Tickerage Mill
tickerage lane, blackboys, uckfield, east sussex. near framfield, england.
A HOME OF HER OWN:
The loss of Notley had been a
difficult adjustment for Vivien. Therefore, Vivien sought out her own
country home. Tickerage Mill, a Queen Anne house, is situated about 45
miles from London. It's located at the end of a private lane and on a
mill pond. The villages of Blackboys and Framfield are located nearby.
Vivien wasted no time buying it. Within a few weeks her pictures were
hung on the walls; and though the house was being completely renovated
and was in a state of chaos, her friends navigated the extremely narrow
unpaved stony private road to its front door to visit her. She was
home--for Tickerage, not Eaton Square, represent 'home' to her. After
her death, her ashes were scattered over the pond by her mother, her
daughter, and Jack Merivale.
Vivien's friend, Radie Harris,
writes "It was hidden in the valley of the River Uck, with ninety acres
of woodlands, meadows, and gardens. It was much smaller than Notley
Abbey, but Vivien fell in love with it at first sight . . . Her stamp
was everywhere- in her utterly feminine blue bedroom and dressing room;
her library of well-stacked and well-thumbed books; her beautifully
appointed drawing room with her silver framed photographs of friends
from all over the world; her collection of snuff boxes and
Staffordshire and Spode china. It was in her garden that she found her
happiest moments and relaxation from many tensions. No matter how late
she went to bed, she was up at 6 o'clock in the morning planting or
replanting shrubs, flowers, and plants."
PROPERTY INFORMATION:
Country estate with a house,
cottage, mill, and sussex barn. Large mill pond and stream set on 97
acres in Blackboys, Uckfield TN22. Main house has a entrance hall,
drawing room, sitting room, dining room, study/flower room, kitchen,
utility room, cloakroom, wine cellar, master bedroom with en suite
bathroom and roof terrace, 4 further bedrooms, family bathroom, double
garage, and greenhouse. The cottage features an entrance hall with
built in stoarge cupboards which also house the washer/dryer and
freezer. Double aspect spacious living room with wood burning fire with
birch surround. Two black leather sofas, dining table and four chairs
and views of garden and countryside. Fully fitted kitchen with dual
aspect views across the garden with a range of cream fronted units and
beech worktop. Stairs leading up to master bedroom with exposed beams a
large double bed, chest of drawers and a fitted wardrobe. The cottage
has a large garden and a stream.
TICKERAGE MILL TODAY:
The Mill has changed owners several times since Vivien Leigh lived there. In September 2005, the new owners, with the help of Parker Building Services and Stephen Langer Associates, began to reburish Tickerage. Work involved complete refurbishment of the whole property interally and externally. The work was completed in August 2006, and Tickerage shines again! If you're interested in hiring the skilled men at Parker, then please visit their website at www.parkerandsonbuildingservices.com! There is a walking path in Uckfield that runs next to the Mill. The walk is called 'Blackboys Walk' and is 7km in length. You can view the brochure with detailed instructions by clicking here.
PHOTOS:
photo credits: parker building services, maria, marguerite, and the webmaster's personal collection
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