Church Lane, The Historic Dockyard, Chatham, Kent, ME4

Handsome and substantial Grade I listed six bedroom Georgian town house situated in the Conservation Area of Historic Chatham Dockyard.

Description

Officers Terrace is situated within the Conservation Area of the Historic Dockyard of Chatham, which is understood to be the most complete dockyard of the Age of Sail and notable as where Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson's flagship, HMS Victory was designed and built. Now a fascinating maritime museum, it features many restored ancient buildings, scheduled monuments and a diverse range of local businesses from ropemakers, joiners and blacksmiths to software companies and solicitors.

In the midst of the historic dockyard, lies a handsome symmetrical row of twelve Georgian houses, which have been designated a Grade I listing. They date from circa 1720 with later 18th century additions and each boasts its own separate Grade II listed garden, dating from 1719, prior to the construction of the houses. Officers Terrace was so named as it 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 Attendant, Master Shipwright, Clerk of the Cheque, Clerk of the Survey and Storekeeper. 12 Officers Terrace occupies a prime end of terrace position, being one of the more substantial properties, benefitting from over 7,300 sq ft of accommodation and, we understand, it would have been home to the Master Attendant, whose lattice panelled booth and adjoining storage rooms still remain clearly in evidence on the lower ground floor, together with a sizable barrel vaulted cellar.

The accommodation is very well proportioned and presented, featuring high ceilings, picture rails, deep skirting boards, period fireplaces and exposed wooden flooring to the majority of rooms. From the lower ground floor, the entrance hall has a wide sweeping open well staircase which leads up through the floors to the second floor with further wooden stairs leading up to three attic rooms.

The principal reception rooms are situated on the upper ground floor and comprise an elegant double drawing room of fine proportions with fireplaces to either end and views towards the former Admiralty offices and River Medway. Double doors open through to the interconnecting dining room with Wessex bath stone fireplace to one end and an outlook to the private, fully enclosed south-easterly facing courtyard. Combined, these rooms provide the perfect suite for entertaining. A further reception room on the lower ground floor is currently used as a home office/study.

Continuing on the upper ground floor is the dual aspect kitchen/breakfast room which is fitted with a comprehensive range of cupboards. Appliances comprise an integral dishwasher and a Mercury range cooker. Of particular note are the freestanding custom-made pieces; a London Plane dresser, a cabinet and a breakfast table made from sycamore. A boot room links the kitchen and laundry room and has space for white goods. A WC and an inner hall with door to the courtyard complete this floor. Over the first and second floors are six attractive bedrooms, which include a versatile guest suite with sitting room and two bedrooms, a dressing room, three bathrooms with white sanitary ware, a separate WC and three attic rooms. Four of the bedrooms are of lovely proportions with period fireplaces and built in cupboards.

Outside, the enclosed south easterly facing courtyard has a part glazed verandah to one side and two useful storage rooms. To the rear of the property a narrow carriage road divides the houses from their accompanying gardens, beneath which is located a single garage and wood store. The hidden walled garden is reached via a covered flight of steps. The garden, having been designed by the current owners, is a delight, an evocation of an 18th century garden it incorporates wide lavender beds, climbing roses, evergreen shrubs and apricot and cobnut trees. There is a glazed potting shed and several seating areas.

Location

Chatham, one of the Medway towns, has a number of 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 the historic town of Rochester with its ancient Norman castle and cathedral and various art galleries, and further afield in Allington and the cathedral city of Canterbury.

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 45 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: 7,363 sq ft
Leasehold with approximately 90 years remaining.


Directions

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



Additional Info

Services: All mains services, water softener.

Tenure: Leasehold with 125 year lease from 02/03/1989.

There is an annual service charge/management fee of £2,034.48 for 24 hour security and maintenance managed by Historic Dockyard Property Limited.