Anvil Green, Canterbury, Kent, CT4

An exceptional Grade II* listed medieval hall house of remarkable architectural heritage, set within the idyllic countryside of the Kent Downs.

Description

Handville Green is an outstanding country residence believed to date from circa 1300, representing a rare and beautifully preserved example of a medieval timber-framed hall house in Kent. Set within the hamlet of Anvil Green, the property enjoys a rural setting within a conservation area while remaining within convenient reach of the historic cathedral city of Canterbury.

Sympathetically evolved through the Tudor and Georgian periods, the house retains an extraordinary wealth of original features including exposed oak timbers, historic brick nogging and magnificent inglenook fireplaces. The result is a home of immense character, where centuries of architectural history combine to create a residence of exceptional charm and atmosphere.

The interior is centred around the original open medieval hall, a space that still conveys the scale and drama of the house’s earliest phase. Throughout the property, exposed structural timbers, historic doorways and period fireplaces provide a rich architectural narrative spanning more than seven centuries.

The entrance lobby leads into the hall with doors off to the double aspect kitchen/breakfast room with a two oven AGA and shaker style kitchen units with ample space for appliances. The useful boot/laundry room again with shaker style units has an electric oven and hob, space for white goods and a useful hot cupboard.

The entrance hall with stairs to the first floor is open to the dining room with its historic pantry and buttery doorways from the original service wing and brick noggings. The drawing room is double aspect with a traditional 16th Century inglenook fireplace and leads to the triple aspect sitting room with an inglenook fireplace, backstairs to the first floor and door to the log store room.

The first floor has a light and bright principal bedroom with an en suite bathroom and an original mullion window overlooking the rear garden. Four additional bedrooms, one with an en-suite bathroom are arranged along the historic upper floor and the family shower room. Each room retains its own individual character, enhanced by exposed beams, irregular historic proportions and views over the surrounding countryside.

Handville Green is approached from a quiet country lane within the small rural settlement of Anvil Green over a period brick drive flanked by mature silver birch trees. The property is surrounded by mature gardens and grounds, which provide an attractive setting for the historic house.

The exquisite grounds comprise lawns, established trees and areas for outdoor dining and relaxation, kitchen garden, secluded and sheltered heated outdoor swimming pool, tennis court, stable block, timber framed two bay open garage with room above, together with traditional outbuildings that reflect the property’s long agricultural heritage including a superb detached timber framed open plan annexe with a sitting room, kitchen two bedrooms and two bathrooms.

The setting offers a rare sense of tranquillity and privacy, with the surrounding landscape characterised by farmland, woodland and rolling downland typical of the Kent Downs.

Location

Handville Green enjoys a desirable rural position within the parish of Waltham, approximately 6 miles south-west of Canterbury.

Canterbury provides a comprehensive range of amenities including boutique shopping, restaurants, cultural attractions and highly regarded schools. High-speed rail services run from Ashford station to London St Pancras from 37 minutes, (with connecting services from Wye station), making the property well suited for those seeking a country residence within reach of the capital.

The surrounding countryside offers access to exceptional walks via a network of footpaths, together with cycling and riding opportunities. There are numerous historic villages including Petham (1.8 miles), Chartham (4.7 miles), Wye (5 miles) and Chilham (6.2 miles) with its beautiful castle once owned by Henry VIII.

*All mileages and distances are approximate

Square Footage: 2,968 sq ft


Acreage: 4.39 Acres

Directions



Additional Info

Services: Oil fired central heating, mains electric, water and mains drainage. Air source heat pump for swimming pool.