Saltcote Lane, Playden, Rye, TN31 7NR

Salcote Place

Set high above the historic and Ancient Town of Rye and standing at the end of a private tree-lined avenue, Saltcote Place is an handsome country house with outstanding views across the town and countryside below to the English Channel.

Designed by the eminent and renowned architect Sir Reginald Blomfield in the Neo-Caroline style as a wedding gift for the Hennessey family in 1903. A striking Grade II listed mansion with spectacular far reaching coastal views. Salcote Place is set in the middle of four acres of secluded formal gardens above the picturesque and historic medieval port town of Rye. With its elevated position; the house enjoys views to Rye in the west, and breathtaking views to the south and east across Romney Marsh and Camber Sands to the English Channel beyond.

With the benefits of re-wiring, roofing and plumbing, together with the installation of new heating, bathrooms and kitchens this stunning Grade II listed home now combines the beauty of the classical architecture for which Blomfield was so admired with the benefits of contemporary styling and living.

Saltcote Place's expansive and highly flexible living accommodation lends itself to multiple usages including as a primary residence, second home, multi-generational home with self contained penthouse apartment, or use as a luxury holiday rental property, boutique hotel, wedding venue, or retirement home.

The property benefits from a Certificate of Lawful Use from Rother District Council for the use of the property and grounds for up to 4 weddings per calendar year, in addition to a maximum of 10 celebrations a year named as anniversaries, elopements, celebrations of life and birthdays. Maximum number of guests 130 per celebration with permission for a large temporary marquee. Furthermore, the entire first floor comprising of 8 bedrooms can be utilised as luxury B&B/Airbnb accommodation year round.

The adaptable and spacious accommodation is set over three floors, to the ground floor are the light and airy reception rooms with far reaching views across manicured garden, Romney marsh and sea view.

Ground floor

Three primary reception rooms have garden access via large glazed doors to the loggia with Portland stone Doric columns and chequered Pamments underfoot. The stunning main kitchen with a well-equipped support kitchen and an abundance of useful utility and store rooms and an excellent laundry. Store rooms could be staff accommodation.

First floor 

From the large galleried landing on the first floor, access is gained to four spacious bedrooms (with three luxury bathrooms) one of which is used currently used as a reception room. Two of the bedrooms have their own access to the breakfast terrace enjoying and benefiting from the south facing views to the coast. A further four bedrooms of which three are en suite and equally well presented.

Second floor

The second floor comprises the Hennessy Suite, accessed by its own private internal staircase, with three bedrooms enjoying far reaching views, a large shower room, a good sized bathroom with Jerusalem stone and underfloor heating. A granite kitchen and spacious reception / dining room and vestibule / dressing room.

Anyone wanting a craft or painting studio will enjoy the tower room. Currently used as an office with full broadband. This delightful room enjoys 270 degree views over the surrounding town, sea and countryside extending to the white cliffs of Dover at 27 miles.

Outside

Approaching along the private lime tree lined avenue the large automated iron gates lead into a good-sized turning circle to the front of Saltcote Place where the portico is adorned with the Royal Cypher of the late Queen Mother.

A secondary drive with matching automated iron gates gives access to Point Hill allowing a walk into Rye High street of around 750m.

The landscaped grounds feature formal lawns framed by mature yew hedging and interconnecting archways. A stunning boxwood parterre garden with gravel path takes centre stage behind the house and leads the eye towards the glorious views beyond. The largest expanse of lawn on the east side of the garden has been used on multiple occasions as a helicopter landing area, and the house can be reached from the London Helipad in Battersea in just over twenty minutes.

Location

Saltcote Place is situated in the sought after Domesday village of Playden. The house is on the boundary of Playden and Rye.

Playden derives its name from the Saxon word of Plaidena which means ‘deer pasture’ and to this day still retains its original charm. Nearby Rye is a picturesque town which retains many of its historic buildings and offers a wide range of individual shops and restaurants combined with modern shopping and leisure facilities including golf, tennis and sailing clubs.

Within a 15 mile radius of Saltcote Place, there is a good selection of excellent schools for children of all ages. There is also some exceptional countryside nearby at Romney Marsh and fine beaches at Camber visible from the house.

For the commuter there are good links to the A21, M20, M25 and the national motorway network. There are regular services from Rye with connections to the high-speed train service at Ashford International to Central London, Kent coast and The Continent (Paris, Brussels and Nice).