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Hummingbird House | Luxury Self-Catering | Lewes, East Sussex

Hummingbird House

Lewes, East Sussex, UK

Once home to a famous Edwardian music hall starlet, this Grade-II listed manor near Lewes steals the show with undeniable grace. Flaunting a warm, rich and homely interiorscape, Hummingbird House's starring turn as one of the most exquisite luxury self-catering homes in East Sussex is worthy of an encore. Gather up your loved ones and get ready for something special, it's about to begin. 

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Introduction

Stepping through huge gates and into the grounds of this extraordinary East Sussex Wealden farmhouse will evoke shivers of anticipation. The 17th century carved wooden porch leads through into luxurious living spaces, where carefully placed furnishings sit in harmony with the heavy wooden beams and hand-carved oak throughout. A veritable time-capsule, Hummingbird House is named in homage to star Lily Elsie who lived in the house and once played a character of the same name. Whether sauntering through the grounds, sinking in the hot tub or stoking the medieval fire; revel in the innate glamour and bask in your very own adventure.

Inside

Pairing family heirlooms with modern comforts, the carefully chosen interiors reflect the bountiful natural beauty surrounding Hummingbird House and create colourful, comfortable spaces for all. While grandma curls up with a book and grandpa prods the fire, let the youngsters delight in the ultimate game of hide and seek. Come supper time, the olde-worlde kitchen, which centres around the warmth of an Aga, is perfect for family self-catering feasts. Unite the family over conversation and cuisine before branching off and making tracks to the property's four bedrooms, each havens of grown-up sophistication.

Outside

This exquisite Sussex country home is steeped in nature and enjoys two acres of private gardens. Throughout the day, grown-ups will relish hours sat out on the private terraces enjoying some long-awaited relaxation, whilst little ones will have the time of their lives playing make-believe in the treehouse. Complete with an irresistibly bubbly hot tub, Hummingbird House will be hard to leave. But, if you can drag yourself away, Lewes’ medieval streets, old English churches and tiny twittens (a Sussex word for alleyways) are enchanting to explore, as are the surrounding medieval villages, rolling countryside and coastline.

The Facts

  • SleepsUp to 7 guests from £1,950 per week
  • Alternative group optionUp to 4 guests
  • Bedrooms and bathroomsOn the first floor is a double bedroom with super king-size bed and en suite steam and shower room, a double bedroom with king-size bed, and a zip-and-link bedroom (in which the bed can be set up as either a super king-size or a twin) with an en suite shower room. The single bedroom is on the second floor. The family bathroom with roll-top bath and handheld shower attachment is also on the first floor.
    View bedrooms
  • HousekeepingAdditional housekeeping is available on prior request at an additional cost
  • FeaturesA hot tub in the garden, steam room shower, table tennis table
  • PetsSorry, no pets
  • Arrivals and departuresArrival Time: 4pmDeparture Time: 10am
  • FamilyBabes-in-arms and children are very welcome. One cot and one highchair are available.
  • PracticalitiesThere is parking for up to three cars. This well-equipped luxury home has a four-oven Aga (switched off through July, August and September), a ceramic hob, dishwasher, microwave and an American-style fridge-freezer. The washing machine and tumble dryer are in the utility room. Please note that the WiFi internet can be slow due to the rural location.
  • Homestay includesLuxury welcome hamper with a homemade cake, Smart TVs, DVD player and Blu-ray player, Sonos multi-room sound system, iPad, Nespresso machine, children´s toys and books, charcoal barbecue, fire bowl, linen, towels, logs and kindling to get you startedHouse book - your property and destination guideDiscover more
  • Private cateringSeeking a celebratory dinner or fully catered escape? Our recommended caterers will work with you to create personalised menus for your stay. Details are shared through our house book on confirming your booking.
  • RetreatsFrom foraging weekenders to crash courses in cold-water therapy, our bespoke retreats bridge the gap between luxury and back-to-nature philosophies. Create a hand-crafted stay that puts connectivity at the fore.
  • RestrictionsParties considered on prior permission from the owner
  • Other informationProperty terms and conditionsFrequently asked questionsEV charger locationsCheck mobile signalRecommend to a friend

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Relax in front of the crackling fire
The history of this unique self-catering home is woven all throughout
Stunning interiors make for a relaxing stay in Lewes

Prices & Availability

Please note, availability for this property is to be confirmed by Unique Homestays on receipt of your enquiry

Lewes

In the heart of the rolling South Downs is Lewes, a pretty country town enjoying a verdant setting and close proximity to several seaside resorts. Pack your walkers, history head, and best bucket and spade.

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Lewes
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Getting there

  • On the Map Hummingbird House in East Sussex sits in a beautiful rural location near Lewes close to Uckfield, Rye, Winchelsea, Dover, London and Hastings. Tunbridge Wells, Brighton and Eastbourne are all within a half hour drive.
  • By Car The property is just 31 miles from Rye, and approximately two hours from London.
  • By Train Nearest stations are Uckfield or Buxted (East Grinstead line) into London Bridge, or for more frequent services either Lewes or Haywards Heath - both of which connect to Gatwick Airport and go to London Bridge or London Victoria.
  • By Air All London airports are within easy reach.

From the owner

“We fell in love with the property on first sight - driving through the gates, as rabbits hopped for cover, we spied dripping wisteria and dappled sunlight and knew it had to be ours. It has been a tranquil haven from work when we commuted to London, and a gathering place for family and friends ever since.”

From the owner

Having stood for more than 300 years, this Grade-II listed house is rich in history and we are slowly piecing together its enchanting story. A relative, who is a master carpenter, has identified markings on the main beams in the master bedroom which show they were originally part of a ship! The Inglenook fireplace is likely to be the oldest part of the building, possibly medieval.

Recent additions to the interior were inspired by nature and the abundance of wildlife that surrounds the house. We wanted to introduce bright accents to provide a colourful atmosphere and chose furniture to enhance the rustic look and feel. The Iznik tiles behind the Aga provide the colour palette to our quirky country kitchen.

The garden is an ever-expanding project; when we bought the property seven years ago the wooded area was given over mainly to nettles and sycamore saplings. We have planted a number of young native trees and most new planting is made with wildlife in mind. The pond was transformed from a soakaway to a thriving ecosystem and all around, flora and fauna flourishes.

The Tracey Family

Owner recommendations

Live like a local, discovering the best hidden gem restaurants, walks and attractions during your holiday in Lewes with an insider’s perspective.

Glyndebourne

To Do

Glyndebourne

Established in 1934 by John Christie and opera singer Audrey Mildmay, Glyndebourne is a world-renowned opera house. Between May and August, it hosts an opera festival filled with open-air opera, black tie costume and high tea picnics.

Pooh Bear Woods

To See

Pooh Bear Woods

Nearby Ashdown Woods is an AONB and its heathland is classified as rare habitat. It is great for walks, abundant with deer (once hunted by Henry VIII) and home to Winnie the Pooh - you can even visit the original ´Pooh Sticks´ bridge.

Lewes

To Do

Lewes

Surrounded by chalk cliffs, the townscape of Lewes is dominated by the remains of a Norman castle and is also home to numerous art galleries and historic sites, including the townhouse of Anne of Cleves (fourth wife of King Henry Vlll).

The Curlew Restaurant, Bodiam

To Eat

The Curlew Restaurant, Bodiam

Serving modern British cuisine and known for its fresh local ingredients, the Curlew Restaurant boasts an unrivalled experience. We love the pleasant courtyard garden in summer and cosy fire in winter.

Guest Testimonials

What a wonderful, warm and welcoming home! Both the house and garden have been carefully and tastefully developed to provide a beautiful harmonious haven. Just about everything that could make us feel at home and taken care of was provided. The owner´s attention to detail shows a generosity of spirit which was much appreciated. We hope there’ll be another opportunity to enjoy this remarkable space in the future.

We have been repeatedly pleased and amazed by what we discovered during our delightful stay at your home. We travelled from the USA, to see our new Grandson for the first time since his birth and to snuggle his almost 3-year-old big sister. We wanted a special quiet spot to spend a week with them and our daughter. What a wonderful welcoming home you offer, there are so many features and pleasantries they become almost too numerous to mention. A truly delightful and unexpected pleasure, bravo!

Such a magical place for a cosy 60th birthday week, hunkered down with my family. A perfect mix of mooching and games by the log burner, meals and lively chat in the toasty kitchen, and long walks in the beautiful Sussex countryside. We loved all the features and quirks of the house, the wildlife in the garden and just how much it felt like home.

What a wonderful part of the country it is here. We have had a fantastic week exploring the area, going on many walks and visiting the nearby towns and villages which are gorgeous. We have barely touched the surface though, so we will be back. This enchanting cottage has made the stay even more memorable. Thank you to the owners, for being brilliant custodians of this important property. And thank you for sharing it, allowing others to experience the beauty and tranquillity of the estate.

The quirks of the house were endearing. The cosiness was a feature in itself - exactly what I wanted. The garden was amazing, with several discoveries when we got there. The internal photos don´t do justice to the facilities in the snug! The book of Sussex walks was really useful.

Hummingbird House has been by far one of the best rental properties we have stayed at over the years. It has totally exceeded all expectations and had everything one may need to feel at home. The property was tastefully decorated with exceptional attention to detail and the facilities made us feel very welcome. I wouldn’t change a thing about it. It is totally unique and you can tell the owners and the housekeeper really take pride in looking after their home, and its guests!

Hummingbird House is the quintessential country home. It is the perfect location near both Uckfield, Lewes, many places of interest and local pubs. We had a lovely time during our three week stay with family and friends. The beds were very comfortable with superb linens and towels and the kitchen was fully equipped. We would love to return in the winter so that we could light the fires and snuggle up!

We had a wonderful, relaxing week for the half-term holidays. We locked ourselves in for most of it due to feeling so happy in the beautiful house and gardens. Lazy hours in the Jacuzzi will be much missed on returning to work! Such attention to detail with the interior design, a very well appointed home. Thank you for the fabulous memories.

We thought the property was stunning. Exactly as the photographs suggest, and super super comfortable. There was nothing that we could have done with which wasn´t provided. Really lovely. If we could pick it up and move it somewhere else for next year´s weekend away then we would.

We have had a wonderful week at this stunning estate. Especially our children who enjoyed the extensive garden and the tree house. Most of the time we gathered in the tastefully furnished kitchen. We will be back.

We have had an absolutely wonderful week, a perfect get a way for our family! We have especially enjoyed the discovery of the delightful garden with the most welcome fruit trees, pears, cherry plums and figs. The house is equipped with lovely touches, making us feel at home. Thank you.

We have had a lovely week here. Wonderful weather the first weekend.The house is really well equipped and well stocked. The garden was a delight to discover, especially the tree house and the large fish pond. Thank you for a lovely stay.

What an amazing house with all its little features. I have had a perfect hen weekend full of luxury and elegance, given to us in the form of Eades place. Particular highlights, include the hot tub and the discovery of the tree house. Lots of laughter has filled these beautiful rooms and much appreciation for the well equipped kitchen. The hamper is something I will cherish along with many photos from this weekend. Thank you.

Excellent facilities, including hot tub, table tennis and a tree house. Beautifully stylishly furnished - a real Unique Homestay! Personalised non-intrusive attention from the owner helped to ensure a successful family weekend

Hummingbird House exceeded our expectations in every way. Exploring every nook and cranny on arrival and opening the delicious hamper of goodies is always one of the highlights of staying in a Unique Homestays property. Hummingbird House did not disappoint. The soft furnishings are divine, fires and the aga kept every room in the house toasty warm on very cold days, the separate living and media rooms allowed for plenty of space, and the garden, despite being winter, was an absolute delight to explore. Many thanks again Unique Homestays for a fabulous stay!

Thank you for letting us stay at your humble home to celebrate our Mother´s landmark birthday (50+10) What an escape from reality! Your attention to detail is immaculate and we have been thoroughly spoiled. The memories from this weekend will last forever. Thank you once again and we will be back!

Three generations of our family have enjoyed a wonderful week in the seclusion and tranquility of your lovely house and garden. We visited many places and attractions nearby but we always enjoyed the adventure of returning to this magical place.

We have had the most wonderful of weekends at this lovely house. Seeing the house clad in wisteria as the gates swung open, the giant clipped topiary and the prettiest of fishponds, we knew we were in for a special stay. We adored the house, the interiors and the special ambience that exists here. It was so lovely to see the owner and thank her for the hamper, cake and fresh produce. We had wonderful food at The Griffin Inn and enjoyed our visits to Great Dixter Gardens, Charleston Farmhouse and Sheffield Park Gardens.

Thank you so much for allowing us to stay in your beautiful home. You have thought of everything! We loved all of the little touches and wonderful interiors and the children had hours of fun in the garden, as we all did toasting marshmallows on the fire! The weather was glorious too so we really didn´t venture far - there was too much to experience right here! We are so sad to leave but have made some wonderful memories at Hummingbird House. Thank you!

Well what can we say? Simply WOW! This is one of the most wonderful houses we´ve stayed in - full of character, warmth, homely style and personality. Fabulously appointed and has everything you could wish for. A perfect place to create special memories with friends or family. We definitely didn´t want to leave, surrounded by nature, this is truly a ´unique´ stay that would be hard to beat. Tip: Don´t skip the hot tub, in moonlight it was truly brilliant! Thank you and we´ll see you again!

What a fantastic week we have had here at Hummingbird House, a truly beautiful, comfortable and welcoming home. Stunning decor and a fabulous garden. We celebrated my birthday in grand style with family and friends who were also able to enjoy being here and we had so much fun! The hot tub was well used as was the hammock, we had lunch at Bills in Hewes, but really just wanted to be here, and really didn´t want to leave! Thank you so much and we hope to return one day!

We would like to thank you for sharing your magical home for our perfect getaway. Home-from-home but with far better facilities! It has all been very luxurious and we have thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Each time we thought "ah that would be nice to have" we found it tucked away somewhere for us to find! Exceptionally well thought out from marshmallow trident to the tree house with plugs! Awesome! We will miss this home for sure and are already thinking about our next booking and who else we can share this perfect paradise with.

Our stay at Hummingbird House was fantastic! From the moment we entered through the garden gates and saw the house, we fell in love. The kitchen is so snug and cosy with the Aga, and we adored the media room with the big sofa and incredible TV. Our favourite room was the master bedroom with its amazing vaulted ceiling and its huge marshmallowy bed and not forgetting the quirky downstairs cloakroom with the train ticket wallpaper! The hot tub and huge gardens were amazing.

Unique extras

From private chefs to luxury at-home spa therapists and adrenalin-fuelled retreats, once you’ve booked your stay we’ll introduce you to our owner-recommended suppliers to create a truly bespoke, memorable escape.

Press

Below are a selection of features in which Hummingbird House and Unique Homestays has appeared. If you would like to feature the property in an editorial capacity, please contact the marketing team on +44 (0)1637 882014.

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Disclaimer: These particulars, whilst believed to be accurate, are set as a guideline so should not be relied upon as a statement of fact. The photographs show aspects of the property at the time they were taken and it should not be assumed that the property remains precisely as displayed. If there are points of particular importance that need clarifying before you book, please contact us.

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