Woodchurch Road, Shadoxhurst, Ashford, Kent, TN26 1LE

Secret Garden stands proudly set back within its 1/3 acre plot, framed by a gated entrance and gravelled driveways.   The approach to this house is smart and impressive.  The traditional timber storm porch, and its generous Georgian style windows, give this property a distinctively cottagey feel.  It certainly holds its own as part of this pretty village street scene.  And once inside, it doesn't disappoint.  Those big windows flood the house with natural light.  Further enhanced by the light wood floors throughout, fresh white walls, big open spaces, and easy connections with the garden - this house welcomes you in with open arms and feels charming and delightful from the outset. 

As a chalet bungalow the house naturally has a generous footprint, offering a versatile ground floor layout, plus two additional upstairs bedrooms.  These are set either side of a big, light and bright landing area that links these two rooms, but also provides a very usable space in itself.  Please quote ref: SD1012 when enquiring.

So, lets take a descriptive tour, starting from the ENTRANCE HALL...it's wide and treats you to an intriguing line of sight, almost right through to the back of the house - but not quite.  To your right, at the front of the house is the SNUG...filled with natural light from its big Georgian style window over looking the drive and parking area and the well stocked flower borders at the front of the house.  On the opposite side of the hallway BEDROOM 3, is slightly larger in scale but equally light and bright, benefitting from the same, generous Georgian style windows to the front.  This room also features a range of wall-to-wall mirrored wardrobes with sliding doors (available by separate negotiation), which bounce the light around and accentuate the feeling of space in this room.  Hopping back across to the opposite side of the hall, we're in the STUDY, and yet again this is another beautiful bright room with a full width box bay window to the side.  This room is fitted with white, full height storage and shelving units on its two main walls (potentially also available by separate negotiation), making it feel organised and inviting.  The natural light draws you in and the neutral coloured carpet is cosy and comforting beneath your feet.  If you've got work to do, I can imagine this is a great space to get it done!

All three of these rooms could be whatever you want them to be however, lending themselves perfectly to pretty much any purpose - playrooms, bedrooms, office, games room - whatever suits your family set up, these rooms will work.

Let's head past the delightfully fitted out and very welcoming family BATHROOM, with its bougie, freestanding, rolltop bath and separate shower, and the very functional and practical UTILITY room, (with its side access out to the large enclosed gravel area running down the full length of the house), and sit at the table in the DINING AREA in the heart of this house.  This is a great vantage point for taking in the loveliness of all the family space this house has to offer.  With another of those big Georgian style windows with views to the side as its backdrop, the dining table also enjoys the warmth of the working fireplace on the adjacent wall.  This area is well defined as a cosy entertaining and dining space, but is still open and connected to the rest of the living areas.  Sitting at the table you're still part of the LOUNGE area and can see out to the patio and gardens beyond.  You can also keep an eye on who's heading upstairs, downstairs and down the hallway too. 

And from here, if we wander up from the table and over to the sofa, this house metaphorically steps up yet another level.  The current owners have a large corner sofa which slots perfectly into this space, and zones it perfectly.  We have a fabulous set of French doors that open straight out onto the patio and outdoor entertaining space.  There's ample space for a large TV on the wall, although who needs it when you're completely distracted by those gorgeous views of the garden?  To the side is another of those big bright windows, which, on the day of my visit in late March, treated me to a glorious view of the fabulous Magnolia tree in the garden, out in all its full billowy bloom!  And adjacent to the lounge is the KITCHEN.  Well fitted out in the perfect, workable U-shape, you have plenty of wall and base units, lots of worktop space, and a range style cooker that stands front and centre.  And of course a lovely big window and a further set of French doors leading straight out to the outdoor entertaining space.   

Also worth considering is that, subject to building regs, if you're after a completely open plan kitchen/living/dining space, removing the wall between the lounge and kitchen would provide exactly this.  An expansive, open, light, bright sociable family space, with two sets of French doors straight out to the garden.  (Personally if you were going down this route, I'd also be tempted to explore whether you could install bi-fold doors, potentially, right across the back of the house.  My goodness, imagine how impressive that would be?!)

But for now...let's complete our house tour and head up the stairs to the FIRST FLOOR LANDING which in itself is a big space.  It has a vaulted ceiling, wrap-around feature balustrading, skylight and is decorated in the same fresh and simple style as the ground floor.  Its scale, white walls, wood floors and the additional ceiling height make this a very inviting and usable space.  The current owners have fitted wall-to-wall white storage units along one side, which is a great use of the space.  I can also see it being perfect as an office or hobby room area, or shared sibling chill-out space for the bedrooms on either side.  BEDROOM 1 looks directly out over the gardens at the back of the house.  It's a great size room complimented by quirky rooflines, a big window and an ENSUITE BATHROOM retreat. 

On the opposite side of the landing, facing front, is BEDROOM 2.  Again, it's under eaves and has those same characterful rooflines and a lovely big window.  It also has its own,  neatly tucked away ensuite toilet and sink. 

OUTSIDE SPACE

So, if we head outside now, to the front there is a very generous gravelled parking area for several cars, plus additional tandem parking for a further two cars, down the side of the property.  The frontage features mature hedging, leafy planted borders and is gated onto Woodchurch Road.  There is also a sizeable WORKSHOP/OUTDOOR STAORAGE UNIT - tucked neatly in the corner, perfect for gardening kit, bikes and all those necessary outdoorsey bits.  There is access down both sides of the property to the rear.  As we wander through to the back garden, past the side access into the utility room, the lawn rolls out ahead of you up to the mature trees and hedge boundary at the top.  It's the perfect garden for playing, entertaining, parties, BBQs etc.... it's flat, enclosed and wonderfully secluded.  At the very top of the garden stands the GAMES ROOM/ANNEX, which is where this house offers even more potential.  Currently split into a large games area and a shower room with toilet, the current owners have already installed all the necessary, power, light and plumbing up here.  They also have full planning permission granted for its official change of use to a separate Annex and to extend the building to the side creating a one bedroom dwelling with open plan kitchen/living/dining room, ensuite shower and dressing area.   This kind of independent, ancillary accommodation opens up a wealth of opportunity, and provides future-proofing options for growing and changing family circumstances over the years to come.

If you're looking for an attractive and unique family home, that you can move straight into, that will give you flexible living space both inside and out, but also offers potential opportunities to add further accommodation too - this could well be it.  A fantastic chance to buy not only a fabulous home but somewhere with all the ingredients to potentially create your forever home too. Please quote ref: SD1012 when enquiring.

LOCATION & LIFESTYLE - Secret Garden is in the heart of Shadoxhurst Village, an area sometimes referred to as the gateway to The Weald.  A rural mix of countryside, woodlands, and farmland with a wealth of footpaths, byways and bridlepaths.  The village has its own village shop, The Kings Head pub, village hall, a 13th century church, and even a well regarded Spa and even a very high-end, boutique garden centre.  As you can imagine, there's a strong sense of community here and locals can enjoy a host of organised events and regular activities that are there for the taking if you fancy getting involved.  The house is also within a 5 minute drive of Park Farm with Tesco Extra Store, Hairdressers, School & Nursery.  And a 10 minute drive of Ashford's McArthur Glenn Designer Outlet, Ashford International Station with High Speed links to London St. Pancras within 37 minutes!