The Barn

At the end of a country lane, a super sandstone barn, with 16th-century beams and mullion windows. You get a couple of floors and masses of space, a snooker room on the ground floor and a glass-roofed Victorian extension too (the ‘studio room’), with table tennis; it’s a great set up for families. Upstairs is a sitting room – rugs on wooden floors, leather sofas and armchairs, a large TV/DVD. Downstairs are the dining room and the kitchen – Shaker-green cupboards, cream crocks and up to the minute essentials, and a stable door opening to a view of the owners’ garden. Up a spiral stair (there’s a straight stair too) are bedrooms furnished in crisp country style, bathrooms are characterful and heated underfoot. Enjoy a barbecue on your patio and soak up the scene: all you hear are the birds. Walk to Ashdown Forest – inspiration for Pooh’s Hundred Acre Wood – or bring the bikes: there are cycle tracks at Forest Row. Not only are you are in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty but you’re spoiled by pubs too: take a peek at the Sawday’s pub guide!