Woodchurch, Ashford, Kent, TN26

Beautifully presented Grade II listed seven bedroom manor house with stunning detached barn conversion, outbuildings and heated indoor swimming pool.

Description

Great Engeham Manor is a most impressive Grade II Listed manor house of excellent proportions, believed to date, in part, from the 15th century with later 17th, 20th and 21st century additions. This interesting home has been sympathetically refurbished with the emphasis on attention to detail, boasting beautifully presented accommodation including a stylish refitted kitchen, bath and shower rooms, a fantastic billiards/function room with its own bar and a heated indoor swimming pool.

A short distance from the principal house is the outstanding timber framed barn, Great Engeham Barn which was beautifully converted in 2002, and is open to the pitch, incorporating contemporary-style accommodation over two floors, with generous reception space, three bedrooms, a shower room, WC and a private gravelled courtyard garden. Currently used as a holiday let it is also suitable as an annexe, or as overflow accommodation to the main house.

The main house exudes character and charm with its abundance of oak timbers and beams. Generously proportioned reception rooms, offer superb areas for entertaining and include an elegant panelled drawing room which is open to the formal dining room, having an open fireplace and log burner and the latter, understood to form part of the original 15th century Wealden Hall house. Further receptions include a sitting room, a music room and a billiards/recreation room with reclaimed bar and door opening to an east facing terrace.

The remodelled and bespoke fitted kitchen by Mountshill Woodcraft, features an extensive range of cupboards with two central islands. Appliances comprise an electric three oven Aga with a two door warming oven, an integral microwave/combi oven, an integral fridge and freezer, two integral dishwashers and a filter tap. Off the kitchen there is a separate breakfast room with staircase leading up to first floor. A laundry room with two freestanding washing machines and dryers and an integral dishwasher completes the ground floor.

On the first floor are five bedrooms, including the excellent principal suite and the fifth bedroom which is presently used as a study. They are served by luxuriously appointed bath and shower rooms with stylish sanitary ware. The second floor is currently used as a teenager’s suite with two attic bedrooms and a shower room.

The indoor swimming pool complex incorporates a 44 ft heated pool, a WC and shower room.

Approached via sweeping carriage drive the house nestles within its lovely extensive gardens and grounds which feature ancient oak and horse chestnut trees, sweeping level lawns and attractive ponds.

Location

The sought-after town of Tenterden is about 5.8 miles to the south west where there is a wide variety of independent shops, Waitrose and Tesco supermarkets, historic public houses, coffee shops and various restaurants.

There is a leisure centre and further sporting facilities nearby include London Beach Golf Club and Spa, Tenterden Golf Club, Chart Hills Golf Club at Biddenden (8 miles), walking and cycle trails through beautiful High Weald countryside and fishing at Tenterden Trout Waters. Chapel Down Vineyard incorporating the highly regarded Swan Restaurant and Biddenden Vineyards are both nearby.

The pretty historic hilltop town of Rye with its cobbled streets is about 14 miles away and has an excellent selection of antique shops, restaurants and gift shops. Sport and leisure facilities include Rye Golf Club, Rye Lawn Tennis and Squash Club and various water sports at Camber (16 miles).

There is an excellent range of schools in the area in both the state and private sectors catering for children of all ages. These include Tenterden Infant and Junior School, St Michael’s Primary School, Homewood School and Sixth Form Centre all in Tenterden, Dulwich Preparatory at Cranbrook, Benenden Girls School, Saint Ronans and Marlborough House at Hawkhurst and Sutton Valence Schools and Tonbridge School. Additionally there are boys’ and girls’ Grammar Schools at Ashford plus Ashford School and The Kings School Canterbury.

Mainline Rail Services: Headcorn station (10 miles) has train services running approximately every 30 minutes to London. A high speed train service runs between Ashford (6.8 miles) and London St Pancras in about 37 minutes.

Motorway Links: The M25 can be accessed via the M20 at junction 10 providing links to Gatwick and Heathrow airports and other motorway networks.

*All distance and travel times are approximate.

Square Footage: 6,725 sq ft


Acreage: 3.7 Acres

Directions

From Tenterden High Street continue through St Michaels to the village of High Halden. In the centre of High Halden turn right into Church Hill signposted to Woodchurch, opposite The Chequers Inn. Proceed along this road to the very end, which is some 2½ miles, where you will reach a crossroads. Turn right and Great Engeham Manor is the first property on your left hand side.

Additional Info

Services: Oil fired central heating, mains water and electric. Private drainage. Oil fired heating for the swimming pool.