Watsons Close, Ashford, TN25 4PU

This is one of those homes that makes you feel proud, the moment you pull up onto the drive....its an imposing, solid and handsome property.  Comfortably set into its wraparound plot, this house is framed by well kept mature hedges and trees and radiates kerb appeal from the outset.  Please use ref. SD1012 when enquiring.   

As you approach from the front, you're treated to the choice of two front doors, the main entrance - with its timber storm canopy above, or you can opt to head in straight to the utility room - perfect practical access for muddy dogs, boots or people!  For the purpose of our descriptive tour - we'll take the main front door.  We're straight into the impressive ENTRANCE HALL with the wooden balustraded stairs and galleried landing above, front and centre as you walk in.  This space is the central hub of this house providing access into all three main reception rooms.  It treats you to glimpses of each, and intriguing hints of the property's continuing grandeur on the first floor, through the galleried landing above.   Heading right, we're straight through to the LOUNGE.  This through room is triple aspect with big windows to the front, double doors out to the patio and gardens at the back, and two further windows to the side either side of the fireplace.  This impressive living space is almost 25ft long and filled with natural light from all angles and views over the gardens front and back. 

Towards the back of the room is a set of internal double doors that grandly swing open to reveal the DINING ROOM.  The perfect design for entertaining, these two rooms are sociably linked as one big space with the doors wide open, or cosy and intimate when closed, as two separate spaces.   The dining room window overlooks the back of the house and extends beautiful views over the rear garden.  And of course the wonderful flow of this family home continues and you're treated to the option of direct access to the kitchen from here, or back out into the central hallway.  We'll head into KITCHEN - and this is not just a kitchen, at 16 feet long, this is prime cooking, eating, drinking and chatting space.   A fantastically laid out kitchen that wraps itself around you.  Its peninsular island and breakfast bar, divides the space comfortably into two distinct zones, a working space at one end and casual dining/seating at the other.  The functional end of the room is well fitted out with gas hob, double ovens, built in microwave, integrated fridge/freezer, ample wall and base units, and lots of worktop space.  And its double sink is perfectly positioned to provide views over the garden and the ideal distraction from the washing up.  The dining area, in addition to the breakfast bar, comfortably accommodates a dining table for at least 4 people, and even has a built in pantry cupboard.  

And of course, as this house is filled with all the practicalities for family life, naturally, straight off the kitchen, is the UTILITY ROOM.  A fantastic space that's double ended with access straight out to both the front and the back of the house.   It's fitted with a tower storage unit and additional base units, sink and worktop and has space for washing machine and tumble dryer.  This room even provides access into the DOUBLE GARAGE.  Open the door and step down into this fantastic double bay garage with one electric and one manual up and over door, leading out to the property's brick paved driveway, with parking for up to 4 cars.  Heading back inside to the entrance hall, we also have access off here into the STUDY.  A very good size working space, conveniently fitted out with desk space, shelving and storage, and delightful views to the front.

Finally, off the hallway, we have a DOWNSTAIRS WC with hand wash basin and separate cloaks cupboard too.    

Heading upstairs, once at the top, there are two bedrooms to the right, and three to the left, two with ensuites, plus a family bathroom.  The first floor of this house mirrors the downstairs footprint, but also extends over the double garage too, meaning you are truly spoilt for space up here.  The MASTER BEDROOM is fully fitted out with wardrobes and plenty of storage space, with wonderful leafy views over the back garden.  Its ENSUITE is well equipped with bath and overhead shower, vanity unit and sink, bidet and WC.  BEDROOM 2 also with gorgeous views across the gardens at the back and similarly, it also enjoys its own ENSUITE BATHROOM.  Fully fitted out with bath, sink and WC.  BEDROOMS 3 and 4, are both doubles and have fitted wardrobes too.  And finally, BEDROOM 5 - positioned over the double garage below, is an impressive 17ft long!  And filled with storage too.  The current owners used this space as their children's playroom, when they were little - what a fantastic space and filled with light that floods in through the dormer window on one side and the skylight on the other.   

OUTSIDE SPACE

Watsons Close is made up of only 7 properties.  All properties in this exclusive development are of a similar impressive style, although all very individual.  The Cedars, is the first in the close and enjoys one of the largest plots.  The current owners negotiated some additional land to the side of the house when they purchased this home 30 years ago from the developer (locally renowned Malcolm Jarvis).  The house sits comfortably back from its boundary at the front and is well shielded by mature hedging and trees.  There is pedestrian access down each side of the property which leads you around, via a wide brick paved pathway, to the rear.  A retaining wall runs parallel with the pathway which widens towards the end to open into a small patio area directly outside the lounge doors.  Here you'll also see 5 steps which lead you up to the property's beautiful raised gardens.  Mostly laid to lawn, they are flanked with well established borders, which sweep around the edges and are filled with mature shrubs, trees and flowers.  In the far corner, a wooden pergola with seating area, swathed in leafy Wisteria, overlooking the gardens and the back of this beautiful house.  It's delightful, peaceful and totally secluded.

Heading to the opposite side of the garden, the lawns narrow towards a wooden arch way, draped in leafy loveliness and creating a natural gateway to the additional land at the side of the house.   Laid to lawn and bordered with mature trees and hedges, this is a particularly private and tucked away spot.  Separate from the house and the rest of the garden, and yet effortlessly connected.  I can imagine this area filled with garden games and football, or a small allotment style veg patch, maybe even some chickens!

POTENTIAL (Subject to planning, building regs and budget, of course!)

This house has been lovingly maintained since it was first built 30 years ago by its current 'one-careful owner'.  Credit to them, and to the standard of the finish, fittings and quality of workmanship at the time, that much of the internal fittings like the kitchen for example, are still original and in great working order.   This means there is a fantastic opportunity here for its next family to put their own stamp on the place, and call it home for the next 30 years.  Its footprint is fantastic and personally, I feel it lends itself perfectly to an open plan kitchen/living/dining remodel.  I would also invest in its outside space too, by pushing the current retaining wall back to extend the current patio area, developing it into a beautiful outdoor entertaining space, seamlessly connected to the house with new bi-fold doors across the back.   What a joy to be able to design your own brand new kitchen and living spaces, exactly how you and your family want them.  

LOCATION

And all of this is made an even more appealing prospect, due to this home's location.  Location, location, location..... refurbishment opportunities pop up frequently, but rarely are they available in such an ideal spot.  Watsons Close is a small, exclusive collection of homes, off this much-loved Ashford suburb and the leafy Sandyhurst Lane.  You have rolling countryside on your doorstep, courtesy of the Eastwell Manor Estate and Park, technically the house sits in the rural borough of Boughton Aluph but it is on the cusp, with Kennington.  This means you are walking distance from all the facilities of Trinity Road and Eureka - Little Tescos, Pharmacy, Pub, Cafe, Goat Lees Primary School, Busy Bees Nursery, Vets - to name but a few!  Beyond these you have Ashford Golf Club and Eureka Leisure and Retail Park with its IMAX Cinema, eateries, Dobbies Garden Centre and even Banatynnes Gym!  What a brilliant spot for living family.

And if all of this wasn't enough, the growing town of Ashford itself offers High Speed Rail Links into London St. Pancras within 37 minutes, and designer shopping at the McArthur Glen Designer Outlet Shopping Centre.  And - junction 9 of the M20, is a five minute drive away, and will take you either London bound or coastal towards the delights of trendy Folkestone and historic Dover and the European gateway to France and beyond, within around 30 minutes!

This house, literally has it all!  Please quote Ref:  SD1012 when enquiring - I look forward to showing you around!