Berricourt, Yapton, West Sussex

This marvellous Georgian house spans some 4,560 sq ft and sits in its own private grounds of two acres, with outbuildings, mature trees, and a flower-studded walled garden. It sits nestled in the quiet village of Yapton, 10 minutes’ drive from the sandy shores of the south coast, approximately five miles from Arundel and around 10 miles from Chichester. Inside, it has a wonderfully authentic feel, with original fireplaces and windows, Elizabethan beams, and sympathetically reinstated joinery.

Setting the Scene

A building has stood on the site of Berricourt since at least the Domesday Book; at one point, the grounds were even home to a courthouse. The house as it stands today was constructed in the 18th century and is a picture of Georgian symmetry, with its white frontage, six-over-six sash windows and broad doorway framed by pilasters and a pediment. The current owners have thoughtfully updated the interiors, employing a range of Farrow and Ball paints and sympathetic materials.

The Grand Tour

Berricourt’s picture-pretty profile rises amid swathes of greenery. It sits ensconced by its own grounds, a setting that makes for an enhanced sense of privacy and tranquillity. The front door opens to a hallway, which bisects the spacious plan.

A door on the back right opens to the primary sitting room, a bright, lateral space with grey-painted joinery, herringbone-laid oak floors and a handsome fireplace. On one side, a glazed door opens the room up to the garden. A drawing room sits adjacent, with intricate cornicing, more deep-grey panelling and shelving, and an ornately carved fireplace.

Opposite is the dining room, an airy space with a Delft-tiled fireplace. A door opens to the kitchen, a traditionally styled yet contemporary room grounded with large slate tiles. A Rangemaster oven sits centrally, and beautiful Crittall-style doors open to the garden.

Elizabethan beams frame the smart utility room. At the furthest end of the ground floor is a versatile cinema room, a space that, in previous centuries, was used to make honey.

A handsome staircase with its original bannister ascends to the first floor, where four of the home’s five double bedrooms lie. The principal occupies almost a third of the space and is a sublime space with an adjoining dressing room and elegant en suite bathroom. All three of the remaining rooms on this level have smart en suite shower rooms.

There are three additional bedrooms upstairs, their elevated positions affording delightful views. Two have bright en suite bathrooms, and there are deep storage cupboards on the landing.

The Great Outdoors

Two-acre-strong grounds embrace the house, with open lawns and plenty of mature trees. A walled garden has been the horticultural pride of the current owners, who have grown tulips, dahlias and apple trees. A striking water feature anchors at the centre. There is also a large greenhouse, which has been used to grow plants for dyeing, vegetables and annual flowers for the garden.

The grounds are also home to several outbuildings. The largest has been divided between a large studio with a log-burning stove, a gym and a three-door garage, with room to park three cars. Additional parking can be found on the driveway to the rear of the house.

Nestled in the grounds is a separate study, an idyllic place to do homework or work-from-home with a rejuvenating green backdrop.

Out and About

Yapton is a delightful village just south of the South Downs. It has a Co-op and a thriving community centre. There are plenty of lovely towns and villages nearby, including Madehurst, which is home to The Pig in the South Downs, a fabulous restaurant-with-rooms set in a splendid Grade II-listed Georgian house, Madehurst Lodge.

Amberley, one of Sussex’s prettiest villages, is around 20 minutes away by car and is home to a Norman church and castle (now a Relais & Chateaux hotel) and Jasper Gorst’s excellent restaurant The Boathouse. Arundel is even closer and where Arundel Castle, one of England’s longest inhabited country houses, as well as a popular farmers’ market and a charming array of shops, cafes and restaurants. Spencer Swaffer Antiques, one of the top decorative antique dealers in the UK, is located.

Chichester is 10 miles west; it has a rich history and a vibrant cultural scene, most notably including the renowned Chichester Festival Theatre and Pallant House Gallery. The Goodwood Estate, just 15 minutes away, is very popular both within the county and internationally and has a golf course, racecourse and festivals and events throughout the year, including the famous Goodwood Revival. The main house is remarkable and houses an outstanding art collection.

There is a strong choice of independent (day and boarding) and state schools locally. Transport connections are also excellent: Barnham station is around two kilometres away and runs services to London in around 90 minutes.

Council Tax Band: H