Raymond Briggs's 'The Snowman' Home Listed for Sale
The eccentric East Sussex property where author Raymond Briggs created his beloved "The Snowman" is on the market for £775,000.
The detached house in Westmeston, East Sussex, where Raymond Briggs lived and worked for nearly 50 years, has been listed for sale at £775,000. Briggs, the creator of the iconic "The Snowman," died in 2022 at the age of 88.
The property, named Weston, is situated beneath the South Downs, countryside that served as the backdrop for Briggs's famous 1978 picture book.
The three-bedroom house requires significant modernization for its kitchen, two reception rooms, garden room store, and garage. However, one of its unique features is a hidden bedroom accessed through a secret bookcase door. Estate agents Chatt Estates described the entrance as a "mysterious secret door."
Another notable element is a sculptural fireplace that divides the two large reception rooms on the ground floor. Upstairs, a spacious reception area provides access to the bedrooms. One bedroom features a high vaulted ceiling, while another is concealed behind the bookcase.
The ground floor kitchen is equipped with basic units and a stainless-steel sink. The bathroom includes a panelled bath, toilet, and pedestal sink. The house is heated by electricity.
Weston is set on approximately 0.4 acres of private grounds, featuring a winding path to a timber garden room with its own log burner. The rural setting is credited with inspiring Briggs's work.
"The Snowman," published in 1978, is a wordless picture book that tells the story of a boy whose snowman comes to life. Briggs stated that the landscape featured in the book's famous flight scene was inspired by the South Downs near his home.
Handwritten notes by Briggs discovered in an annotated Finnish edition of the book, revealed details about the story's creation. This rare copy was found during the clearance of Weston after his death.
"The Snowman" has sold over 5.5 million copies and was adapted into a popular animated film in 1982, which became a staple of British Christmas television. The film received an Academy Award nomination and won a BAFTA. The song "Walking in the Air" from the film was first performed by Peter Auty and later famously covered by Aled Jones.
Briggs's other notable works include "Father Christmas," published in 1973, and "Fungus the Bogeyman," released in 1977.
Weston is located near the historic village of Ditchling, with Hassocks railway station providing services to London.