Birling Ashes, Birling Road, West Malling, Kent, ME19

Originally dating from the 17th Century and benefiting from a Georgian addition on the south side of the building this elegant country estate is beautifully presented throughout and has been tenderly refurbished over time by the current owners. Period features are found throughout the property; exposed timbers, wooden flooring, attractive fireplaces, lead light windows, stone mullion windows and oak doors.

The principal reception rooms provide elegant and impressive areas for formal entertaining and include a period entrance hallway which leads to a breakfast room and reception room with open fireplace. The sitting room benefits from Georgian volumes and links the kitchen with the rest of the house. A private south facing study then completes the ensemble on the ground floor and opens out onto the west facing terrace. Of particular note is the Great Hall which benefits from a full height double vaulted ceiling and a minstrel gallery, all with exposed timbers and superb stone mullion windows. The Great Hall is serviced by a rest room and storage/wine cellar.

The bespoke kitchen is fitted with a comprehensive range of oak wall and base units with a matching island unit with granite work surfaces. The kitchen is accompanied by an attached rest room, utility rooms, a laundry room and pantry.

The first floor accommodation comprises the principal suite with an en suite and spacious bedroom and a dressing room. Three further double bedrooms together with a family bathroom sit on the first floor whilst the second floor, benefiting from access from both the main staircase as well as the secondary staircase linking to the breakfast room, can be used either as a single suite/separate flat or as three bedrooms, a bathroom and a sitting room.

The outbuildings include a detached cottage with living room, well appointed kitchen, two double bedrooms and a bathroom. An attached double garage and an outside store room are also found in the annex alongside the exterior parking.

A brand new pair of stables have been added together with additional workshop/storage space and an attached chicken run.

The wonderful formal gardens features swathes of lawn, a west facing terrace with excellent al fresco dining space, a natural stream running along the south side of the property, a large natural pond with attractive Monet bridge, established evergreen trees and many well tended rose beds, flower beds and clipped topiary. The swimming pool area has been completely updated (with new air source heat pumps) and is privately surrounded by a yew hedge and comes with a charming pool house. A brand new sand school has been established in the trees on the south side of the house.

On the north side if the house are a number of established paddocks, perfect for equestrian use, totalling around 6.1 acres.

Birling Ashes is ideally located for well regarded local schools, both at the Primary and Secondary school level as well as excellent local communications links; including excellent mainline rail services from nearby West Malling (with trains to London Victoria, Blackfriars and London Bridge) as well as Sevenoaks (with trains to Canon Street, London Bridge and Charing Cross).

Local leisure facilities abound locally including some excellent golf courses as well as leisure centres in Kings Hill and Maidstone.