Cudham Road, Downe, Orpington

A beautiful late Victorian house (not listed), in the sought after historic village of Downe, the home village of Charles Darwin, with wonderful gardens in 1.96 acres and gated driveway.

Positioned in the heart of an historic village, surrounded by park-like grounds the property dating back to 1874 has been transformed by the present owners over their ownership. Retaining and restoring many of the period features whilst modernising and updating at the same time.

The accommodation extends to in excess of 7000 square feet over three floors together with cellars and an attached garage.

There are four reception rooms arranged off the reception hall, including a drawing room with its magnificent fireplace and French doors leading out to a large Conservatory, a good sized dining room and family room.

The kitchen/breakfast room has been bespoke fitted by Chambers with an excellent range of wall and floor cabinets and an island unit, along with a four oven, gas fired Aga, integrated appliances and a wine cooler. Elsewhere is a family sitting room, large utility room with walk-in pantry, laundry room, guest cloakroom, shower room, the secondary staircase and access to the cellars.

On the first floor is the media/games room with a dual aspect and wonderful views.

A Victorian staircase leads from the entrance hall to the galleried, spacious first floor landing, which is top lit by a glazed panel.

The principal bedroom suite consists of a large, dual aspect bedroom with wonderful views, supported by a fully fitted dressing room with bespoke cabinetry and large en-suite shower room. There are three further first floor bedrooms supported by two bathrooms. The secondary staircase leads to the second floor where there are two bedrooms, a shower room and very well laid out attic storage rooms.

Outside the property has a character brick elevation with slate tiled roof and is approached via a pair of wrought iron gates opening on to a wide drive and up to the attached garaging.

Surrounding the house, the grounds are park-like , mainly laid to lawn with tall majestic indigenous trees such as Yew, Sweet Chestnut, Beech, Lime and Magnolia, specimen trees such as Monkey Puzzle and Cedar of Lebanon, mature hedging, shrubs and herbaceous borders planted with an array of colourful perennials and roses.

The kitchen garden has raised beds and two greenhouses, and the orchard has pear, plum, apple and cherry trees.

There is terracing adjoining the rear of the house with a further area surrounding the pool and under a pergola, ideal for outdoor entertaining. The pool itself has its own gas boiler, whilst the pool room is contemporary in style.

The tennis court was resurfaced recently, beyond this is some charming light woodland with dappled sunlight and spring flowering bulbs.


Downe Village is a Conservation Area in the Metropolitan Green Belt and was a proposed World Heritage Site, based on the scientific importance of the area and historical associations to Charles Darwin. The quaint and attractive village has many Listed buildings as well as providing amenities such as the church, village hall, two popular pubs, an Indian restaurant and Holwood Farm Shop. There are various local golf courses, including High Elms, West Kent and Cherry Lodge and the area provides superb access to excellent walking routes over the beautiful Kent countryside. There are commuting links via train at Orpington and Chelsfield stations - 4.5 and 4.2 miles respectively – with mainline services to London Bridge, Charing Cross, Canon Street and Victoria. Enjoying a rural setting, the house is under 4 miles from Locksbottom with its range of shops, supermarkets and award winning Chapter One restaurant. The larger town of Bromley with its excellent shopping, recreation facilities and theatre is 5.9 miles away. The area is nationally renowned for the selection in schooling in both state and primary sectors, at primary and secondary levels including village primary schools in Downe and Cudham, grammar schools such as St Olaves and Newstead Woods and independent schools including Eltham College, Radnor House, Trinity, Bromley High School and Sevenoaks School.

Rarely available, must be viewed.

Local Authority: Bromley
Council Tax Band: H