The Sanctuary

The Sanctuary is a Grade II* listed house located on the east side of High Street in Cuckfield. It dates back to the early 16th century and features a timber-framed hall and cross wing, which were altered in the 19th century. The ground floor is now stuccoed and built out, while the first floor is mainly hung with curved tiles, interspersed with lozenge patterns in plain tiles. The house has a slate roof and a gabled crossing to the north, which showcases an elaborate early 16th-century fretted wooden bargeboard, a rare survival.

The building is two storeys high and has three windows, with 19th-century casements on the first floor and two multiple casement windows on the ground floor. There is a simple doorcase to the north and a modern garage entry to the south.

Inside, the house features a four-bay 16th-century Queen post roof with side purlins, arched wind braces, and jowled posts. One room on the first floor has remnants of black painted lettering, which is a quotation from Psalm 139, dating to the second half of the 16th century. Another room contains 17th-century panelling. A ground floor room boasts a fine early 16th-century heavy roll moulded ceiling, along with chamfered beams that have run-out stops, a bressummer over the fireplace, a 17th-century seven-panelled door, and dado panelling. There are also marks from rush lights.