Fairbourne Lane, Harrietsham, Maidstone, Kent, ME17

An exceptional Grade II listed country house with a remarkable architectural heritage.

Description

Fairbourne Manor is an impressive and historically significant country house occupying a distinguished position on Fairbourne Lane, within the attractive rural parish of Harrietsham in the Kent countryside.

Dating principally from the first half of the 17th century, the house retains a wealth of period character and architectural interest. Its origins are thought to lie in a timber-framed core, while subsequent additions have created the handsome and distinctive form seen today.

The principal elevations combine coursed stone, brick detailing and traditional plain-tiled roofs, complemented by an appealing arrangement of leaded casement windows and substantial brick chimney stacks. The house had an Edwardian Arts and Craft extension in 1910 designed by well known architects Eden and Hodgson with later additions dating from 1940.

Internally, the property retains a number of notable historic features, including exposed and chamfered beams and a traditional clasped-purlin roof structure with curved wind braces. These architectural details provide a strong sense of history and authenticity rarely found in properties of this scale and presence.

Fairbourne Manor has been Grade II listed since 1984 in recognition of its special architectural and historic interest.


Stone steps up from the drive lead to an impressive timber entrance door. The entrance hall is light and bright and leads into a sequence of impressive reception spaces, with the well appointed kitchen and dining room conceived as the principal informal heart of the house.

The kitchen is fitted with bespoke cabinetry housing integrated appliances with quartz worktops over and opens to an attractive garden room with extensive views of the garden. The drawing room and sitting room provide more formal entertaining areas with open fireplaces including an impressive inglenook, leaded light windows and substantial oak timbers. A double aspect study, laundry room and cloakroom complete the ground floor accommodation.

Stairs from the inner hall lead to the first floor landing with doors off and stairs to the second floor. The principal suite is fitted with bespoke wardrobe cupboards. The en-suite bathroom is double aspect with a freestanding bath, walk-in shower and a twin basin vanity unit. There are four further bedrooms including a guest suite and a separate family bathroom.

The second floor provides two further bedrooms currently used as a sitting room and gym. There are also useful attic storage rooms.

Fairbourne Manor is approached through double timber gates to a gravel driveway with ample parking for several vehicles and an open bay oak framed cart barn.

The landscaped garden which is predominantly laid to lawn surrounds the property providing all year colour with mature trees, hedging and shrubs. A stone terrace provides outside entertaining space overlooking the garden.

A stunning detached timber framed Kentish barn dating dating from the early 16th Century provides storage for outdoor and gardening equipment, the upper floor with its exposed oak timbers is currently used as a gym.

Location

Fairbourne Manor occupies a rural position on Fairbourne Lane, within the wider Harrietsham area of the Kent Downs. The surrounding landscape is characterised by open countryside, established woodland and the rolling scenery for which this part of Kent is renowned. Whilst enjoying a peaceful location, you are only a short distance from all the local amenities and convenient transport links. Harrietsham train station is nearby with trains to London Victoria arriving in approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes, while Headcorn station is just 6 miles away offering services to London Bridge and Charing Cross. Within easy access of the M20 motorway, the property is extremely well-connected.

The popular village of Harrietsham is served by a general store, supermarket, primary school, parish church, doctors surgery and London line station. The larger village of Lenham is some 2-miles distance and Maidstone, the county town of Kent, is some 8-miles distance. Excellent golf courses are located close-by including Leeds Castle & The Ridge.

*All mileages and distances are approximate

Square Footage: 5,916 sq ft


Acreage: 1.8 Acres

Directions



Additional Info

Services: Oil fired central heating, mains electric, water and private share drainage with one other property.