Finglesham, Deal, Kent

Finglesham Grange is an enchanting country house set in rolling countryside close to the Kent coast. Grade II listed, the property has evolved from 17th century origins to result in the striking home that presents today. Further additions were made during the 19th century, notably at the turn of the 20th century when the splendid tower was added.

The internal space flows from a sensational reception hall from where a magnificent galleried staircase passes large leaded windows with stained glass. From here the principal reception rooms stretch across the front of the house. The elegant drawing room is arranged around a recessed fireplace and has large arched windows, dado height panelling and intricate moulded ceilings. The adjacent dining room provides a wonderful space for entertaining, with the same elegant windows and French doors opening to the garden. A less formal but still well-proportioned sitting room is flooded with light through tall sash windows and French doors.

At the heart of this excellent family house is a generous kitchen/breakfast room. Arranged around an island there is ample room for a good-sized table in front of a pretty tiled fireplace and a large bay window. The original domestic offices provide a pantry, utility room and storeroom, which continue to provide the excellent functional spaces that contribute to the smooth running of a substantial country house. There are also extensive cellars.

On the first floor the bedroom accommodation is accessed from a wide landing. The principal bedroom and bedroom 2 are set either side of a bathroom room, providing a sumptuous suite if desired. To the back of the house are five further excellent bedrooms (two en suite) and both a family shower room and bathroom.

The second floor is home to the remaining bedroom which has an adjoining study area and shower room, perfect for a teenager’s den.

A further high-ceilinged room, currently arranged as a gym/family room, provides a flexible space. From here stairs rise to the wonderful tower room and balcony, a somewhat eccentric feature which offers a wonderful vantage point with views across the surrounding countryside.

Stairs rising from the reception and inner halls also give access to a generous galleried landing with double doors to a parapeted balcony above the porch.

THE COTTAGE
The Cottage provides secondary accommodation attached to the house. It comprises a ground floor sitting room with a fireplace, kitchen and cloakroom. On the first floor there are two bedrooms and a bathroom.

Finglesham Grange is approached over a sweeping gravelled driveway arriving at the front of the house.

The generous gardens are mainly laid to parklike lawns with a backdrop of mature trees and shrubs providing an established setting for the house.

Behind the house a sheltered terrace, accessed from the kitchen, provides a super spot to enjoy with an ornamental pond adjacent.

A useful outbuilding provides storage and a stable.

The hamlet of Finglesham is found just outside the popular coastal town of Deal. There is a pub at Finglesham with nearby Sholden and Northbourne offering village shops, pubs and primary schooling. Deal has a charming award-winning high street, and a long, uninterrupted stretch of beach. There is an array of shops, restaurants, pubs and cafes in the town, as well as superb schools, supermarkets and leisure facilities. Sandwich also provides extensive shopping, with further amenities being available in Dover and Canterbury

There are a variety of first-class golf courses in the area, including links golf at the famous Royal St George’s Golf Club at Sandwich, and the Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club. Local outdoor pursuits include coastal cliff walks, fishing, sailing, water sports and further golf courses.

Transportation links are excellent: the A2 links to the M2 and motorway network, Stagecoach provides regular buses and St Edmund's School in Canterbury offers a dedicated minibus service, Deal and Sandwich stations have regular services to London, whilst the Port of Dover and the Channel Tunnel terminal at Folkestone give easy access to the Continent.