Cows at the gate and stags in the garden – there’s no denying you’re in the countryside at this stunning Tudor-style house. The gabled roofs and wooden cladding may look like the English cottage idyll, but this home is super spacious inside and out. A sprawling garden is surrounded by wilderness on all sides with views of Ashdown forest and a Roman-style swimming pool at the centre. A pool house provides a bit of shade and there’s a stone-built barbecue for dining on a summer evening. If the weather turns, you can still enjoy that garden view from the conservatory. Inside, the home is a medley of cottage vibes and lavish modernity. Timber beamed ceilings are a reminder of the country locale, along with the wood-burning stove in the living room and the library alcove just off the conservatory. The kitchen is a shining example of 21st-century convenience, with appliances and gadgets for every style of cooking. We love the picture-frame windows, with armchairs set up by the drinks cabinet so you can enjoy a tipple while looking out over Ashdown Forest. Come bedtime, there’s a choice of sumptuous sleigh beds or four-posters fit for royalty.
Home truths: *This home can accommodate a maximum of 8 adults, plus 5 children on the two bunk beds and pull-out trundle bed
*The pool can be heated but only in the warmer months from April to September
*The swimming pool has now been fenced
*The host asks shoes be removed before going upstairs