Balcombe, RH17 6JU £1.75m
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Midwicket was originally the North Lodge (and main entrance) to Brantridge Park, an early Victorian manor house and large estate on the outskirts of Balcombe Village. The architect J Anson designed North Lodge as an ornate and decorative entrance to Brantridge Park in around 1840.
Her Royal Highness, Princess Alice of Athlone and her husband, 1st Earl of Athlone, chose Brantridge Park as their country retreat, and leased it from Lord Cowdray from around 1920 – 1940. Princess Alice was the longest surviving granddaughter of Queen Victoria, and Queen Mary, wife of King George V, often stayed at Brantridge. In 1931, Princess Alice’s daughter, Lady May Cambridge married Capt Henry Abel Smith at Balcombe Church, with their reception afterwards at Brantridge Park. A very young Princess Elizabeth (then aged 5) was one of her bridesmaids.
In September 1978 the whole estate of Brantridge Park was put up for sale by auction by Mrs Martin-Oliver, and North Lodge was purchased at that auction by the present owners, who changed the name to Midwicket (being mid-way between the villages of Balcombe and Handcross), and who have lived there ever since. In 1983 the property became a Grade II listed building (along with Brantridge Park House), because of the ‘intricate scalloped barge boards and original fish scale roof tiles’. These features have been preserved (and maintained) to this day.
Balcombe boasts convenience shops and stores, tearoom, pub, church, sports clubs and Balcombe C of E primary school. The mainline train station provides services to London Gatwick Airport (approximate best timings: Victoria 46 minutes; London Bridge 40 minutes; Brighton 26 minutes). Haywards Heath, Crawley and Horsham offer more extensive shopping, leisure facilities and mainline train services. The A23 can be accessed from Handcross village, in turn giving access to the M23 and onto the M25.
(All times and distances are approximate)
- Entrance lobby and hall
- Sitting room, study and conservatory
- Kitchen / breakfast room, utility room and boot room
- Master bedroom with en suite bathroom
- 3 further bedrooms and shower room
- Detached Guest Annexe
- Double garage, with home office over, and triple-bay car port
- Detached building incorporating gym, workshop and stores
- Stunning gardens and grounds approaching 1.75 acres
- Further woodland of 3.5 acres available by separate negotiation
Midwicket was originally the North Lodge (and main entrance) to Brantridge Park, an early Victorian manor house and large estate on the outskirts of Balcombe Village. The architect J Anson designed North Lodge as an ornate and decorative entrance to Brantridge Park in around 1840.
Her Royal Highness, Princess Alice of Athlone and her husband, 1st Earl of Athlone, chose Brantridge Park as their country retreat, and leased it from Lord Cowdray from around 1920 – 1940. Princess Alice was the longest surviving granddaughter of Queen Victoria, and Queen Mary, wife of King George V, often stayed at Brantridge. In 1931, Princess Alice’s daughter, Lady May Cambridge married Capt Henry Abel Smith at Balcombe Church, with their reception afterwards at Brantridge Park. A very young Princess Elizabeth (then aged 5) was one of her bridesmaids.
In September 1978 the whole estate of Brantridge Park was put up for sale by auction by Mrs Martin-Oliver, and North Lodge was purchased at that auction by the present owners, who changed the name to Midwicket (being mid-way between the villages of Balcombe and Handcross), and who have lived there ever since. In 1983 the property became a Grade II listed building (along with Brantridge Park House), because of the ‘intricate scalloped barge boards and original fish scale roof tiles’. These features have been preserved (and maintained) to this day.
Balcombe boasts convenience shops and stores, tearoom, pub, church, sports clubs and Balcombe C of E primary school. The mainline train station provides services to London Gatwick Airport (approximate best timings: Victoria 46 minutes; London Bridge 40 minutes; Brighton 26 minutes). Haywards Heath, Crawley and Horsham offer more extensive shopping, leisure facilities and mainline train services. The A23 can be accessed from Handcross village, in turn giving access to the M23 and onto the M25.
(All times and distances are approximate)