Leasam House is on the market, for sale by Savills estate agents at the guide price of £9.5 million. Described as ‘a fine mansion’ by British Listed Buildings, this Grade II listed property comprises some 57 acres of gardens, parkland and woodland. It is featured extensively in the January 15 2020 edition of Country Life.
With commanding views over the Tillingham Valley, the house and estate have been much upgraded and improved in recent years.
It has passed through several hands since it was run by East Sussex County Council as accommodation for boy pupils at the Rye Grammar School and later the secondary modern until 1992, when it was sold into private hands.
The house has an interesting history. It was built on the site of a 13th century manor house in around 1790 by Jeremiah Curteis, a wealthy lawyer and town clerk of Rye from 1756-1800. Curteis had an interest in many properties including Peasmarsh Place. Various improvements to the house and gardens were carried out in the early 20th century by Sir Reginald Blomfield, the internationally renowned architect who lived at Point Hill, Rye. He had been commissioned by the then owners Sir George and Lady Maud Warrender. Lady Maud was credited with a fine contralto voice and she performed before King Edward VII as well as in local concerts.
According to Penny Churchill writing in Country Life, its subsequent owners have included several members of Parliament. Its latest owner was Mr Matt Le Breton, who is famed locally for some spectacular fireworks displays and for hiring the Red Arrows on one occasion to celebrate a family party.
Image Credits: Kenneth Bird .