Entire home

Charming old early Victorian Oast House converted into a comfortable home

Photo gallery for Charming old early Victorian Oast House converted into a comfortable home

The Oast House and garden walk
The Oast House in Spring
The Oast House entrance pergola
The Oast House entrance steps
Exterior
Reviews
9.2

Wonderful

5 bedrooms1+ bathroomSleeps 12

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub
    Hot tubHot tub
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grillBarbecue grill
  • Washer
    WasherWasher
  • Pool
    PoolPool
  • Pet-friendly
    Pet-friendlyPet-friendly
  • Kitchen
    KitchenKitchen

Check-in time

4:00 PM

Check-out time

11:00 AM

Explore the area

Map
Hailsham
  • Popular LocationDrusillas Park12 min drive
  • Popular LocationGlyndebourne Opera House15 min drive
  • Popular LocationEastbourne Beach20 min drive
  • AirportLondon (LGW-Gatwick)60 min drive

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

4 Poster bedroom

1 Double Bed and 1 Crib

Dining Room sofa bed

1 Double Futon

Family bedroom

2 Single Beds and 1 Double Bed

Single Bedroom

1 Single Bed

Triple bedroom

3 Single Beds

1 bathroom, 2 half bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Shower only

Downstairs toilet with basin

Toilet

Upstairs toilet with basin

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Garden

About this property

Charming old early Victorian Oast House converted into a comfortable home

The Pekes Oast House sleeps up to 12 people in 4+ bedrooms, and features its own private Spa Bath. The Oast House is a charming old double tower Oast with a bathroom, shower room and 2 separate WCs with hand basins. There are 2 large downstairs reception rooms, one of which can be used as a dining room, a spacious kitchen, a large private garden and lovely views towards the South Downs.

Originally built in the 19th century for drying hops for the brewing trade, it was converted in about 1911 into a comfortable summer house by my grandfather for his widowed mother Lady Mayo. Like most old Oasts, it has a special atmosphere, not least because the main rooms are round. It is approached up some old steps and along a pillared rose-clad pergola. It is a great favourite with our visitors.
The comfortable downstairs accommodation includes:

A private Arctic Spa Bath in the garden that seats 4 to 6 people, with a constantly maintained temperature of 35°C which is always ready to use.
A quite large hall with coat cupboard, and also a shower room and a WC off it.
A large circular TV sitting room with a parquet floor, an attractive working open fireplace, comfortable furniture and a door out onto the patio and garden.
A large circular dining room with unusual tables and chairs that will seat up to 18 people. There is also a sofa bed that opens into a 4ft (1.2 m) double bed.
A large fully equipped airy kitchen, with views out on 3 sides, which features a lovely light oak table that seats 12.
It has an electric double-oven cooker, a microwave, dishwasher, washing machine, fridge freezer and coffee machine. The kitchen has its own door, which leads out to a working BBQ area.
A WC and hand basin

The stairs featuring a huge and beautiful painting of my mother in 1920, lead to the first floor containing:

One very large circular double bedroom with a magnificent 4’6” (1.37 m) 4-poster bed.
Another very large circular family bedroom, with one 4’6” (1.37 m) Zip&Link double bed, and two 3’ (91 cm) single beds.
A 3rd bedroom with a two 3’ (91 cm) beds and a 2’6” (76 cm) divan.
The 4th, little, bedroom with a 3’6” (1.06 m) bed.
Another folding bed is available on this floor.
The bathroom has a bath (with ‘telephone shower’), basin and WC, and there is a separate toilet room with WC and basin.
The house has oil-fired central heating.

The Oast House has its own large private garden. There is ample parking for 6-8 cars.

Pekes estate has a large garden and park, and among the facilities that guests can enjoy are our heated indoor Swimming Pool and our hard macadam Tennis court. It is set in the middle of beautiful Wealden farming land within sight of the South Downs National Park, and there are many interesting local walks that can be accessed directly from the house. There is a village shop nearby and 2 pubs within 1 mile. The coast with its beaches and the Seven Sisters with their spectacular chalk cliffs are a few miles away.

Property manager

Kildare Borrowes

Languages

English, French

Amenities

Pool
Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

Pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property

About the area

Hailsham

Located in Hailsham, this holiday home is in a rural area. The area's natural beauty can be seen at South Downs National Park and Eastbourne Beach. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Arlington Stadium or Priory Lane. Discover the area's water adventures with fishing and swimming nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking and horse riding.
Map
Hailsham

What's nearby

  • Drusillas Park - 12 min drive
  • Glyndebourne Opera House - 15 min drive
  • Eastbourne Beach - 20 min drive
  • Sovereign Harbour - 20 min drive
  • Seven Sisters Country Park - 24 min drive

Getting around

  • Polegate Station - 10 min drive
  • Gatwick Airport (LGW) - 60 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Lakeside Café - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Hawkswood - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪The Plough - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Costa Coffee - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪John's Fish Bar - ‬8 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Charming old early Victorian Oast House converted into a comfortable home have a pool?

Yes, this property has an indoor pool. Pool types include heated pools.

Is Charming old early Victorian Oast House converted into a comfortable home pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Charming old early Victorian Oast House converted into a comfortable home?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Charming old early Victorian Oast House converted into a comfortable home?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Charming old early Victorian Oast House converted into a comfortable home located?

Situated in a rural location, this holiday home is within 3 miles (5 km) of Blackberry Farm Park, Horam Park Golf Club and Wellshurst Golf Club. Michelham Priory and Knockhatch Adventure Park are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 9 out of 15 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 15 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 15 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 15 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 15 reviews" "

9.4/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Check-in

9.4/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.4/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

jayne l.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Christmas break
Wonderful place for a family break. Plenty of room inside and out for our family of 9 plus 2 large dogs. There is enough to keep everyone happy, swimming pool, hot tub, playground, tennis court, lovely walks. Would definitely recommend and would love to return one day.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

8/10 Good

Julia B.

Liked: Communication, location, listing accuracy
A lovely family weekend
We knew this was an historical property with a whole host of additional attractions (pool, spa, Children’s adventure playground) in a beautiful setting. In this regard nothing disappointed and I would highly recommend it. What I would say though is that our property was suffering from some degree of decay and although a bit of this in a period property just adds to the authenticity, there was perhaps a little too much in some rooms. Otherwise truly wonderful place
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

gordon m.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
90th birthday celebration
A wonderful house, full of character and very homely, well,proportioned with plenty of space for us all, well furnished and the kitchen well equipped for cooking with plenty of crockery as well
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2021

8/10 Good

Andrew O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A lovely place to stay
The estate is amazing. The buildings are beautiful and the grounds and gardens are lovely. A lot of things need a lick of paint or a bit of TLC but that didn’t detract from our stay at all.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Sarah S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A charming cottage
A charming cottage in a stunning location. It’s like a step back in time - everything worked, spotlessly clean, great swimming pool, Some things are a little tired but nothing a bit of a spruce up wouldn’t fix
Stayed 3 nights in May 2021

8/10 Good

Ian T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family birthday party
Rebooked this a couple of times due to COVID but communication was good. Lovely setting - full of character. Shame the weather wasn’t better.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

marie m.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stunning location
Such an historic beautiful oast house, the setting was beautiful the house was large with large bedrooms, great size kitchen and long table to fit everyone around, we all truly had a great time, the kids played tennis and used the swimming pool, would definitely re visit 10/10
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2020

10/10 Excellent

Emmett P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place, loads of space.
We rented this property for a group of 9 people staying onsite for 3 nights. The property was great for sunbathing in the garden and hanging out together in the evening. We had plenty of privacy so weren’t bothered by anyone else on site. The pool was great and the rota worked to ensure we got plenty of pool time.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Matt S.

Lovely time
The house is lovely and all the facilities you could imagine are there, the team were very helpful before hand helping our plans to accommodate our stay. The grounds are lovely too and all the beds are really comfortable. Would recommend!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2019

10/10 Excellent

Graham M.

Amazing!
Beautiful setting, lovely house and really helpful staff. Accommodated a late check out with ease and had fresh flowers waiting on our arrival. My friends and I would whole heartidly recommend the Oast House and may return ourselves in the summer.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2018

8/10 Good

Anne Simone H.

Wel heeel oud allemaal, maar dat past bij de sfeer!
Schoon maar dated.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2018

10/10 Excellent

Eleanor K.

An amazing stay in beautiful surroundings
We had a fantastic weekend in the Oast House. The house itself was beautiful and quirky, and perfect for our group of twelve - and the beds were so comfortable! The circular lounge with open fire was ideal for socialising and games. We very much enjoyed relaxing in the Arctic bath spa, a great way to top off an evening or have a mellow afternoon. The surrounding grounds and countryside are stunning. Kildare was an extremely friendly and helpful host. I would definitely recommend a stay here, and very much hope to visit again.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2018

10/10 Excellent

alice c.

wonderful retreat in a super location
Pekes Oast House is a really lovely old house with bags of charm and a great base to explore the local area for a large group of friends and family. we all had a really relaxing time and felt looked after by the Pekes staff. A great place to stay I would recommend
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

David B.

Very nice and a little bit querky
Central heating needs upgrading but a lovely big family kitchen and open fire in sitting room. Very clean and tidy.... congratulations to the cleaners
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

6/10 Okay

Flip B.

Quirky collection of houses in beautiful setting
We had a lovely weekend; the Oast House suited our purpose as it offered a good base for our party of grandpa, grandma, young adult parents and small children. However, be aware that the house is not only old and quirky, but also tired and dated which is not reflected in the rather high rental fee.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2017

About the host

Hosted by Kildare Borrowes

Host profile image
I am Kildare Borrowes, cousin of the owner Eva Morris, and I look after all Pekes bookings for her.
I am a writer and gardener, and particularly interested in the history of Sussex and its landscapes, its painters and its gardens. Like for most people I find there are few greater pleasures in life than walking along the nearby South Downs with the sea cliffs and the fresh breeze on the one side and the ancient sheep pastures on the other.

Why they chose this property

There is a huge sense of history at Pekes, an ancient Wealden hall house built in the 1470s with quite a few of its old features left in place. Eva's grandfather bought it in 1908, and little has changed since his day except facilities, comfort and warmth has been added. The Oast House was built of rosy Sussex brick in the 1840s to dry the hops grown on the farm and was turned into a comfortable house for his mother over 100 years ago, so is a true family home. Pekes has elegant gardens, parkland, lovely trees and wonderful views over the landscape.

What makes this property unique

Pekes is on the edge of the stunning South Downs National park, with its wonderful hills and cliffs, beaches, river valleys and many other attractions, and within the fascinating & little changed Wealden medieval landscape. Nearby are the famous Drusilla's children's zoo and Knockhatch adventure Park; also woods, coast towns and villages and great country houses. Also the world-famous Glyndebourne Opera, and the Bloomsbury Group's Charleston farmhouse.

Languages:

English, French
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