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Hockley House is a grand Georgian mansion in Cheriton, a bucolic village on the edge of the South Downs National Park. It is surrounded by rolling hills and exceptional rural landscapes. The house – which has been owned by the same family since the 1970s, has recently hit the market for £4.85 million. Approached by a long gravel drive, it is one of those rare finds which manages to be perfectly suited to 21st-century life, while maintaining deep roots in its historic foundations. Such a balance is usually the result of careful preservation – something the current owners have expertly executed.
A former coaching inn, the house has its origins in the 18th century, when it was built in a traditional Georgian style: the facade is pleasingly symmetrical, with white painted windows and columns framing the front door. Later additions in the 19th and 20th centuries are consistent with the house's vernacular, meaning its 12,000 square feet feel harmonious. Its current owners bought Hockley House in 1976, and began a mammoth renovation project which saw them restoring features such as fireplaces, cornicing and woodwork throughout.
On entering, a wooden panelled entrance hall is a nod to the Arts & Crafts movement of the late 19th century, when decoration saw a revival of hand-made objects and artisanal crafts. This impressive space gives an idea of what to expect from the rest of the house: a curation of elegant furniture and artwork feels at once comfortable and sophisticated.
From the entrance hall a wooden staircase winds its way upstairs, and double doors lead to a corridor. On one side of the corridor is a dining room, mirrored on the other by a drawing room. Further through the house you will find a kitchen, breakfast room, library, snug and utility room.
Ten bedrooms are spread across two storeys upstairs, seven of which have en-suite bathrooms. Each maintains a traditional style, with light flooding through the windows and layers of fabric and art bringing life to the neutral walls. The upstairs also plays host to a gym, a large linen cupboard and our personal favourite, a laundry room (why, we often wonder, are we so married to the idea of hauling laundry up and down the stairs?).
A dreamy guest-set up (or extra income from AirBnB) comes in the form of a three outbuildings, including ‘Hockley Lodge’, the ‘Dairy Cottage’ and the ‘Stable Cottage’, where there are another seven bedrooms, a studio and a kitchen in each.
The grounds comprise 9.31 acres and are divided into beautifully manicured gardens, a swimming pool and a large pond.
A home waiting to be filled by a large family (or a small one who enjoys hosting guests), Hockley House is a true gem. The nearby village fulfils all fantasies of country living, with a river running through it, a pub and a primary school. What more could you need?
Hockley House is listed with Knight Frank for £4.85 million.
