The Historic Dockyard, Chatham, Kent, ME4

An elegant and imposing Grade I listed six bedroom Georgian town house situated within Historic Chatham Dockyard.

Description

Officers Terrace is situated within the Historic Dockyard of Chatham, the most complete dockyard of the Age of Sail and now a fascinating maritime museum with an array of ancient buildings, scheduled monuments and notably where Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson's flagship, HMS Victory was designed and built.

This handsome symmetrical row of twelve Georgian houses, which have been designated a Grade I listing, date from circa 1720 with later 18th century additions and each having its own separate Grade II listed garden, which were started in 1719, ahead of the houses. Officers Terrace was home to the officers of the Royal Naval Dockyard, with the larger of the houses being assigned to the principal officers; including the Master Shipwright, Clerk of the Cheque, Clerk of the Survey, Master Attendant and Storekeeper.

6 Officers Terrace is one of the more substantial houses with over 6,600 sq ft of internal accommodation and was, we understand, home to the Clerk of the Cheque. It enjoys an enclosed south easterly facing courtyard with covered terrace to one side and several store rooms. A narrow carriage road to rear, bisects the houses and gardens. Within the wall there is an original sentry box, a garage and a door with access to wide stairs leading up to the delightful parterre garden.

The house presents beautifully and is generously proportioned with the accommodation including three impressive reception rooms, six bedrooms, four attic rooms, a flexible storage room and wine cellar. The three fine reception rooms are arranged over the lower ground and ground floors and offer superb areas for entertaining. The sitting room, accessed via the stuccoed porch/vestibule, was the original formal entrance, it features wooden floors, a wood burning stove to one end and elegant curved double doors to the other.

A sweeping open well staircase rises up to the ground, first and second floors. On the ground floor the beautifully proportioned drawing room has four sash windows, two Portland stone fireplaces and a view over the communal gardens. The painted panelled dining room is adjacent, it also has a fireplace and enjoys a south easterly aspect and outlook to the private courtyard.

The stylish kitchen/breakfast room, situated within a later portion of the house, is equipped with a contemporary range of cupboards, central island complemented by Brazilian granite and various integral appliances. The utility room is fitted to match the kitchen and both these rooms benefit from under floor heating. An inner hall and WC completes this floor.

Over the first and second floors there are six beautiful bedrooms which are served by two shower rooms (one en suite) and a bathroom, all fitted with modern white sanitary ware. The principal bedrooms are of lovely proportions, with all the bedrooms having period fireplaces and the majority benefitting from built in cupboards. Bedroom two has a gas effect fire and is currently used a study/sitting room.

The hidden Grade II listed walled garden is a wonderful surprise, arranged in terraces it features box parterre and clever symmetrical planting with lavender, rosemary, pittosporum and an array of seasonal shrubs and specimen trees giving the garden structure and interest. There is also a period brick potting shed and greenhouse.

Location

Chatham, one of the Medway towns, has several shopping areas with a wide range of shops, various supermarkets and restaurants. Leisure facilities include several marinas and Chatham Snow Sports Centre. Further shopping can be found in Gllingham and the historic town of Rochester, with its Norman castle and cathedral and various art galleries.

Train services to London Victoria run from Chatham station from 45 minutes. A high speed link runs from Chatham to London St Pancras in about 40 mins. Rochester and Gillingham stations also offer frequent services to London terminals.

There is easy access to both the M20 and the M2, providing links to Gatwick and Heathrow airports and other motorways.

Like many parts of Kent there are an excellent selection of primary, secondary and independent schools, these include Fort Pitt Girls Grammar, Rainham Mark Grammar, Rochester Grammar, Holcombe Grammar, Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School, King's School Rochester, St Andrews School and Cobham Hall in Gravesend.

*All mileages and journey times are approximate

Square Footage: 6,629 sq ft



Directions

From the A231 in the centre of Chatham follow signs for The Historic Dockyard. On entering, proceed to the North Stables to park.



Additional Info

Services: All mains services

There is an annual service charge/management fee of £2,000 for 24 hour security and maintenance managed by Historic Dockyard Property Limited.