A former vicarage, this lovely five-bedroom house retains a wealth of its original features and is located in Sevenoaks, Kent, just a 23-minute train from London Bridge. Originally a singular residence serving the nearby church of St Mary's, the building was sensitively converted into townhouses in the early 2000s. Some 2,741 sq ft of living space unfolds over four floors of perfectly executed interiors. An enclosed terrace overlooks sweeping communal gardens, and secure parking is at the front and rear, accessed from a private, gated road.

Setting the Scene

The Cleves was built in 1875 as the new vicarage for the parish of Kemsing. It was named after Ann of Cleves, one of Henry VIII's wives, whose family was given the parish of Kemsing by the King. Situated in a conservation area, the house is a fine example of late 19th-century Arts and Crafts architecture; typical vernacular Kentish features, like ragstone walls and pegged clay tiles on roofs, are found throughout the building, which served as the local vicarage from 1875 to 1924. After its iteration as a Vicarage, then became a youth hostel for a great portion of life before being reverted back into a series of houses, with great care and attention taken to preserve its architectural merit. For more information, please see the History section below.

The Grand Tour

Accessed by a private driveway with wooden electric gates, the house's front exterior is a handsome combination of ragstone walls and mullioned windows; entry is via a pale green door. At the front of the plan, a large kitchen has voluminous ceilings and is perfect for entertaining; here, veined marble tiles line the walls, and limestone flooring runs underfoot. The space is large enough for a dining table in the centre and is fitted with contemporary cabinetry.

Adjacent sits a large reception room with commanding views over the vast communal gardens. Painted in 'Green Smoke' by Farrow & Ball, the room has solid oak flooring and original lead windows. A useful cloakroom sits at the foot of the stairs.

On the lower-ground floor, an imposing secondary reception room has direct access to a private terrace overlooking the gardens. Finished in a calming sage grey by Farrow & Ball, the space has an original Arts and Crafts fireplace and bookshelves nestled in the Gothic arches. Down a flight of stairs, sitting just off the reception room is a useful cinema room-come-gym. This is lit by a porthole window at the front of the house.

Ascending to the first floor, a large guest bedroom overlooks the side of the house and is complemented by an en suite shower room. Two additional bedrooms have wonderful views over the grounds and treetops, and the main bathroom with a bath, a vanity and a WC sits in between.

On the second floor, two bedrooms have been combined to make a vast primary bedroom suite. Illuminated by skylights and dormer windows, the rooms have been fitted with bespoke cabinetry and have beautiful exposed beams. The primary bedroom has an en suite shower room and dual-aspect views over the gardens and side of the plot.

The Great Outdoors 

The Cleves have a special character, with a mix of impressive period formality and natural rustic charm. Externally, a pretty sun-trap garden is bordered by well-established climbers and hedges. The space is perfectly secluded and has enough room for a dining table and chairs. From the terrace, there is direct access to the expansive south-facing communal gardens; a large area of formal and landscaped lawn. Awash with ancient trees, flower beds and topiary, the space is enclosed for the sole use of the Cleves residents.

To the east of the grounds, a path leads through a narrow wooded shaw and opens onto Kemsing's village green; an area of roughly 25 acres of mown grass with a well-equipped child play area, tennis club with three courts, cricket club and a pretty Pavilion. To the west, a path leads through private wooded grounds to a public footpath which leads to the Pilgrim way, the ancient pathway from London to Canterbury which follows along the southern scarp of the Downs.

Out and About 

The house is situated in Kemsing, a historic Kentish village that forms part of Sevenoaks in an Outstanding Natural Beauty area close to the North Downs. There is a small collection of local shops and restaurants in the village, as well as a primary school, vets, doctor’s surgery and pub. The larger town of Sevenoaks is approximately four miles away and has an excellent array of shops, restaurants, and other services. There are several well-regarded grammar and preparatory schools  (e.g. St Michaels and Russel House) for all ages within easy reach.

Sevenoaks station is extremely well connected, with fast services into London Bridge, taking about 23 minutes, and London Waterloo and Charing Cross, approximately 27 and 32 minutes, respectively. Otford rail station is a five-minute drive away with a wider range of facilities, including Sainsbury's superstore, as well as direct services to London Victoria in approximately 40 minutes and London Blackfriars and Ashford International, both in around an hour.

The A21 at Chipstead gives access to the M25, and with M20 is close by.

Council Tax Band: G