Mallingdown Oast, Piltdown

About this property

This wonderful Oast House on the fringes of the Ashdown Forest makes a perfect retreat for four

This is an exceptional and beautifully restored Oast House which benefits from many traditional period features set in the grounds of the owner’s 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 hops to be winched up for drying, can be opened, providing fresh air and views over the garden and 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, with bath and wall mounted shower attachment, 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 in keeping 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 provide an outdoor eating area. 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, now owned by the National Trust. The gardens offer a profusion of colour all year round with magnificent bluebell displays and azaleas in the spring through to the brilliant autumnal colours.

The Bluebell Railway is right 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 a branch line over different periods from the Victorian era at Sheffield Park right through to the 1950’s at Kingscote Station. The line is soon to reopen to run 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 go and explore.

Places to Visit

Ashdown Forest Llama Park

Borde Hill Gardens

The Bluebell Railway

Sheffield Park Gardens

What's On

The South of England Show — June

Local shop — Fletching 1 mile

Nearest supermarket — Uckfield 3 miles

Nearest restaurant — Fletching or Newick 3 miles

Local pub — Fletching 1 mile

Nearest rail service — Haywards Heath for London Victoria and Brighton

Gatwick Airport — 35 miles