Hailsham, in East Sussex, has like most English market towns, seen a number of changes to its building stock over the centuries, but the 15th century St. Mary’s Church still rises above all other newcomers and seems to draw the visitor to itself. Just within its shadow is a late 20th century shopping precinct named Vicarage Fields that gives a hint of the formerly large estate that belonged to the parish church. Although a new vicarage was constructed in the 1950s, the Georgian version has thankfully survived and can still be found tucked behind high brick walls just a short walk from the busy High Street.

TEST “I was living in Kent and I saw this place advertised in the paper. I’d always loved this part of Sussex and once I saw the house I quickly made up my mind to buy it,” recalls Noel.

“I was living in Kent and I saw this place advertised in the paper. I’d always loved this part of Sussex and once I saw the house I quickly made up my mind to buy it,” recalls Noel

TEST I used Amtico black and white floor tiles on the diagonal to keep the sense of an entrance hall but the colour of the walls is a welcoming one

"I used Amtico black and white floor tiles on the diagonal to keep the sense of an entrance hall but the colour of the walls is a welcoming one..."

TEST The drawing room was originally two rooms, that were made into one in the 1830s. The walls are papered in Zoffany ‘Damask Design’

The drawing room was originally two rooms, that were made into one in the 1830s. The walls are papered in Zoffany ‘Damask Design’

TEST

TEST Today, the curved walls of the drawing room, created by a vicar in the nineteenth century, have bookshelves with hidden doors that silently open when pressed in the right spot

Today, the curved walls of the drawing room, created by a vicar in the nineteenth century, have bookshelves with hidden doors that silently open when pressed in the right spot

TEST

TEST A collection of 18th century English Delft plates is framed by a blue alcove

A collection of 18th century English Delft plates is framed by a blue alcove

TEST The walls of the snug are a tightly packed collection of colourful paintings and drawings

The walls of the snug are a tightly packed collection of colourful paintings and drawings

TEST The elegantly curving staircase

The elegantly curving staircase

TEST The impressive Blue Room, with its slate blue French wallpaper, looks reminiscent of a Colonial American style

The impressive Blue Room, with its slate blue French wallpaper, looks reminiscent of a Colonial American style

TEST everything has been carefully arranged, so each object provokes interest, but complements the rest to produce a harmonious whole

Everything has been carefully arranged, so each object provokes interest, but complements the rest to produce a harmonious whole

TEST There are well-chosen pieces of walnut and mahogany furniture and a number of gilt mirrors and pictures including a modern oil

There are well-chosen pieces of walnut and mahogany furniture and a number of gilt mirrors and pictures including a modern oil

TEST The morning room on the first floor is filled with books and periodicals for guests to browse

The morning room on the first floor is filled with books and periodicals for guests to browse

TEST The walls have been covered in a warm yellow Colefax & Fowler stripe and the heavy herringbone patterned linen curtains reinforce the sense of discreet luxury

The walls have been covered in a warm yellow Colefax & Fowler stripe and the heavy herringbone patterned linen curtains reinforce the sense of discreet luxury

TEST There are plenty of books and periodicals for guests to enjoy

There are plenty of books and periodicals for guests to enjoy

TEST The second guest room known as the East Room is decorated in a soothing combination of teal blue and soft ochre

The second guest room known as the East Room is decorated in a soothing combination of teal blue and soft ochre

TEST The entrance to Hailsham Grange

The entrance to Hailsham Grange

TEST The bell-shaped summerhouse with its delicate trellis sides peeps through the gap in the hornbeam hedge

The bell-shaped summerhouse with its delicate trellis sides peeps through the gap in the hornbeam hedge

TEST “Lots of my guests stay here as part of garden tours that they do, but the Japanese particularly seem to love the garden, perhaps because it’s so different to their own style,” says Noel

“Lots of my guests stay here as part of garden tours that they do, but the Japanese particularly seem to love the garden, perhaps because it’s so different to their own style,” says Noel

TEST Dahlias in the garden

Dahlias in the garden

TEST I suppose I’ve been influenced by places like Sissinghurst – and I have a little white garden

"I suppose I’ve been influenced by places like Sissinghurst – and I have a little white garden..."

TEST Tall yew hedges lead the way to the white garden which is strongly reminiscent of the larger version at Sissinghurst

Tall yew hedges lead the way to the white garden which is strongly reminiscent of the larger version at Sissinghurst

  • words:
  • pictures: David Merewether
  • styling: Lucy Fleming

Building Connections

After nearly a decade of planning, Dominic and Eve were finally given permission to convert a pair of derelict barns, linking them together to create one very beautiful dwelling Words: Jo Arnell Photographs: David Merewether The story arc of an...

Change it up

Neil and Sharon Maidment’s reconfigured family home is the result of a very successful partnership with OPEN architecture, who opened their eyes to a new layout they never imagined was possible Words: Fiona Patrick Photographs: David Merewether The green modular...

Cut to Fit

Deborah Harrison downsized to a three bedroom house, which she renovated and reconfigured, reinstating the original Victorian features and editing family heirlooms to suit her new home and lifestyle “As William Morris says, ‘Everything has to be beautiful or useful,’”...