This is an exceptional and beautifully restored oast house, which benefits from many traditional period features set in the grounds of the owners tile hung Sussex farmhouse.

Mallingdown Oast enjoys a rural setting with views west over the Sussex Weald towards Fletching.

In the summer the doors that once formed the first floor hatch, to allow corn to be winched up can be opened providing fresh air and views over the garden and the countryside to the north. It is a wonderful traditional feature cleverly incorporated in this restoration.

The oast house sleeps four, with a double bedroom and family bathroom on the ground floor and twin bedded room and separate cloakroom on the first floor.

The bedrooms are located within the turret, a familiar feature of oast houses and it just adds to the atmosphere sleeping in a room with circular walls!

The galleried living area with exposed roof timbers and leather sofas, is a relaxing space to unwind and a couple of low beams just add to the character.

Downstairs the kitchen is comprehensively equipped and inline with a considerate restoration; it benefits from underfloor heating throughout.

The private garden area takes in the views to the west, where a table and garden chairs are provided for when it is good for outdoor eating. This is a relaxing and peaceful home in which to stay.

As the galleried living area overlooks the dining area from the first floor, the oast house is not suitable for families with children under six years of age.

Piltdown and beyond:

Piltdown is best known for the discovery of a skull and jaw of an early human to become known as Piltdown Man in 1912, which at the time was considered a significant find, but in 1953 was found to be a very elaborate hoax.

That aside Piltdown is in a beautiful area right on the fringes of the Ashdown Forest, with 14,000 acres of lowland heathland that has never been cultivated; it provides a unique habitat for many species of flora and fauna, and of course is the home of Winnie the Pooh!

Fletching only a mile away is the nearest village with picturesque church and local pubs. It backs on to Sheffield Park Gardens a magnificent internationally renowned Capability Brown landscaped garden, owned by the National Trust.

The Bluebell Railway is next door to the gardens at Sheffield Park. It is the preservation of a local branch line and runs north through Horsted Keynes to Kingscote, recreating life on the branch line from the Victorian era right through to the 1950s.. The line is soon to reopen to East Grinstead and is today one of the major visitor attractions in Southern England.

We feature links to both the Bluebell Railway and Sheffield Park Gardens under Places to visit on our website.

Journey south from Mallingdown Oast and Eastbourne and the chalk cliffs at Beachy Head are within a half hour drive.

It is a beautiful area in which to stay and there is much to invite you to explore.