The Kingscote Estate is nestled in the Kingscote Valley, in West Sussex, between the Bluebell Railway and Wierwood Reservoir. The farm extends to about 152 acres and within the estate an award winning vineyard and tourism destination has been created.
From the estate’s own vineyards and orchard, premium wines and cyder are produced by executive winemaker Owen Elias. The vineyards have been established to produce still and sparkling wine, and 2014 saw Kingscote Estate’s first harvest, from which award winning wines are now being produced.
Kingscote Estate originally formed part of the 1,000 acre Gravetye Estate, which was once owned by the famous English horticulturalist William Robinson. Robinson completely redesigned and planted the entire landscape, and more than eight lithographs of scenes in his Gravetye Manor diaries were from the land that is now the Kingscote Estate.
Robinson died in 1935 and bequeathed the estate to the country, to be used for the study of forestry under the board of Agriculture.
The current owners purchased the farm from the Forestry Commission in 1999 and established the tourism destination which exists today. The initial vines were planted in 2010, 2011 and 2013 and have been planted on the south facing slopes which once formed part of the English country garden established by Robinson.
Mill Place Farmhouse sits in a prominent position on the estate, enjoying views across the vineyard and undulating countryside beyond. Believed to originate from the 14th century, the five-bedroom farmhouse was originally a medieval hall house. It has been sympathetically extended and updated, retaining a host of period features including exposed beams, leaded light windows, original carved panelling and doors, open fireplaces and good ceiling heights.
The Kingscote Estate is in an idyllic and peaceful setting yet it is within easy reach of the villages of Turners Hill and West Hoathly, which provide for everyday needs, with Forest Row, East Grinstead, Haywards Heath and Tunbridge Wells slightly further afield. Savills Rural in Haywards Heath are quoting a guide price of £3,250,000 for the estate.
Kingscote Valley, West Sussex
Excess £3,250,000
152 acres
Chris Spofforth | cspofforth@savills.com | 01444 446066 | www.savills.co.uk
