Manns Hill, Canterbury, Kent

Completed in 2020 to a design by RX Architects, this exquisite five-bedroom house is set within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, just a few miles south of Canterbury. Its meticulously finished interiors make masterful use of bespoke joinery, tactile textures, and swathes of glazing that create strong connections to the outdoors. Conceived with the same exacting approach as the internal plan, the beautifully landscaped rear garden is a wonderful spot for gathering or relaxing, and is home to a smart timber-lined studio.



The Architects



RX Architects is a design-led practice based in Rye, East Sussex, founded in 2016. The studio is led by Derek Rankin and Rob Pollard, renowned for their multiple RIBA award-winning projects in the south-east. RXA specialise in high-end residential and mixed-use commercial projects guided by core principles of sustainable design in response to site context and a client-centred approach.



The Tour



An expansive courtyard, laid with gravel and bordered by woven willow fencing, lies in front of the house, creating space for parking. The building’s brick façade cuts a striking figure, with two symmetrical volumes rising across two storeys. Past the porch, the front door opens to a hall bathed with light from above. A built-in cupboard and bench unit provide space for coats and boots.



Here and across the ground floor, textural clay plaster by Clayworks creates a serene atmosphere, and tumbled limestone pavers with underfloor heating extend throughout. The absence of thresholds and the use of pocket doors ensure optimal spatial flow between distinct areas. Considered details are peppered across the home, like Corston lighting fittings, and eco-conscious interventions include an air-source heat pump.



The south-easterly kitchen and dining room has wall-height units and a large island. Built using bespoke plywood, the units have sprayed MDF cupboard doors and are topped with solid stainless-steel work surfaces. Integrated appliances include a Bora induction hob and a double-stacked Siemens oven with microwave. A pocket door reveals a pantry and utility room.



In front of the kitchen, the dining area is warmed by a wood burner and has built-in shelving with apertures into the adjacent living room. The latter, set beneath a double-height vaulted ceiling, has a fantastic sense of volume and has a well-placed window with a built-in seat for admiring the garden beyond.



The house has five bedrooms, one of which is presently used as a peaceful office. There are three on the first floor, all serenely finished with clay plaster and band sawn American white ash floorboards. The principal is an especially restorative space, with an en suite bathroom and a walk-in dressing room. A separate bathroom has been carefully composed, with a curved shower and Japanese finger tiles from Mittsu. On the gallery-style landing is a forged iron balustrade which peers into the living space below and is washed in its gentle brightness.



Outdoor Space



From the dining area, glass panels slide open onto the terrace, a remarkable spot for dining and relaxing. Beyond, a private south-east-facing garden unfolds across 50 metres, mainly laid with pebbles and paved pathways. Corten steel planters contain a variety of shrubs and aromatic herbs, providing colour and fragrance across the seasons. An additional outdoor dining area is set beneath roof-trained crab apple trees, and situated next to the wildflower garden with its established magnolia tree and glass greenhouse that frames the tops of the woodland beyond.



Set within the garden is a self-contained studio clad with silver beech. Equipped with electric heating, a shower room and bespoke plywood joinery, it makes for a wonderful, inspiring space to work and/or create.



The Area



Bossingham is a small village in the heart of the Kent Downs National Landscape. It has a primary school, a village hall and a post office. There are seemingly endless ways to explore nature in the area, including Stodmarsh Nature Reserve, which is known for birdwatching, and nearby Chequers Wood. The renowned Pig Hotel and restaurant is 15 minutes away by car and has a thriving kitchen garden and spa.



The Cathedral city of Canterbury is a short 15-minute drive away. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Canterbury has a wonderful art, culture and history scene, with The Marlow Theatre, Lilford Gallery, The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge, and the beautiful Westgate water gardens, to be experienced on foot or by punt. There is a Curzon Cinema and a wide selection of cafés and restaurants, including local favourites such as The Goods Shed, the Fordwich Arms, Kitch and the Refectory Kitchen.



The city is known for its brilliant schooling options, including the independent King's and grammar schools Barton Court and Simon Langton. Canterbury West rail station is a 22-minute drive away and runs fast services to St Pancras International in just under an hour. Ashford International can be reached in 30 minutes by car. Margate, Folkestone, Deal and the Channel Tunnel are all easily reached by car.



Council Tax Band: G