Durrant House, Coopers Green, East Sussex
Durrant House is a striking country home in the East Sussex hamlet of Coopers Green.
The unique, stone-built home was designed by renowned local master builder Stanley Durrant and completed in 1939. Built on the site of a former sandstone quarry, which supplied much of the stone used to construct the house, the distinctive property is in an elevated position within its plot, affording spectacular views across its extensive, wooded gardens and grounds.
Soon after its completion in 1939, the house was requisitioned by the Ministry of Defence during the Second World War, with Canadian officers billeted here.
After the war, Durrant returned to the house, using some of the remaining sandstone to create a beautiful curved wing extension to the east side.
Internally, the property exemplifies the Arts and Crafts style, celebrating the beauty of natural materials and craftmanship. Highlights include a wealth of oak joinery, original oak-framed Crittall windows, stained glass detailing and exposed stonework. The generous accommodation extends to 2,827 sq ft in the main house, complemented by a detached annexe perfect for guest accommodation and a spacious home office.
Upon entry, a solid wood arched front door opens into the flagstone entrance hall, off which lie a cloakroom and dual-aspect study. Glazed double doors lead into the light-filled sitting room, featuring wide oak floorboards, French doors opening onto the south-facing terrace, and a stone fireplace with an iron canopy. The sitting room flows seamlessly into the formal dining room, which boasts an Arts and Crafts-style tiled fireplace and built-in book cases.
Further accommodation includes a rear hall/boot room, a large garden room, and a spacious utility room. The curved eastern wing added in 1949 offers a cosy family room, complete with French doors leading to the garden room and a stone fireplace with woodburner.
An elegant oak staircase with striking curved balustrade ascends from the entrance hall to the first floor landing, which is flooded with natural light. Stained glass flower motifs in two of the doors add further charm. There are four bedrooms on this floor, three of which have a dual aspect and offer delightful views over the grounds. The principal bedroom is fitted with oak wardrobes, one of which hides a generous en suite shower room. The remaining bedrooms are served by a family bathroom and separate WC, with one of the bedroom having a wash basin.
Durrant House’s gardens and grounds are exceptional, offering privacy, tranquillity and an abundance of wildlife. The grounds include a sunken garden, a secret garden, and striking sandstone rock outcrops, which feature a cavern and a dovecote.
A small secret garden, accessed from the driveway, is planted with wild roses, a bridged pond and a love seat beneath a magnolia tree. The remainder of the grounds is wooded, with a rich array of native trees, including oak, beech, pine, yew and birch, and an impressive collection of rhododendrons. The total plot extends to about 3.7 acres, providing an idyllic setting.
Rohan Vines, head of Savills Haywards Heath comments: “Durrant House is a unique and very special Arts & Crafts style home, tucked away in a private setting and surrounded by charming gardens and grounds. The stone-built house was designed by local builder, Stanley Durrant, in the late 1930s, with much of the stone sourced from the former sandstone quarry where the property now sits.
“The house retains many of its original features including the oak joinery, stain glass detailing and exposed stonework, while the landscaped grounds – which include a swimming pool and woodland pathways as well as sunken and secret gardens — are a real stand-out feature of the property. Its spread of internal accommodation, along with the detached annexe and spacious home office, are ideal for a growing family or those requiring space for older children or elderly relatives.
“Durrant House is a real gem; a characterful country home, with its current family now seeking to move on after many happy years here, its sale offers an incoming buyer a rare opportunity to acquire an enchanting Sussex property and a slice of local history.”
Durrant House is being marketed by Savills for a guide price of £1,850,000.
