Great Maytham Hall, Rolvenden

Some homes have a history. The Tennant Suite forms part of a story known around the world.

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Occupying a privileged position on the first floor of Great Maytham Hall, this magnificent two bedroom apartment offers all the scale, elegance and atmosphere of an English country mansion, without the considerable responsibility of owning and maintaining one alone.

Surrounded by approximately 17 acres of beautifully maintained communal gardens and grounds, the Tennant Suite is an exceptional rural retreat on the outskirts of the sought after village of Rolvenden.

Whether chosen as a principal residence, a refined countryside escape or an effortless lock up and leave, this is a home for those seeking tranquillity, privacy and a genuine sense of occasion.

An unforgettable arrival

The experience begins at the Clock House, before continuing along the impressive tree lined drive towards Great Maytham Hall.

Glazed entrance doors open into a grand communal hallway, where imposing pillars, period detailing and a magnificent oak staircase immediately reveal the architectural importance of the building.

Beyond the hallway is the Churchill Room, the original grand salon of Great Maytham Hall and an extraordinary communal reception space for residents. Doors open directly onto the paved rear terrace, with beautiful views across the formal lawns, gardens and countryside beyond.

The Tennant Suite is approached via the impressive main staircase and occupies a wonderful first floor position, enjoying panoramic outlooks from both the front and rear.

The Tennant Suite

The apartment opens into a magnificent reception hall extending to approximately 31 feet.

With its remarkable proportions, high ceilings and beautiful decorative cornicing, this is far more than an entrance hall. It establishes the grandeur and elegance found throughout the apartment and provides a natural setting for artwork, antique furniture and treasured collections.

The reception hall flows into a spacious dining area, creating an impressive environment for both intimate dinners and larger gatherings.

Alongside it, the elegant drawing room and library is one of the defining rooms of the apartment. High ceilings, beautiful decorative cornicing, fitted bookcases and a handsome marble fireplace create an exceptional sense of character.

Tall windows frame far reaching views across the gardens and surrounding countryside, while the stunning window seats provide the perfect place to sit, read and enjoy the breathtaking outlook.

The kitchen and breakfast room enjoys a particularly memorable view along the main tree lined drive towards the Clock House. It is an outlook that brings the beauty and history of Great Maytham Hall into daily life, whether enjoyed over a quiet morning coffee or while entertaining friends.

There are two generous double bedrooms.

The principal bedroom is particularly impressive, offering excellent proportions, extensive fitted storage, a dedicated dressing area and its own en suite shower room.

The second bedroom is also a comfortable and beautifully presented double room, with far reaching views across the gardens and countryside to the rear. A separate family bathroom serves this bedroom and visiting guests.

Ample storage is provided throughout the apartment, which has also been newly carpeted.

Those viewing carefully may discover that the Tennant Suite still holds one or two secrets of its own, adding an unexpected and wonderfully playful dimension to this already remarkable home.

Country mansion living

Life at Great Maytham Hall extends far beyond the apartment itself.

Residents enjoy the use of magnificent communal reception rooms, paved terraces and approximately 17 acres of gardens and grounds. Formal lawns, mature trees, colourful borders, a water garden, kitchen garden and the celebrated walled garden create an ever changing backdrop throughout the seasons.

Here, mornings can begin with views along the tree lined drive. Afternoons can be spent walking through the grounds, while guests can be welcomed into surroundings of genuine architectural distinction.

This is the rare pleasure of country house living without the usual demands associated with maintaining a substantial rural estate.

For an international buyer, regular traveller, downsizer or purchaser seeking a distinguished countryside base, the Tennant Suite offers a compelling combination of beauty, history, privacy and convenience.

The apartment can be secured and left with ease whenever travel calls, ready to welcome its owner home on their return.

A remarkable architectural legacy
The present Great Maytham Hall was substantially rebuilt by Sir Edwin Lutyens between 1909 and 1912 for the Right Honourable H J Tennant.

Lutyens retained elements of the earlier house while creating a building of striking symmetry, scale and theatrical grandeur. Great Maytham Hall is now Grade II* listed, while its historically significant park and gardens are separately registered at Grade II.

The Tennant Suite takes its name from the family for whom Lutyens created Great Maytham Hall and occupies part of the principal central building.

Great Maytham Hall also has an important association with the internationally celebrated architect and urban designer Sir Terry Farrell, who, together with Lady Farrell, made his home within the hall and played a significant role in celebrating its architectural heritage.

The garden that inspired a classic

Before Lutyens transformed Great Maytham Hall, the estate was home to the author Frances Hodgson Burnett.

During her time at Great Maytham Hall, Burnett discovered a neglected walled garden hidden behind an ivy covered doorway. She restored it, planted roses and found within its walls the inspiration for her most enduring novel, The Secret Garden.

The historic walled garden remains part of the grounds of Great Maytham Hall today, offering residents a tangible connection to a story that has enchanted readers around the world for generations.

It is a literary association of genuine international significance, but only one element of what makes Great Maytham Hall such an extraordinary place to call home.

Rolvenden and the surrounding area

Great Maytham Hall enjoys a peaceful rural setting close to the picturesque village of Rolvenden and within easy reach of the thriving market town of Tenterden.

Tenterden is admired for its attractive tree lined High Street, independent shops, cafés and restaurants, while the surrounding Weald of Kent offers historic houses, renowned gardens, vineyards and beautiful countryside.

The medieval town of Rye and the East Sussex coastline are also within comfortable reach, while mainline railway stations at Headcorn and Staplehurst provide services towards London.

A truly special home

The Tennant Suite is not simply an apartment within an impressive period building.

It is an opportunity to enjoy the grandeur of one of Kent’s most distinguished country houses, the tranquillity of its gardens and an architectural and literary heritage that few homes could ever hope to offer.

Grand yet welcoming, peaceful yet practical, it provides a sophisticated lock up and leave lifestyle in a truly unforgettable setting.

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We endeavour to make our sales particulars as accurate and reliable as possible; however, they do not constitute or form part of an offer or contract, nor can they be regarded as representations or relied upon as statements of fact.  All interested parties must verify the accuracy via their solicitor, who will check any relevant lease information, related charges, parking, ground rents, fixtures/fittings, rights of way/access, permissions for extensions/conversions, and required planning/building regulations.  Appliances have not been tested, and interested parties may want to have them checked by a professional.  The floorplan is not to scale, and its accuracy or measurements cannot be confirmed; all interested parties should consult their surveyor should they want verification of the floorplan or plot size.  All interested parties should seek the advice of their surveyor in relation to the building structure.

The Tennant Suite is offered leasehold, with approximately 105 years remaining from an original term of 125 years commencing on 1 January 2007. The property benefits from the use of the magnificent communal gardens and grounds at Great Maytham Hall, together with parking for two private cars within the designated parking areas. Ground rent is currently £300 per annum, with the current service charge available upon request.

Please note that AML (anti-money laundering) checks are a legal requirement to proceed with a sale/purchase of a property, and these are done through our partnered company Movebutler/Iamproperty at a cost of £30 inclusive of VAT per applicant.