Historic Eight Bedroom Residence, St. Margarets Street, Rochester

£1,100,000 - £1,200,000 Guide Price. Historic, Grade II Listed Georgian residence, in-excess of 4,700 Sq/ Ft. Eight bedrooms, three bathrooms, three receptions, large traditionally style kitchen. High ceilings, fireplaces, timber floors & sash windows, period features abound. Substantial four room cellar with development potential (subject to planning permission). Two coach houses, offering garaging, storage, workspace. Sprawling garden with breathtaking views over the River Medway. Vibrant location with excellent amenities. Conveniently located for road and rail networks. Highly regarded schooling options.

Fine & Country proudly present Thorndikes, a landmark Georgian residence enriched by striking Victorian additions. This Grade II Listed home, extending to more than 4,700 square feet, combines architectural elegance with remarkable heritage. Elevated above the River Medway on prestigious St Margaret’s Street, Thorndikes has welcomed celebrated literary guests, including Dr Samuel Johnson, and today offers its next custodians an opportunity to shape an exceptional family home of timeless stature.

Arranged across three floors, Thorndikes is alive with original features, with lofty ceilings, timber-framed sash windows with shutters, rich timber floorboards, bay windows and elegant fireplaces. A substantial four-room cellar hints at exciting development potential, while the principal living spaces are filled with light and open directly to enchanting river views. Though areas of the house would now benefit from sympathetic modernisation, its elegant bones remain untouched, providing the perfect canvas for its next custodians.

A sweeping staircase rises from the welcoming reception hall. To the front, a traditional kitchen and breakfast room features bespoke Shaker style cabinetry and integrated appliances. To the rear, a formal dining room and a palatial drawing room run the full width of the house, each with doors to the garden. A charming sitting room, complete with bay window and feature fireplace, offers a peaceful retreat, while the cellar below presents scope for a wine store, home cinema, gym or office suite.

On the first floor, five generous double bedrooms are served by a well-appointed family bathroom and a separate shower room. The second floor provides three further bedrooms and an additional bathroom, a versatile top storey awaiting a new vision.

Thorndikes is framed by two impressive coach houses, a rare architectural feature. One, attached to the main residence via an internal door, provides garaging and storage. The other, detached with a soaring vaulted ceiling, is an inspiring multi-purpose space, perfect for a studio, therapy suite or home business.

The garden is equally distinguished, featuring broad lawns bordered by mature specimen trees. The west-facing aspect captures evening light and opens to views across the River Medway, creating a tranquil setting for entertaining or simple contemplation.

Built as a new vicarage for the neighbouring St Margaret’s Church, we understand Thorndikes became home to Bennet Langton, a prominent literary figure and friend of Dr Samuel Johnson. Johnson stayed here for a fortnight in July 1783, drawn to the peaceful gardens and spectacular river views.

This remarkable residence is a short walk from Rochester’s cobbled High Street, with its vibrant mix of cafés, restaurants, and boutique shops. Outstanding schools, including King’s School, Rochester Independent College and two grammar schools, are close at hand, while fast rail links provide swift access to London Victoria and St Pancras International. Riverside walks, a nearby marina and a rich cultural calendar complete the appeal of this exceptional location.

Thorndikes is not just a house. It is a rare piece of Rochester’s history, a home of distinction, offering grandeur, versatility, and the promise of an exciting new chapter.

Freehold
Council Tax Band G
EPC Rating D
For mobile phone coverage in the area please look online
Ultrafast & Standard Broadband available at the property, for more information please look online
Property is in a conservation area
Utilities: - Electric / Gas / Mains Water / Mains Drainage / Broadband
On road parking serves the property. Resident permit parking is available £35 per vehicle which is valid for 12 months. Visitor permits can be purchased for £2.30 per day (maximum 50 a month). Free parking is available in close proximity to the property. There is 2 hours free parking within resident parking bays.