3 bed cottage to let East Dean, Chichester, West Sussex PO18

The PropertyThis quintessential flint built downland cottage is a much loved home and has one of the best locations in East Dean, set on a gentle rise away from the centre of the village with far reaching views over rich downland countryside. The interior has all the character and charm you could hope for, with exposed oak beams and original timber frame in many rooms, a handsome inglenook fireplace and a welcoming kitchen/breakfast room with two oven oil fired Aga. Ceiling heights are comfortable and numerous casement windows make the most of the lovely views over the surrounding countryside and village landscape, whilst at the same time making sure that the interior has plenty of natural light.On the first floor there are three comfortable bedrooms with the first bedroom having a shower room en-suite and views over the valley. Two further bedrooms have exposed oak beams and are served by a spacious and well-appointed bathroom complete with roll top bath on ball and claw feet.OutsideFive bar gates open on to a gravelled driveway and approach. An oak framed barn style car port provides covered parking whilst external steps lead up to a large loft studio room of some 24 ft in length.A stone pathway and terrace lead up to the cottage itself with double casement doors from the sitting room opening on to a sheltered sitting area. From here, stone steps lead up to a further terrace looking south over the village roof scape to the surrounding South Downs National Park. A nearby garden studio/summer house, built to a traditional ship lap boarded design with clay tiled roof, provides a cosy additional reception room away from the main house with oak floor, tongue-and-groove boarding and two sets of glazed doors opening on to the adjacent sitting area. This makes an ideal home office but also has plumbing if there is a wish to keep white goods away from the main living areas. Behind, a gently rising lawn opens out to a larger area of garden with far reaching views over the surrounding countryside. A garden shed provides useful storage for garden implements. To the south of the cottage, a brick pathway leads past lavender beds to a further sitting area just to one side of the former front door. This has spectacular views down the valley to the west.LocationThe pretty village of East Dean can be found approximately 7 miles to the north of Chichester, surrounded by some of the richest countryside in the South Downs National Park and within easy reach of numerous footpaths and bridle paths. Set around a central village green with pond, East Dean has its own public house and parish church, whilst both the neighbouring villages of Singleton and West Dean each have a primary school. The extensive facilities of Goodwood including its country club and private members' club can be found only 3.5 miles to the south. Apart from providing a full horse racing calendar Goodwood also plays host to the Festival of Speed and the September Revival meeting at its historic motor circuit. The Weald and Downland Open Air Museum at Singleton and the College at West Dean also provide facilities for various crafts, arts and courses on restoration. The cathedral city of Chichester can be found some 7 miles to the south and provides an excellent range of shopping facilities within its pedestrianised centre which also includes a good choice of cafes, bistros and restaurants. Other attractions include the internationally known Chichester Festival Theatre and the Pallant House Gallery which houses one of the most significant modern art collections on the south coast. There is a mainline station in Chichester providing regular services to London Victoria in about 1 hour 40 minutes.The waters of Chichester Harbour provide some of the best sailing facilities within easy reach of London and there is a choice of sailing clubs most notably at Bosham, Itchenor and Chichester Marina. The coastline, and particularly the sandy beaches at West Wittering and the National Trust Reserve at East Head provide many opportunities for bathing, windsurfing and kitesurfing.