The Grove (off The Street), Old Kennington, Ashford, TN24 9HA

PLEASE QUOTE REF: SD1012 WHEN ENQUIRING This is a home with imposing and impressive period grandeur, but set within its own magical cottage gardens.  Sitting well back, but fronting The Street in the heart of Old Kennington, you'll find Kennington Lodge.  It's a unique blend of stately WOW factor, but with all the warmth and charm of a much loved family home.  If you're looking for somewhere with three centuries of historic narrative behind it, but space to grow and new stories to write for the future, this could be it.  It truly is enchanting.  OPEN DAY SATURDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER 10.30 - 1.30PM.  Pre-register to come and see.

You'll find the property's sweeping gravel driveway hidden behind large wooden gates, accessed via The Grove.   The driveway winds its way through the delightful gardens leading directly to the front entrance.  You cannot help but be WOWED by this house from the outset, in all its Grade II listed splendour.  It proudly looks out over its own secluded and enclosed gardens which have been lovingly curated by its current owners.  The landscaping has cleverly combined a whimsy mix of rolling lawned areas, well established flower borders and secret paved and winding pathways, under a canopy of tall dappling trees.  

As you enter the striking black and white tiled ENTRANCE PORCH, a part glazed door provides glimpses of the beautifully wooden panelled DINING ROOM beyond. This room welcomes you with its impressive ceiling height, tall sash windows and imposing antique sandstone fireplace.  But even with all this ancient grandeur, there's still an endearing warmth about this room.  Positioned in the heart of the house it feels like an inviting and congregating space, somewhere that brings everyone together.  Absolutely perfect for a fabulous family Christmas!!

If we head left through the solid wooden doorway (masterfully incorporated into the panelling design), we enter the double aspect SITTING ROOM.  Again the ceiling height and sense of space is immediately appealing and apparent.  Sunlight streams through the three leaded light windows on two sides of the room and a magnificent antique brick fireplace holds court on the returning wall.  On the main facing wall, a bespoke built, solid wooden dresser style cabinet stands front and centre.  This is a sizeable and glorious room, ripe for entertaining and filling with family and friends.  

If we head out, back to the other side of the dining room, two small steps lead us up to an inner hall with a part glazed door out to the rear, and doors to the downstairs shower room and THE KITCHEN.  This room enjoys enchanting views out over the gardens at the front and is very well equipped with a full range of wall and base units and ample worktop.   Set out in a very workable U-shape, there's an electric cooker, gas hob with overhead built in extractor, ceramic double sink and integrated dishwasher.  On the return wall, wall-to-wall units are set out in a dresser style with central plate rack and feature shelving and door to a useful understairs storage cupboard. 

Back out to the inner landing, a solid wood panelled door opens to the DOWNSTAIRS SHOWER ROOM, three quarter tiled with walk in shower, wc, washstand unit and separate hand wash basin.    Stairs to the first floor are tucked around the corner of the inner hallway and dog-leg their way up to the upstairs hall which has high ceilings, with Velux windows and runs almost the full width of the house.  Doors lead off here to 4 generous bedrooms with pretty leaded light windows extending delightful views over the front gardens and treetops.  BEDROOMS 2 & 3 are both very comfortable doubles and also have double height ceilings giving them a particularly spacious feel.  At the end of the hall is a door leading to BEDROOM 4 and the MASTER BEDROOM.  The main bedroom is a very generous room both in size and character.  Double aspect, each of the windows fills the space with light and originally this space formed the School Room in its previous life!  Adjacent bedroom 4 is the smallest of the bedrooms but equally appealing with leafy treetop vistas.  THE FAMILY BATHROOM is fully tiled and well fitted out with panelled bath, central taps and hand held shower, pedestal wash basin and wc.

Heading back downstairs at the bottom of the stairs is the back door which leads out to a long, slim walled patio area.  A quiet little sun trap in the afternoon. This runs across the back of the house and down the side of the property forming a walkway between the house and its garages, eventually leading out, under a brick built arch, to the front gardens.  The archway links the house to its very spacious DOUBLE GARAGE which faces front and stands adjacent to the property.   A much later addition to the house and its grounds, this building is not listed and is a larger than average garage space.   It lends itself perfectly as a workshop and storage, and in my opinion may have FURTHER POTENTIAL uses too subject to the necessary planning permissions.  The current owners considered extending the existing kitchen to incorporate the external walkway between the house and the garage and converting part, if not all of the garage into additional living space.  This could potentially create a superb kitchen living dining room with direct access out to the gardens, subject to planning.  This could result in the creation of a stunning period home that embraces a modern family lifestyle.

A paved pathway leads beyond the garages, past an enclosed GREENHOUSE and potting area and down to a secluded lawned area where the current owners have their outdoor entertaining space.  This is a wonderful space enclosed by mature trees and hedges and framed with beautiful flower borders and views over the gardens beyond.  THE GARDENS are a real feature of this property.  The gravel driveway sweeps from the large double gates on The Grove through the 1/3 acre plot, with lawns on either side, up to the house.  A small central copse or grove of tall billowing trees (hence the neighbouring road name , 'The Grove', which was originally part of the property's overall estate) and some well positioned flora and fauna beds, help form several distinct areas within the garden.  These are linked with winding pathways and secret hiding places to create a truly magical garden.  And all set against the backdrop of this beautiful period house.

The only real way to fully appreciate this home is to come and see it for yourself.  It's bursting with character, charm and loveliness and has been the most wonderful family home for its current owners for the past 37 years.  It's been thoroughly loved, enjoyed and cared for and is now ready for its next chapter.  So, if you think you want all of this, in the heart of sought after Old Kennington, a choice of pubs, restaurants and even a Champagne bar all within walking distance, please do get in touch QUOTE REF SD1012 when enquiring. 

Kennington lies on the edge of Ashford a 10-15 minute drive from the town centre with its International Station, Designer Outlet, Cinemas eateries and retail etc...37 minutes into London St Pancras, and about the same travelling time, by car, to the coast, where you'll find eclectic and quirky Folkestone with the EuroTunnel to France and beyond, as well as charming coastal towns of Hythe, Deal and the Port of Dover.  What a fantastic place to live!