5 bed detached house for sale

Windmill Hill, Hailsham BN27

Guide - £900,000 - £1,000,000

There are homes with character, and then there are homes with a story quite unlike anywhere else.

The Old Bakery is a substantial and wonderfully individual character home offering more than 2,600 sq ft of versatile accommodation in the heart of Windmill Hill, positioned alongside the historic Grade II* listed windmill that has defined this part of the Sussex landscape for generations.

The main house offers three exceptionally generous double bedrooms and spacious living accommodation, complemented by a self-contained one-bedroom annexe and Windmill Barn, a separate one-bedroom barn conversion currently operated as a successful holiday let. Together, these spaces offer enormous flexibility for multi-generational living, visiting family and friends, working from home or those looking for additional income potential.

Step inside The Old Bakery and its character is immediately apparent. At the heart of the ground floor is an impressive entrance hall, leading to a large kitchen/dining room, separate dining area with multi-fuel stove and a substantial sitting room with a second multi-fuel stove. Two office areas, a utility/boot room and downstairs WC complete the ground floor.

Upstairs, an impressive staircase leads to three particularly spacious bedrooms. The principal suite includes a walk-in wardrobe and enjoys an extraordinary outlook directly towards the windmill. There are two further generous bedrooms, a family bathroom with bath and separate shower, and an additional shower room.

Connected to the main house but with its own independent entrance, the one-bedroom annexe has an open-plan kitchen/living area, bedroom, shower room and allocated parking. It is currently let on a monthly tenancy and, while completely self-contained, there is potential to reinstate internal access to the main house if desired.

On the opposite side of the windmill sits Windmill Barn, a charming two-storey, one-bedroom conversion currently run as a holiday let. The ground floor provides an open-plan kitchen and living space, with the bedroom and bathroom above. It also benefits from its own seating area and allocated parking.

Outside, The Old Bakery has a beautiful private garden with far-reaching views, areas of lawn, raised beds, vegetable patches and established fruit trees. A further detached barn, currently used as a home office and gym, provides another useful and versatile space. There is parking for several vehicles, in addition to separate allocated parking for the annexe and Windmill Barn.

And then, of course, there is the windmill.

Built in 1814, the Grade II* listed Windmill at Windmill Hill is the tallest post mill in Sussex and has undergone an extraordinary restoration, a project in which the current owners played an instrumental role.

Importantly, the windmill itself does not form part of the sale. It is owned, maintained and operated by the Windmill Hill Windmill Trust, Registered Charity No. 1188439. The land upon which the windmill stands forms part of The Old Bakery and is leased to the Trust. The windmill opens to visitors on selected days throughout the year.

For the next owner, this means there is no responsibility for maintaining the historic structure itself. They can choose to embrace its history and community connection or simply enjoy having one of Sussex's most remarkable landmarks quite literally on their doorstep.

With more than 2,600 sq ft in the main house, two additional independent living spaces, beautiful gardens, versatile outbuildings and one of Sussex's most remarkable landmarks as its neighbour, The Old Bakery offers a combination of character, space and flexibility that is incredibly difficult to find.

This is certainly not your everyday home.

Need to know:

Freehold

EPC Rating E

Oil Central Heating, Mains Electricity and Mains Drainage

Council Tax Band House F

Council Tax Band Annexe A

Wealden District Council

EPC Rating: E

Location

Herstmonceux is a charming East Sussex village surrounded by beautiful countryside, offering a wonderful balance of village life and easy access to the surrounding towns and coast. At its heart is a thriving community with a village shop, cafés, pub, primary school and everyday amenities close at hand.

The nearby towns of Hailsham, Battle and Bexhill provide a wider selection of shops, supermarkets, restaurants and leisure facilities, while the coastal town of Eastbourne, well known for its exceptional sunshine record, is also within easy reach.

The area is well served by a choice of primary and secondary schools, making it a popular location for families.

For commuters, mainline railway stations at Polegate, Battle and Stonegate provide connections towards London, while the surrounding road network offers convenient access across East Sussex and towards the coast.

Disclaimer

In accordance with current legal requirements, all prospective purchasers are required to undergo an Anti-Money Laundering (aml) check. An administration fee of £40 per property will apply. This fee is payable after an offer has been accepted and must be settled before a memorandum of sale can be issued.