Blackdown Park
West Sussex, Surrey Borders
The Land
The total area of the property amounts to approximately 55 hectares (136 acres). Apart from the house and gardens, the remainder is under pasture or woodland. The land falls away to the south and down the valley, and has been divided into useful enclosures for the grazing of livestock. The woodland is predominantly hardwood.
Blackdown House
Blackdown House is a magnificent early 17th century Grade II* listed mansion house, built of light sandstone with fine stone mullioned windows under a tiled roof. The house is approached from Fernden Lane by a long driveway which sweeps down through parkland to a large gravel forecourt.
Blackdown House is tucked into a saddle of Blackdown Hill and commands wonderful views in all directions from a height of over 500 ft. The formal gardens immediately surround the house with the use of the abundant spring water and some fine shrubs. Further out from the house more informal swathes of spring bulbs underplant orchards as well as ancient oak, beech and other specimen trees. The defining features from any aspect of the garden are the breathtaking views over its own parkland and into the further distance of the South Downs and Sussex Weald.
The heart of Blackdown House dates from 1640 and is constructed in the Sussex continuation of the Tudor style. The house was originally built by the Yaldwyn family who served in the Court of Cromwell and were prominent Roundheads. It is believed that Cromwell himself slept in the house during the siege of Arundel in 1648.
Blackdown House has been the subject of various alterations since its origin, including the ballroom (now billiard room) in 1820. In 1840, on the intructions of Captain James Henry, who had just acquired the property after 200 years of Yaldwyn occupancy, the notable architect Salvin, responsible for much of the House of Lords, was commissioned to draw up alterations, including the large drawing room and main dining room. In 1891 the Estate was bought by Sir Frederick Philipson-Stowe who added a west wing and established the spectacularly mature rhododendron, azalea and camellia garden that one sees today.
In 1941 the house was sold as part of the Blackdown House Estate which at that time extended to some 1,591 acres and included Blackdown Home Farm and several other farms and houses. The property greatly diminished in size in the following 60 years and was acquired by the present owners in 1996. Extensive restoration has been carried out to the house to include the roof, chimneys, rewiring, re-plumbing and work to some of the stone mullioned windows. In addition a great deal of internal refurbishment and modernisation has been carried out.
Apart from the early connection with Cromwell, Blackdown House appears to have been visited by a number of other notable people. It is understood that Edward VII stayed at the house and on several occasions Cecil Rhodes and George Bernard Shaw visited the house being friends of Sir Frederick Phillipson-Stowe. Lord Tennyson was also a friend and regular visitor before building his own house a mile or so away.
Ground Floor
The main entrance passes through into a fine hall.
From the hall access is gained to the drawing room, library and inner hall. The drawing room, has a finely plastered ceiling and a fireplace with impressive over mantel. The library, has an open marble fireplace and carved oak mantel as well as an elaborate Jacobean plastered ceiling.
The first of two fine oak staircases built in square wells with turned banisters, carved newels and reveals, rises from the main hall and adjoins corridor leading to the inner hall, sitting room and billiard room. The billiard room has an open fire with huge carved mantel of Petworth marble.
From the impressive dining room there is access through the west hall to the large kitchen with adjoining breakfast room.
From the kitchen access is gained to the domestic offices.
The staff flat has access from the house as well as independent access from outside. The flat is spacious and comprises a kitchen/breakfast room, sitting room on the ground floor, with two bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor.
First Floor
From the main hall the staircase leads to the first floor landing providing access to 8 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. The panelled master bedroom with open fire and exquisitely carved over mantels, a feature of a number of bedrooms, benefits from 2 dressing rooms.
The second floor gives rise to a further bedroom, bathroom, hobby room, useful storage rooms and attic space.
Gardens
The beautiful gardens which surround the house on all sides are enclosed by stone walls. To the north of the house, terraced lawns lead up to the tennis court and swimming pool, which are protected on both sides by rhododendrons, azaleas, mature beech and oak.
To the east, stone terraces and balustrading leads to the sunken rose garden which is protected by stone walls with a backdrop of rhododendrons and camellias. To the south, 17th century terraces rise to a plateau’ed croquet lawn with magnificent 360 degree views, punctuated by a number of fine specimen trees, including copper beech and wellingtonia with further banks of azalea and rhododendron. In the south westerly quadrant is an orchard, pond, yet more banks of azaleas and rhododendrons and a wild woodland walk.
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