Buck Street,Challock,Ashford,TN25 4AR

PLEASE QUOTE REF: SD1012 WHEN ENQUIRING.

If you go down to the woods today....you're sure of a big surprise.  Hidden away off the main route through the village of Challock, is a small courtyard of cottages.  Approached via a private, 'residents only' driveway, and centred around a small communal green, this exclusive collection of whitewashed cottages are a delight.  And tucked in the corner is number five.   It's semi-detached, double-fronted and very cute.     The brick built porch and half-glazed PORCH and window to the side, welcomes you in.  The ENTRANCE HALL treats you to glimpses left and and right into the lounge and kitchen with the stairs straight ahead.  An open coats and boots rack, or 'bootility' hints at the outdoorsy lifestyle which this house totally embraces. Turning straight into the KITCHEN/BREAKFAST ROOM, the space feels light and bright with generous ceiling height and natural light streaming in through the window to the front and glazed door at the opposite end of the room, straight out to the rear garden.  It's a farmhouse style kitchen with a full range of cream, shaker style wall and base units and a useful congregating central island.  Front and centre on the main wall, a range style cooker stands proudly positioned within the chimney opening, under a chunky wooden mantle and a ceramic tiled backsplash.   A mix of solid and part glazed kitchen units work their way around the kitchen walls topped with solid wooden worktops.  At one end of the kitchen, tucked in the space under the stairs, is a small raised dining 'nook'.  With fitted bench seating and a built-in table top, it's a super cosy corner for eating, drinking and chatting.

A fully glazed door provides tempting glimpses of the gardens beyond and a further door leads through into the SNUG.  This is a double aspect room with leafy views of the side and rear gardens.  Original wooden floorboards and fireplace with wooden surround give the space a warm and inviting feel.  Double doors will take you straight out to the back garden or, at the opposite end of the room a 'hidden' winding staircase leads its way up to BEDROOM 5/STUDY.  This is the sweetest little space, tucked away under the eaves but with direct views through the Velux window out over the garden at the back and the trees beyond. 

Let's head over the the other side of the house now where we find THE LOUNGE.  This is a really good size room with natural light flooding in through the window to the front with its views of the communal green, and also from the back, where the room opens out to the conservatory at the rear.  A central feature fireplace with wooden surround, frames an imposing solid wood burning stove within.  It's very easy to picture this room in the winter months, filled with cosy warmth and the glow of a real fire.  The room opens directly into the DINING CONSERVATORY running across the back of the house.  With fully glazed roof and half glazed back wall overlooking the rear patio area, this is such a bright and airy space.  Comfortably accommodating the current owners dining table and seating for 10, this is a big, well used family room!    And the views over the outdoor entertaining space and well established surrounding gardens is fabulous! 

Heading back to the entrance hall and up the central staircase, a delightful little nook at the top of the stairs frames the window with views of the back garden and out towards the neighbouring woodlands of Kings Wood.  Honey coloured wooden floorboards and wood panelled doors lead across both sides of the hallway and into 2 double bedrooms on one side and a further bedroom and family bathroom on the other.  All bedrooms are double and each has its own uniquely pretty view.  The FAMILY BATHROOM is fitted with bath and overhead shower, hand wash basin and w/c.

And up a further staircase is the MASTER BEDROOM and ENSUITE.  This is a real haven, tucked up on the second floor with apex roofline and two Velux windows extending fabulous treetop views over the gardens and woodland behind.  Fitted wardrobe space is cleverly incorporated and leads through to an ensuite shower with toilet and WC.

FURTHER POTENTIAL If all of this wasn't enough, the property could also potentially benefit from the successful resubmission of existing lapsed planning permission to knock the existing Kitchen/Breakfast Room and Snug into one big space, opening out into a brand new 11m x 6m Kitchen/Living/Dining extension with bifold doors straight out to the garden.  WOW!  Previously passed but now lapsed plans are shown. Planning for the scheme shown was granted December 2018. Full details can be found on Ashford Borough Council's website Ref: 18/01002/AS 

OUTSIDE This is really where this home comes into its own.  From the moment you wander up the front path, stepping through the hedge opening and into the front garden, there's something romantic and magical about this house.  You can follow the path around to the side of the property, through the metal pedestrian gate and straight into the back garden...It's a whimsy mix of mature trees, well established hedgerows and rolling grass that leads directly into 1,450 acres of ancient woodland.  Backing onto Kings Wood means this property is tucked into its own private corner of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has the most delightful of backdrops.  Lift the latch on the wooden picket gate at the bottom of the garden and you're straight out into the woods.  To your right is the end of the shared driveway that gives a limited few residents of Forest Cottages, you included, separate access to the rear of their properties and number five's own additional private parking area, secured behind electric metal gates.  There's also a detached timber GARAGE and timber SUMMER HOUSE in this area.  But, personally speaking, the best is yet to come.  Positioned adjacent to this area, at the bottom of the garden and with direct views over the woods is a solid timber gazebo with shingle roof.  It frames the most fantastic OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING & PARTY ZONE.    (Items detailed potentially available by negotiation) The current owners have installed a ASADO PARRILLA GAUCHO GRILL & BBQ.  What is Asado?  To quote the world famous Grill Manufacturer:

'Picture a mound of charcoal made from native woods, an open pit, and a metal grill loaded up with the best cuts of beef, pork, or chicken—it's not just a way of cooking, it’s a ritual. Asado are a big part of any gathering, with the hours spent cooking becoming a chance to hang out, catch up, and enjoy good company. And once the grilling’s done, it’s time to dig in and enjoy the fruits of your labor.'

Fridges and storage are hidden underneath and extend out to each side of the grill, fitted with sliding metal doors and providing plenty of food prep surfaces on top.  If you like outdoor cooking - you will love it!  The kitchen grill area has a tap to one side and power all around.  The current owners have fitted the party zone with a SONOS sound system with well placed speakers which bring all the party vibes!!  There's room to seat at least 8 around an outdoor table and additional guests on outdoor sofas and chairs.  That's if you can get them out of the hot tub which bubbles away at bath watering 40 degrees in the background!

To revisit further words from the Argentinian Asado Grill Makers:

'The essence of asado is friendship and hospitality, the coming together of family and friends around the warmth of the charcoal-fuelled fire and the drifting smell of cooking meat. Argentina is renowned for its hospitality, the importance of the Sunday lunch outdoors, gathered around the smoke of the asado, a symbol of warmth and friendship.'

This sums up the spirit of this property perfectly in my opinion.  It's clearly a much loved family home, in an unique and delightful woodland setting that its current owners have thoroughly embraced over the past ten years.  If you're looking for a family home that unreservedly invites you to live the outdoor lifestyle on the edge of an idyllic Kentish village, this is it. 

Challock itself is approximately 7 miles from Ashford town center with its International Station and Hi-Speed links to St. Pancras, London.  The village has a rich community history and is set in An Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  With the ancient and beautiful woodlands of Kings Wood renowned for its carpet of May time Bluebells, the rolling village Lees which hosts Challock's annual, and much celebrated historic Goose Fair, an OFSTED rated OUTSTANDING Primary School, a well stocked and much supported local farm/Barn Shop and a pub to boot, it's not surprising that this is one of Kent's most sought after villages.

To come and see this hidden gem of house, and appreciate all it has to offer inside and out, please get in touch.  PLEASE QUOTE REF: SD1012 WHEN ENQUIRING. 

I look forward to showing you around!