Mereworth Road, West Peckham, Kent, ME18

A striking Grade I listed country residence, presenting elegant accommodation arranged over two floors, set within the most magnificent gardens & grounds approaching five acres

Description

Dukes Place is an impressive Wealden hall house understood to date from the early 15th century with later additions, situated in the Metropolitan Green Belt on the edge of the popular village of West Peckham, and enjoys delightful views over the surrounding Weald of Kent countryside.

Salient points include exposed timbers, solid oak doors, lattice oak frame windows and sills, attractive feature fireplaces including inglenooks, column radiators, some vaulted ceilings and a bespoke kitchen.

Also of note are the immaculately manicured gardens and grounds, which incorporate impressive ancillary accommodation, garaging, a range of outbuildings, a tennis court and swimming pool.

West Peckham is a thriving village clustered around a pretty village green, where cricket is played. St Dunstan’s church in the village appears in the Domesday Book and dates back to the turn of the 11th century. There is a gastro pub with its own micro-brewery (The Swan) and a village hall.

Impressive primary reception rooms comprise a striking sitting room, dining room, medieval hall and adjoining library area, with an abundance of attractive open fireplaces and outlooks over the gardens, all of which provide excellent areas for both family living and formal entertaining.

A study and separate boot room have fitted furnishings and could be utilised as additional reception areas if required.

The kitchen/breakfast room is equipped with a comprehensive range of bespoke wall and base units with a variety of integral appliances including an Aga.

Adjoining the boot room and accessed via outside is a utility room providing additional storage and space for appliances. A cloakroom completes the ground floor.

Four sets of staircases ascend to the first floor and superb principal bedroom suite which has an attractive fireplace, dressing room with fitted wardrobes, and is served by a shower room across the hallway.

There are five further double bedrooms, all served by separate bath/shower facilities, and enjoying splendid views over the gardens and beyond.

Dukes Place is approached via electronically operated ornate wrought iron gates over a sweeping tree-lined gravel driveway, culminating at the ancillary accommodation and outbuildings, providing ample off road parking.

Formal gardens to the front feature manicured knot designs, well-stocked flower beds, and shaped topiary, complemented by mature rambling roses that enhance the property’s façade. Landscaped lawns wrap around the property with a swimming pool with a paved surround and seating area to one side.

Further knot gardens interspersed with idyllic pathways span the rear of the house which is also adorned with established planting, and lawns interspersed with specimen trees extend to the perimeter hedge.

A tennis court and vegetable garden are situated beyond the garaging, and a number of terraces provide excellent areas for al fresco entertaining.

Opposite the property and separated by a private driveway is a paddock laid to pasture, ideal for equestrian use or the grazing of livestock.

Location

Local Shopping: West Malling and Hadlow both offer good local amenities catering for everyday needs including post office, greengrocers, bakers and pharmacy; Hadlow also has a farm shop, primary school, doctors, dentists, library and agricultural college. Kings Hill provides supermarkets including Waitrose and Asda, chemist, vet, doctors and dry cleaners.

Comprehensive Shopping: Tonbridge provides supermarkets and other high street retailers as well as many Pubs and Restaurants, as does Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells and Bluewater Shopping Centre.

Mainline Rail Services: Borough Green and West Malling (4.6 miles), Tonbridge (7.9 miles), Sevenoaks (11.9 miles) and Tunbridge Wells (13.2 miles).

Primary Schools: Mereworth, Hadlow, Shipbourne and Plaxtol.

Secondary Schools: Judd Boys Grammar in Tonbridge, Tonbridge Girls Grammar in Tonbridge and Weald of Kent Girls Grammar School. Several state/grammar schools in Maidstone.

Private Schools: The Preparatory Schools at Somerhill. Hilden Oaks and Hilden Grange in Tonbridge. Senior schools in Sevenoaks, (Sevenoaks and Walthamstow Hall), Tonbridge School in Tonbridge. Holmwood and Kent College in Tunbridge Wells. Bethany, Sutton Valence. (Some schools offer a bus service from Mereworth and Kings Hill).

Leisure Facilities: Nizels Golf and Fitness centre in Hildenborough. Tonbridge School gym and pool open to the public. Poult Wood Golf Club, Tonbridge. Also in Tonbridge are outdoor and indoor swimming pools, the Angel Leisure Centre and a range of sporting clubs to include football, baseball, swimming and sailing. David Lloyd Tennis & Fitness Club at King’s Hill. Many bridle and footpaths in the surrounding area.

Please note that all distances, timings and measurements are approximate.

Square Footage: 5,068 sq ft


Acreage: 4.75 Acres

Directions

From Sevenoaks, proceed in an easterly direction on the A25 through Seal village, Borough Green and St Mary’s Platt. At the traffic lights at the end of this road turn right onto London Road and take the next right turn onto Seven Mile Lane. Continue along for 3.1 miles then turn right onto Mereworth Road, continuing along for approximately 0.7 of a mile where the drive for Dukes Place will be found on the left hand side.

Additional Info

Services: Mains water, electricity and drainage. Oil fired central heating.
Agent Note: Photographs taken June 2024.
H & S: Swimming pool in grounds.
Cottage Council Tax Band: D