laughton House is a superb period home, beautifully presented and full of charm and character, set in over three acres of landscaped gardens and grounds. Originally built in the early 1800s as a Methodist chapel and minister’s house, this unique property offers flexible, stylish living space in a delightful semi-rural location. It was acquired by the current owners in 2019 and has been significantly and thoughtfully renovated, including the replacement of the roof and most of the windows, complete rewiring and plumbing and full redecoration throughout including new bathroom suites and kitchen.

The centrepiece of the property is a superb 36-foot vaulted drawing/dining room with an open fireplace and three sets of French doors opening to a sunny west-facing terrace. Additional living spaces include a cosy sitting room with a wood-burning stove, a ground-floor guest bedroom with en suite, a studio, a study, and a beautiful kitchen/breakfast room fitted with bespoke deVOL cabinetry, quartz marble worktops, and premium appliances including a Falcon range and Fisher & Paykel fridge/freezer. It is served by a utility/boot room, with a cloakroom beyond.

Upstairs, the principal suite spans an entire wing with its own bedroom, seating area, dressing room, and spacious modern bathroom. Three more bedrooms and a bathroom occupy the opposite wing, offering excellent flexibility for family life, guests, or home working.

Outside, the beautiful formal gardens are equally impressive and offer distinct areas to enjoy, including a wisteria clad pergola walk way, a terrace with space for table and chairs and an iron gazebo frame, and a parterre garden. Beyond is a wildflower meadow planted with an abundance of native trees to encourage wildlife, and a productive kitchen garden from which the current owners run a cut flower business. The area is fully enclosed by a rabbit proof fencing, with a range of irrigated beds supported by a greenhouse, cold frame and polytunnels. There is a timber framed composting and machinery store, with a water collection tank.

From the lane, electronic gates lead to ample parking at the front of the house, where there is a well and a large timber shed, and there is a secondary access point with manual gates to the north of the property with a second large timber shed and additional access beyond to the paddock/meadow.

In all, about 3.2 acres.

Agent’s Note: There is a public footpath running south to west along the boundary of the paddock, which is fenced.

Location
Laughton House is situated in the rural village of Laughton, just north of the South Downs National Park. The village has a primary school, shop/post office and public house; the internationally renowned opera house Glyndebourne is a few miles away. There is racing at Plumpton and Goodwood; golf at Lewes and the East Sussex National; sailing at Brighton; and many bridle and footpaths close by. Across the lane from the property is a bridleway with access to Vert Woods, offering excellent dog walking and horse riding opportunities. Amenities: The property is almost equidistant between the historic county town of Lewes (7.5 miles) and Uckfield (five miles), both of which have a range of shopping facilities, leisure centres and a variety of pubs and restaurants. The coastal City of Brighton & Hove is 16 miles to the south west and Eastbourne 14 miles to the south.
Rail services: Lewes station provides connections across the south east and to London Bridge/ London Victoria (journey time from 64 minutes).
Schools. There are numerous good schools in the area, including Laughton Primary, Bede’s Prep and Senior School, Lewes Old Grammar School, Eastbourne College and Brighton College.

Square Footage: 3,940 sq ft

Acreage:
3.2 Acres



Additional Info
Services: Oil fired central heating. Mains electricity and water. Private drainage (septic tank).

Outgoings: Wealden District Council, . Council tax band G.

Tenure: Freehold.

Photographs taken: May & June 2025

Energy Performance EPC rating E

Viewing Strictly by appointment with Savills on .
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.