Discovering 'the good life' at Hazelhurst Farm

Rescue animals have found a warm welcome at Hazelhurst Farm in the West Sussex countryside. Anya and Andrew Watson have lived in the former farmhouse for 13 years. They’ve since replaced the roof, installed land drainage, and created an ideal home for both family and four-legged friends. 

“There’s just something unique about coming home to this house,” says Anya. “It’s as if it hugs you and heals you. It’s a strange feeling but it really does make you feel better. There’s a distinct sense of wellbeing here.”

The Watson family and their home have certainly made their rescue guests welcome. Animals now at home at Hazelhurst Farm include two black pigs, two tortoises, goats, sheep, cats, pugs, and a pair of lion-eared rabbits who dug an escape tunnel from their hutch. They roam the gardens by day and put themselves to bed back in the hutch at night. Even the koi carp and the sturgeon are rescues. 

“In lockdown so many people wanted what they saw as the ‘good life’ and then could no longer look after their animals for whatever reason, so we collected them. We also have rare-breed sheep and I had to feed the lambs every four hours from when they were just one day old. They’re real characters now, especially Lord Loxley, the head sheep who thinks he’s the boss. I’ve taught myself to shear and now help others nearby who just have one or two sheep. It’s been so amazing for our boys growing up and for my two-year-old granddaughter who lives in the cottage here.”

Anya, who also does ultramarathons when she’s not caring for the mini-farm, has set up a Facebook page, The Innocent Garden. Here she charts the exploits of the animals and news from the menagerie. The family are now selling Hazelhurst Farm through Henry Adams estate agency, in order to move to Somerset with more land - for more animal rescues. 

The farmhouse itself has evolved over the centuries to provide a substantial 5 bedroom farmhouse with everything from an Aga and an inglenook fireplace to a superb orangery. A working well can be seen through the circular viewing window set into the dining room floor. A 2 bedroom cottage, complete with ensuite to the main bedroom, is just one of the exceptional outbuildings at Hazelhurst.  

The Watsons have also created an air-conditioned home office and a neon games room currently set up for VR. More recently they’ve installed a barbecue hut with a central firepit. The pool house features a cathedral roof of exposed beams, a jacuzzi, bar, and multi-folding doors which open all along one side. 

The gardens have been planted to be bee and wildlife friendly, there are two ponds and a fenced children’s play area. There’s also a kitchen garden connected to an irrigation system for minimal maintenance in summer. 

Hazelhurst Farm is located between the historic town of Petworth and the pretty village of Wisborough Green. Both are within easy reach from the nearby A272 which leads west to Midhurst and Petersfield through the South Downs National Park, and east to Billingshurst and Haywards Heath. Trains from Billingshurst go direct to London Victoria in around an hour and a quarter. Polo players competing at Cowdray, Midhurst, have been known to rent the self-contained cottage for entire seasons. 

Christina Bearryman, manager at Henry Adams Billingshurst, commented, “Hazelhurst Farm is a wonderful country home, filled with immense character and history. It has a unique sense of old-school charm and contemporary vitality, with so much to offer its new owners.”

More information and viewing arrangements are available from Henry Adams who can be reached at 01403 782991 or billingshurst@henryadams.co.uk.