Braymead

This atmospheric mid-18th-century cottage lies in a peaceful pocket of Kent, between Kings Hill and West Malling. Unlisted, it has been thoroughly renovated by its current owners, who have employed a calming decorative scheme throughout. It has enchanting gardens divided into three parts: a front garden and rear courtyard that bookend the house, and an expansive, near-acre additional space across the lane, with an allotment and greenhouse for the green-thumbed, as well as a seating area for long summer evenings.

Setting the Scene

Built in the 1740s, Braymead is a characterful home filled with historic details, including exposed timbers. Under current ownership, it has been meticulously transformed into an authentic period home that simultaneously embraces modern comforts. A carefully curated roster of paint colours from Farrow and Ball, wallpapers from William Morris, and materials have been sensitively employed. Other additions include a new boiler, underfloor heating in both upstairs bathrooms and electrical works.

The Grand Tour

Nestled in a private leafy position, the house sits surrounded by mature trees. Entry is via a charming front garden, accessed via a gate. The front door opens directly to the sitting room, where the home’s consciously rustic and understated palette is introduced. Hearty floorboards run underfoot and exposed timbers span overhead.

The sitting room is orientated towards a broad cast-iron fireplace, now fitted with a log-burning stove. The room curves round to a delightful dining room, which has a second cast-iron fireplace surround and bespoke green-painted storage. In the main downstairs living areas, cast-iron radiators have been added.

A door in the dining room opens to the kitchen, a beautifully appointed space with quarry tiles, dark green cabinetry, a quartz worktop and a range-style oven with an induction hob; there is also an integrated dishwasher and fridge-freezer. A large butler’s sink sits beneath a window facing the garden patio, next to a glazed door that opens to the courtyard.

Next to the kitchen is a snug with another fireplace, sage-green walls and white wainscot panelling. Concealed behind a door, the curved staircase ascends to the first floor, where there are four bedrooms and two bathrooms. The main bedroom suite is particularly lovely: it has wonderful views and a small walk-in wardrobe that opens to an en suite bathroom. An additional attic space is accessed via one of the bedrooms.

Outdoor Space

Enchanting cottage gardens bookend the house, filled with a variety of flowers, shrubs and trees. At the rear is a courtyard space, where hydrangea, fuscia and lilac grows. Across the quiet country lane is an additional garden, a large space with a greenhouse, vegetable beds, a pond and a children’s climbing frame. There is also a pretty pond that teems with wildlife. The house also has a single and a double garage adjacent to the house.

The Area

The house sits in the countryside outside of West Malling, a pretty Kentish market town, with several fantastic restaurants, including the Michelin-listed The Swan and The Farm House and St Leonard's. There are many excellent neighbourhood pubs, including The Joiners Arms and The Five Pointed Star. An award-winning Farmers’ Market takes place on the fourth Sunday of every month.

The house is also well-positioned for the North Downs and the High Weald National Landscape, which have a wealth of walking routes. There are also some wonderful National Trust properties nearby, including Ightham Mote, Oldbury Hill and Old Soar Manor. The home’s excellent connections also bring some of Kent’s most storied sites into easy reach.

There are some excellent schools nearby, including Valley Invicta Primary School at Kings Hill, The Discovery School and West Malling C of E Primary School. For older pupils, The Malling School is nearby, while several of Kent's most sought-after grammar schools, including those in Maidstone, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells, are a short drive away.

West Malling railway station is less than a 15 minute walk and has direct connections to London Bridge and Victoria railway station in 45 and 55 minutes, respectively.