Property description
From the moment you turn into the sweeping driveway you will be delighted with your first sight of this early 17th-century traditional Kentish manor house with its triple Huguenot gables – a legacy from the time the persecuted Protestants fled from France, with many of them settling in the area. Nestling in 0.453 acre of grounds off the Old Road in Sarre, this wonderful Grade II listed property was apparently even mentioned in the Domesday Book, with the snug and rear passageway purporting to date from the 11th century.
However, the main house was constructed around 1600 and, wherever you look, you will find it is full of attractive and historical features. These include high ceilings, exposed beams, a plethora of brick fireplaces, high skirting boards, beautiful wood doors and multipane sash windows.
Opening the attractive front door you are immediately greeted by an impressive but welcoming 33ft. reception hall that leads to the elegant Georgian-style drawing room on one side and a gorgeous dining room on the other – where you can sit at least a dozen people round the table. This whole area makes a wonderful space for entertaining – and you can even hold a children’s party just in the hall! The drawing room has a beautiful ceiling with sculpted cornices, a ceiling rose and marble fireplace as well as direct access to the garden. However the vast country-style kitchen/ breakfast has to be the real hub of the household in this warm and friendly family home. With its central island supported by two vast vertical beams, a large four-oven Aga, separate breakfast area, red floor tiles and a brick fireplace it is inevitable that this is the place where everyone will gravitate to for much of the time. Although the historical snug, with its secondary staircase to the first floor, is also a great place to relax in front of the TV. There is a utility room and a nearby office that is very useful if you work from home as it has a door direct to the outside that can be used if you don’t want business colleagues or visitors to go through the whole house.
There are two 19ft. storage rooms in the cellar and, upstairs, you will find five large double bedrooms. Off the main landing there is an impressive master bedroom with beams and a fireplace as well as plenty of wardrobe space and a vast adjoining Jack and Jill/en suite bathroom that can also be accessed from the landing.
What the Owner says:
I found this wonderful house about 20 years ago, when I was looking for the right home to bring up my three young boys. I had heard that both the state and private schools in the area were excellent and finding the right school was my major priority. However, the children have now grown up and mostly flown the nest and it is time to look for something a little smaller. One of the things I really love is the seclusion and privacy as well as the fact that the house is wonderful for entertaining – it looks fantastic ‘dressed overall’ at Christmas with a giant tree in the hall. At the same time, there is easy access to the Thanet Way for London – and the house is very central for Canterbury, Sandwich and the Thanet towns and close to the Blue Flag Minnis Bay if you fancy a day on the beach.
It is a very friendly village with the lovely Crown Inn pub within easy walking distance if you don’t want to drive. This hostelry is better known as the Cherry Brandy after its famous signature drink (a secret recipe introduced by the Huguenots all those centuries ago). There is also a village shop, a post office, two pubs and a top-class primary school in nearby St. Nicholas at Wade. For older children it is only a minute’s walk to catch the school bus to Canterbury, Sandwich and Ramsgate and, if you are looking for a bit of gentle exercise, there are wonderful places to go for bracing walks with the dogs, around the adjacent fields and along the river banks.
Room sizes:
- BASEMENT
- Cellar Area 1: 19'0 x 10'10 (5.80m x 3.30m)
- Cellar Area 2: 19'0 x 11'5 (5.80m x 3.48m)
- SPLIT LEVEL GROUND FLOOR
- Kitchen/Breakfast Area: 26'3 x 24'11 (8.01m x 7.60m)
- Dining Area: 15'9 x 15'1 (4.80m x 4.60m)
- Snug: 18'11 x 14'6 (5.77m x 4.42m)
- Study: 17'4 x 9'3 (5.29m x 2.82m)
- Lounge: 23'11 x 17'4 (7.29m x 5.29m)
- Split Level First Floor
- Landing
- Master Bedroom: 30'5 x 15'1 (9.28m x 4.60m)
- Bedroom 4: 15'9 x 15'1 (4.80m x 4.60m)
- En-suite
- Bedroom 5: 15'1 x 11'9 (4.60m x 3.58m)
- Bedroom 3: 17'4 x 12'2 (5.29m x 3.71m)
- Bedroom 2: 17'4 x 12'5 (5.29m x 3.79m)
- Bathroom
- SECOND FLOOR
- Attic: 33'2 x 13'1 (10.12m x 3.99m)
The information provided about this property does not constitute or form part of an offer or contract, nor may be it be regarded as representations. All interested parties must verify accuracy and your solicitor must verify tenure/lease information, fixtures & fittings and, where the property has been extended/converted, planning/building regulation consents. All dimensions are approximate and quoted for guidance only as are floor plans which are not to scale and their accuracy cannot be confirmed. Reference to appliances and/or services does not imply that they are necessarily in working order or fit for the purpose.
Property Features :
- 17th-century Grade 11 listed Kentish manor house
- Triple Huguenot gables – steeped in history
- Plenty of original features – high ceilings
- Set in 0.453 acres of garden – large in-out carriage driveway
- Excellent location – Canterbury 8 miles