Wealden Times | WT182 | April 2017 | Gardens supplement inside

Above left & left: The contrasting decor of the first floor
bathrooms Above right: A firepace in one of the guest rooms
now houses a studded trunk
bedroom has only recently been vacated by her youngest
daughter: “But I have a feeling there will be people to stay
very soon.” The house almost seems larger upstairs, with
long landings that twist and turn around gnarled beams.
“This is our room,” says Jane, showing us into a large,
double-aspect room, with a beamed ceiling and warm,
pinkish walls. “We took the black staining off the old beams
and left the plaster bare, rather than painting it as it’s such a
glorious colour.” A striking, almost-black carved cupboard
takes pride of place next to the bed. “I’m very fond of that
piece,” says Jane. “It’s a linen cupboard, which I got from
Cindy over in Rolvenden. It gives me joy every time I think
about it and how it’s ended up in a spot where it’s completely
perfect.” Light streams in through the leaded windows on
both sides of the room, completing the tranquil scene.
From outside the bedroom window comes the sound of
running water– a stream that, with the help of a couple of
dams, has been turned into two rustic fish ponds. “There was
talk that this was some sort of monastic property at one time
and that the pond had a particular variety of leech in it, that
was used for medical purposes,” says Jane. It seems that the
curious history of this place goes on and on... My, what lucky
children, who get to run amok around this fabulous house
and garden, uncovering secrets and tales at every turn.