Former Home of Country Life Contributor

Built towards the end of the 1930s as a family home, Orchards has had a full history, having been the residence of writer and journalist AGL Hellyer, as well as a market garden in WWII. Orchards has also never previously been offered for sale.

Mr Hellyer and his wife built Orchards himself and it was completed, in the style of a Canadian barn, in 1936; subsequent extensions were added throughout the 20th century, and is now a large house with four bedrooms, a reception/dining room, a spacious lounge, and an impressive landing library on the first floor.

The property is also extremely well placed in the hamlet of Rowfant in West Sussex, within easy access to Brighton, London and London Gatwick.

But the main attraction, as well as a well built, cosy family house is the incredible garden which Mr Hellyer used as an 'practical working laboratory' for his ideas, many of which ended up in his extensive writing.

At roughly 7 acres in total, the garden varies in type from mature bluebell woods, to iris garden, to lovely mature trees surrounding the property, and makes for a space which is always inspiring, but also not too demanding to maintain.

Ideally, say the owners, this house will end up in the hands of somebody who has a deep love of gardening, or an appreciation of the history of the house, or a family to enjoy the space it provides, and appreciates how best to take care of this incredibly special, and historical, place.

For further information on the property or to fix a viewing time please call Penelope Hellyer on 07796 56 02 56, or visit www.sorchahellyer.com to find out more.