The Cottage, Winchelsea

About this property

Quaint, 'Chocolate box', exposed beamed holiday cottage for 6, set in beautiful countryside with views of the sea at Pett Level

The Cottage is a detached, Grade II listed period property dating back to the 17th Century. Located along a quiet country lane, in a beautiful rural setting and with views towards the sea at Pett Level. Nestled between Icklesham and the ancient town of Winchelsea, you have 1066 Walks on your doorstep. The charming cottage, once a home of the comedian, writer and poet Spike Milligan, is the perfect hideaway, in which to rest and relax.

You enter the property through an old oak door into a fairly spacious hallway, with antique terracotta tiles retrieved from a cargo ship which sunk off the coast in 1868. Off the hallway is a ground floor bathroom, with a bath, overhead shower fitting, WC and hand basin. The cosy lounge/diner, with exposed beams, inglenook fireplace, and a woodburning stove, make this a welcoming room that you will find hard to leave. A door opens onto the garden terrace, which has breathtaking views of the countryside and the sea in the distance. This makes it a magical viewing point, the perfect spot for whiling away the hours and for alfresco dining in the summer months. The galley style kitchen/breakfast room is well equipped, with everything you need to make your stay enjoyable.

An open tread oak staircase leads to the landing which has a sloping ceiling, so height is restricted but adds to the quirky feel of the cottage. Bedroom one has quaint sloping floors, exposed beams and again, fantastic views. This room is set up as a twin bedroom. An oak ladder staircase leads to the second double bedroom, the crows nest. With its vaulted ceiling, exposed beams and yes, amazing views towards the sea, this will be a bedroom to be fought over. Bedroom three, a double, again has amazing views and exposed beams, all of which make the cottage have an almost 'dolls house' feel about it. There is a further family bathroom on the first floor with a bath, WC and hand basin.

The south facing garden is a quiet haven with gentle sloping lawns, sun terrace, ornamental pond, separate fenced field and oak framed summerhouse. The views from this pretty cottage are amazing, whether you wish to stare at the surrounding countryside or views towards the sea, many an hour will be enjoyed whatever the season.

Winchelsea and beyond

The Cottage is located in the Ancient Town of Winchelsea, which is one of the few examples of a bastide town in England. It is based on the grid-iron street plan with wide, regular streets arranged around a giant square and the incomplete, cathedral type church of St. Thomas the Martyr. Generally accepted as one of the finest examples of the decorated period in the country, the church contains fine carvings, delicate tracery, lofty arches with piers and fluted shafts of Caen stone and marble and magnificent canopied tombs including the famous Alard Tombs. Many a visitor, hunts out the grave stone in the churchyard of the comedian 'Spike Milligan', who lived at The Cottage. The town is steeped in history, with three medieval gates standing guard against long-departed foes; and beneath the broad streets, the hidden wine cellars of the old port town.

Rye is is about three miles away and like Winchelsea enjoys a colourful medieval past, with plenty to visit and pretty shops and tea rooms to enjoy. The beaches of Winchelsea Beach, Pett Level and Camber Sands, are all within a 10 minute drive. Whether you wish to explore rock pools when the tide is out at Pett Level or walk for miles on the sandy beach of Camber Sands, there is lots to explore from your Winchelsea base. Only 20 minutes away by car is the traditional seaside resort of Hastings. Here you can walk among the fishing boats, or for a more cultural experience visit the new Jerwood Gallery, set amongst the old fishing huts.

Rye Harbour Nature Reserve is just a short drive away. The Nature Reserve lies within a triangle of land extending south from Rye, past Rye Harbour to the sea, westward to Winchelsea Beach and northwards along the River Brede. Renowned for its fauna and flora and as a haven for shore birds, a large part of the nature reserve is a 'Site of Special Scientific Interest'. Hastings Country Park is about 7 miles away and covers 267 hectares of ancient woodland, heathland and grassland, along with three miles of dramatic cliffs and coastline. These can be enjoyed whatever the season.

Places to Visit

Battle Abbey

Rye Heritage Centre

Pashley Manor Ticehurst

What's On

Rye Scallop Week — February

Jack in the Green Festival — May

Rye Arts Festival — September

Local shop — 1 mile

Supermarket — 3 miles

Restaurant — 2 miles

Pub — 1 mile

Local bus service — number 100 from Icklesham/Winchelsea

Mainline rail service from Rye (3 miles) with services to Hastings, Ashford, London

Nearest airport — Gatwick 50 miles