Flimwell, Wadhurst, East Sussex, TN5

Beautiful unlisted Regency period country house set in over 16 acres of parkland with views towards Bewl Water and within Cranbrook School Catchment.

Description

Flimwell Grange is a grand Regency period country house with later Victorian and Edwardian additions set within an AONB within the High Weald of Kent on the Kent and Sussex border.

The property has been built in an elevated position overlooking its 16 acres of parkland and enjoys glorious south-westerly views. There is a (40ft x 16ft) heated outdoor swimming pool and all-weather tennis court. Within the grounds there is a workshop/hangar measuring some 60ft x 40ft and also a detached barn/agricultural store both with potential for additional dwelling use subject to the usual necessary planning consents. There is also a former vineyard.

This elegant family home with over 8,300 sq ft of internal accommodation is very well laid out and is arranged principally over two floors with a third floor having three good sized loft rooms. There is also a cellar. The reception rooms, morning room and four of the bedrooms are all south-west facing with large sash windows looking out across the parkland and well-timbered grounds to the countryside beyond.

Period features include high ceilings throughout the house, decorative ceiling arches, sash windows, deep skirting boards, picture rails and heavy wooden panelled doors. Of further interest are the attractive fireplaces which feature prominently throughout the house.

The well proportioned light and bright reception rooms all provide excellent areas for entertaining and these main rooms comprise an impressive part-panelled drawing room, an adjoining reception/sitting room (with staircase to the spacious first floor landing with leaded light oriel window with window seat), an impressive formal dining room with parquet flooring, ornate plaster ceiling oval with decorative gilt scrolls, a large marble fireplace with marble slips, inset decorative tiles with musical motifs and tiled hearth.

The 34ft kitchen/breakfast room is a wonderful family area. There is a bespoke shaker-style fitted kitchen with two oven oil fired Aga with electric two oven companion. There is a central island with granite top and sink and also a further double butler sink together with various integral appliances. A focal point in the room is a wood burner. From the kitchen there is a secondary enclosed staircase which leads to the first and second floors of the house and was historically used by staff. An interesting feature in the kitchen is a working butler’s call box. There is a downstairs cloakroom with attractive wall to wall marble topped fitted unit with under-cupboards and sink.

On the substantial first floor there are six double bedrooms and four bathrooms (two en suite) and a separate WC. The principal bedroom is a stunning room with two large sash windows, fitted wardrobes, fireplace with attractive tiled slips and over-mantle. There is a doorway leading out to a good sized balcony with fretwork balloon shaped balustrades which overlooks the gardens and adjoining fields. The en suite bathroom has a jacuzzi bath, free-standing shower, separate sauna cabin and under floor heating.

The easterly wing of the house incorporates a flexible self-contained annexe with ground floor sitting room, kitchen and bathroom with staircase up to two bedrooms.

Flimwell Grange is a gated property and is accessed through electric wrought iron gates, which are approached via a part shared drive with a further private drive to the north of the house. There is a sweeping gravel drive, flanked by trees and culminating in a substantial parking area to the front of the house. There is also parking with hard-standing at the side of the property and two double garages. From the front aspect of the house there are wonderful far reaching views over the expansive gardens and undulating countryside beyond. The house provides a lovely setting and is privately screened on all sides. The gardens feature an abundance of varying types of mature trees including oak, sweet chestnut, monkey puzzle and Scots pine and together with seasonal shrubs which give colour and interest throughout the seasons. An unusual feature is an original brandy vat which is now used as a pool house/storage area. Heated outdoor swimming pool measuring some 40ft x 16ft with semi-circular feature on one side with steps into the pool. All weather tennis court. The house also benefits from magnificent sunsets due to its orientation.

Outbuildings include a substantial 60ft x 40ft hangar with roller door and a vehicle inspection pit. This building lends itself to various uses and was, until very recently, used for the storage of classic cars. There is a detached unconverted barn which overlooks the former vineyard, together with the park-like gardens totaling over 16 acres.

Location

Flimwell Grange is very well situated within the parish of Goudhurst and Kilndown close to Bewl Water Reservoir which offers a wide range of activities including sailing, rowing, fishing and wonderful walks. Bedgebury Pinetum is close by which also has excellent local walks, cycling paths, horse riding and, at certain times of the year, occasional open-air concerts and seasonal events such as Christmas lights in the forest. The property is approximately 3.8 miles to the west of the popular village of Hawkhurst which offers local shopping and amenities including a Kino digital cinema, Waitrose, Tesco supermarkets and a variety of independent shops and restaurants. There are also a number of wonderful country pubs within a short driving distance of the house.

There are good train connections from Etchingham (5.3 miles), Wadhurst (6.3 miles) which have frequent services to London via London Bridge and Waterloo East. Tonbridge mainline station has services to both London, the south and east coasts including Hastings, Canterbury and Ashford.

There is an excellent choice of schools in the area both primary, secondary, state and private. The property is near Goudhurst and Kilndown Church of England primary school and is within the catchment area for Cranbrook school. Grammar schools in Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Maidstone including Tonbridge Girls Grammar School (TGGS), the Weald, Maidstone Grammar School and the The Judd school. There are also a number of local pre-prep and prep schools being Marlborough House, Vinehall School and Saint Ronans. Private secondary schools include Tonbridge School, Sevenoaks School, Benenden and Bethany school.


All distances and travel times are approximate.

Square Footage: 8,369 sq ft


Acreage: 16 Acres

Directions

From Savills office in Cranbrook take the A229 to Hawkhurst. In the centre of Hawkhurst turn right on to the A268. Travel for approximately 2 miles and at the traffic lights turn right on to the A21. Bear left after about 0.6 of a mile and follow the road for 0.1 of a mile and the shared drive will be found on the left hand side.

Additional Info

Services: Oil fired central heating. Mains water and electricity. Private drainage.

Photos taken June 2023