Soul of the Landscape

Soul of the Landscape: East Sussex

As at home in its natural environment as any building could be, this historic barn has been lovingly converted into a dreamy home. Set along a private lane in the rolling countryside just outside the village of Forest Row, its stunning views and rural setting are about as English as it gets. Here, you have no choice but to slow down, enjoy time with your loved ones and admire the beauty of the landscape. Just a six-minute drive from the village, with its pubs, hotel and nearby golf courses, it's about eleven minutes from the sprawling Ashdown Forest and the famous Winne the Pooh bridge.

As soon as you walk in, you'll feel at home in this space, with its charming period features. The heart of the home is the country kitchen, big enough to hang out in while someone takes a turn preparing breakfast and comfortable enough to spend long, lazy evenings around the farmhouse table. On fine days, you can open up the doors and eat outside on the deck.

A large living room, with high ceilings and a log burner, is a perfect, cosy retreat for a movie before bed, and if you're feeling in the mood for some exercise, you can pop into the room next door for some yoga or weights, or head outside to kick a ball around on the field.

There are numerous walks you can head out on, perfect if you're bringing a furry friend, and you can book all sorts of activities nearby, from horse riding to sailing. Half an hour from Tunbridge Wells and just under an hour from Brighton, it's well placed for day trips too.

Home truths:
*You'll have access to the whole home apart from a small office, which is closed off
*There's plenty of private parking
*The host asks that you leave wellies and muddy boots at the door
*There's laptop-friendly workspace and fast wi-fi