Calverley Park, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1

An iconic Grade II* listed Regency villa designed by the renowned Decimus Burton, in this prestigious Tunbridge Wells private park

Description

Constructed in the early 19th century and designed by the re-knowned architect Decimus Burton, whose career spanned the Georgian, Regency and Victorian period with work including Regents Park and many of London’s other iconic buildings, Calverley Park was the first residential park in Tunbridge Wells. He developed the concept 'rus in urbe' - bringing the beauty and values of the countryside into the town and his vision has remained true in Calverley Park, thanks to conservation controls, with other parks in Tunbridge Wells continuing the theme.

The Park is considered to be one of the most prestigious addresses in Tunbridge Wells, comprising a number of sizable villas arranged in an arc overlooking private 'pleasure grounds', giving the illusion of sole enjoyment of acres of parkland, right in the centre of town. The majority of the 'pleasure grounds' were purchased by the Local Authority in 1920 and now boast formal gardens, tennis courts, croquet and bowling greens, a basketball court and cafe. However, the road and park grounds immediately in front of the villas are still privately owned and controlled by a trust held by the Park residents.

20 Calverley Park is an iconic Grade II* listed Regency villa, boasting wonderful proportions and features typical of a property from this era, including high ceilings, deep skirtings, picture rails, dado rails, ceiling roses, sash windows, and attractive fireplaces throughout.

The spacious accommodation is arranged over four floors, with the generous entrance hall leading to the impressive dining room with large multi-panel sash windows, and a handsome drawing room with separate snug and French doors to the rear terrace and gardens beyond. There are also two studies on this floor, with a useful servery and wc, making an ideal home office.

The kitchen/breakfast room on the lower ground floor is traditionally designed, with bespoke units and quartz worksurfaces, a large island unit, and a range of integrated appliances including a three-oven AGA with an additional gas oven. There is ample space for a large family dining table, and a further useful office area extending from the kitchen. The adjacent sitting room, currently utilised as a cinema room, offers a fantastic area for informal entertainment and includes a bar area for refreshments, and access to the wine cellar via the Gym.

An elegant mahogany-railed spindle staircase rises from the entrance hall to the first floor, which is home to the impressive principal bedroom suite, with multi-pane sash windows overlooking the mature gardens, and twin en suites with dressing rooms. There are five further spacious bedrooms spanning across the first and second floor, three of which are en suite. A family bathroom completes the second-floor accommodation.

The rear landscaped garden comprises a wide sheltered terrace incorporating a mature wisteria, with steps down to a further terrace and gardens beyond. The garden is mainly laid to lawn with a pond and water feature taking centre stage, and mature trees and hedging forming the boundary, providing a good level of privacy.

The driveway approach is shared with the neighbouring property, leading onto a private resin driveway with a detached double garage offering ample parking, and a rear electric gate giving direct access to Prospect Road. Steps also lead from the driveway to the gym on the lower ground floor.

Location

Calverley Park is a private no-through road providing a 'country-like' atmosphere, running between Crescent Road and Grove Hill Road.

The station, with services to London Cannon Street and Charing Cross (via London Bridge and Waterloo East), is approximately 0.4 miles on foot via The Calverley Grounds, where there are tennis and basketball courts, a children’s play area, café, beautiful gardens and an ice skating rink at Christmas.

Hoopers department store is opposite the station, whilst the High Street and the historic Pantiles are further down with interesting restaurants, cafes, pubs, and boutiques. The Common, much loved by dog walkers and families, is on the other side of London Road and there is a Bridge club, (housing the Chess club) on London Road.

The Hotel du Vin, Assembly Halls theatre, Trinity Theatre and Arts Cinema, and The Royal Victoria Place are on the northern side of town. Further out, there is golf at the Nevill, cricket and tennis at Warwick Park and out-of-town shopping at the North Farm Industrial Estate, with a Multiplex Odeon Cinema and bowling.

The town is surrounded by an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with attractions including water sports at Bewl Water, cycling trails at Bedgebury and the Ashdown Forest.

The area is well-served by schools, with several local primaries, the boys' and girls' Grammars and Judd, a co-educational Grammar at Tonbridge. Preparatories include The Mead, Rosehill, Beechwood, and Holmewood House. At senior level, there is Tonbridge for boys, Mayfield for girls, and co-ed options at Sevenoaks, Eastbourne and Brighton.

Communications: The A21, accessed just north of Tunbridge Wells, links to the M25 London orbital motorway and thereby the national motorway network, Gatwick and Heathrow Airports.

Square Footage: 6,195 sq ft



Directions

From our office in the High Street, proceed up the hill, turning right at the end to join Vale Road. At the roundabout take the first exit onto Mount Pleasant Road, passing the station on your left. At the crossroads at the top of the hill turn right onto Crescent Road. Having passed the Hotel du Vin on your right turn right under the arch to Calverley Park. Bear right through the pillared entrance to the private Park and No. 20 will be found towards the end of the crescent on the left-hand side.

Additional Info

Services: Mains Gas, Electricity, Water and Drainage.

Outgoings: Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. Council Tax Band H.

Agent note: This property is Grade II* listed. 20 Calverley Park is in the Tunbridge Wells Conservation Area. There are Tree Preservation Orders present at this property.

There is a service charge payable for the upkeep of Calverley Park (joint owned by Calverley Park Association).

The driveway is initially shared with the neighbour, leading onto a private driveway.