A charming Grade II* listed two storey stable conversion, with beautiful and secluded gardens set within the tranquil grounds of Lullingstone Castle.

Description

The Old Stables is a delightful Grade II* listed two storey stable conversion dating from the 16th Century with later alterations, situated within the tranquil grounds of Lullingstone Castle, which dates from the 15th Century and is set in a Conservation Area. The Old Stables provides beautifully presented and flexible accommodation arranged over two floors, including an adjoining self-contained annexe, perfect for a holiday let and with scope for extending into the loft. This unique property which adjoins the Castle gatehouse, has a wealth of features including wall and ceiling timbers and beams, exposed brick walls, deep window sills, double glazed wooden casement and sash windows, solid and engineered oak flooring, impressive fireplaces and under floor heating to the kitchen and principal bedroom. The property sits within beautiful established walled gardens which provide an attractive backdrop.

The impressive reception hall is of excellent proportions and has a wood burning stove and stairs rising to the first floor.
Together with the principal reception rooms this provides an ideal space for formal and informal entertaining.

The principal reception rooms comprise an attractive double aspect sitting room with the focal point being the striking inglenook fireplace and with delightful views over the gardens, and the garden room which is also double aspect and has double doors opening to the terrace and a further area of the private garden.

The contemporary kitchen/dining/family room is fitted with a range of bespoke floor to ceiling cupboards, together with a unique curved set of base units with quartz work surfaces over and incorporating a breakfast bar. Integral appliances by Siemens include full height fridge, full height freezer, double oven, microwave, drinks unit, standard dishwasher and compact dishwasher. There is also a Grohe boiling tap, a 1 ½ bowl Corian sink and two double “domino” induction hobs with extractor above. There is an adjoining area for informal entertaining with an attractive fireplace and a spiral staircase leads to the first floor.

The principal bedroom suite is a wonderful space of excellent proportions incorporating a bedroom with a vaulted ceiling, window seats and a staircase rising to a mezzanine area which currently used as a dressing room. Adjacent to the bedroom is a luxuriously-appointed bathroom with a striking frosted glass wall, freestanding bath and separate walk through shower. Above this room is another mezzanine floor accessed by a set of pull down ladders.

An inner hall situated off the principal bedroom leads to a superb, vaulted recreation room which is currently used as a gym and TV room. Three sets of bi-fold doors lead out to the driveway and have full length panelled shutters to allow for further privacy.

There are two further bedrooms arranged over the ground floor together with a shower room and useful boot/utility room to the hall with outside access.

Adjoining the property is a self-contained annexe which can be accessed via the main kitchen/breakfast room and also benefits from its own access to the garden. The annexe comprises a sitting room, kitchenette, bedroom and shower room and is a versatile space suitable for an au pair, multi-generational family living or a holiday let.

To the first floor and accessed via the spiral staircase there is a cinema room and a substantial guest bedroom which benefits from an en suite bathroom that also connects to the central first floor landing overlooking the reception hall. To this part of the first floor there is a further bedroom (with restricted head height) and a dressing room which in turns leads to a useful eaves storage room.

A charming pedestrian gate leads via a cobbled flint path to the front door. This path, which is centuries old, leads round to a small mixed fruit orchard. To one side there is an area of lawn flanked by borders under planted with flowering perennials, providing year round interest, and a [cobble stone] path runs parallel from the front door via a five bar gate, to the driveway, which provides parking for several cars.

From the driveway a path leads down one side of the property and round to an area of garden incorporating terraces and an area of lawn bounded by mature trees and a mixture of shrub and flowering borders.

The majority of the garden is west-facing and is a particular feature of the property, providing privacy and seclusion and being bounded on all sides by mature hedging and deep abundantly planted shrub borders. A terrace provides an ideal area for al fresco entertaining.

In total, the plot amounts to about 0.5 of an acre.

Within the communal grounds is a beautiful 15 acre lake, adjacent to the property’s parking area.

Location

The Old Stables situated in the grounds of Lullingstone Castle which has been home to the Hart Dyke family for twenty generations. St Botolph church which was built in the early 16th century is located within the grounds, Kingfisher Angling and Preservation Society is located at the 15 acre lake that sits alongside the castle - and Lullingstone Golf Course and Lullingstone Park are adjacent to the Castle grounds with Lullingstone Visitor Centre a short distance via riverside footpath from the Castle grounds. Lullingstone Roman Villa sits between the Castle and Eynsford which is a beautiful village at the heart of the Darent Valley, set in the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The village has an ancient hump back bridge and ford together with many Tudor buildings, a Norman church and the ruins of a Norman castle nestling beside the river Darent. Eynsford has a number of local shops, pubs and restaurants and is within close proximity of the M20/M25.

Comprehensive Shopping: Swanley (3.4 miles) and Sevenoaks (8.1 miles) offering supermarkets and high street shops. Bluewater (9.1 miles).

Mainline Rail Services: Eynsford (1.7 miles) serving Blackfriars & St Pancras International (en route to Kentish Town) during the week and London Victoria at weekends. Swanley and Farningham Road stations (London Victoria). Sevenoaks (London Bridge/Canon Street/Charing Cross).

Primary Schools: Eynsford, Shoreham and Otford.

Grammar / Secondary Schools: Wilmington Girls and Boys Grammars and Dartford Boys and Girls Grammar Schools and DSTC in Dartford, Judd School, Weald of Kent Grammar for Girls, Hillview Girls School and Tonbridge Girls Grammar School in Tonbridge. Skinners, Tunbridge Wells Girls Grammar and Tunbridge Well Grammar School for Boys in Tunbridge Wells. Trinity School, Knole Academy, Weald of Kent Girls Grammar and Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys in Sevenoaks.

Private Schools: Sevenoaks School, Tonbridge School, Walthamstow Hall and a number of other private prep and senior schools.

Leisure Facilities: Possibility of fishing at Lullingstone Castle as a member of Kingfisher Angling and Preservation Society . Lullingstone Park is immediately adjacent to Lullingstone Castle with footpaths throughout and with Lullingstone Visitor Centre a short distance via a riverside footpath from the Castle grounds. Golf in Lullingstone, Shoreham, Otford and Sevenoaks (Wildernesse and Knole Park). Swanley Leisure centre.

All distances are approximate.

Square Footage: 5,663 sq ft


Acreage: 0.5 Acres

Directions

From Sevenoaks take the A225 north towards Otford/Eynsford. Continue into Eynsford village along Eynsford Road turning left into Riverside opposite the village church. Continue over the hump back bridge and proceed along this lane where the road becomes Lullingstone Lane and following the signs to Lullingstone Roman Villa. At the Roman Villa continue straight on to the private driveway that leads to Lullingstone - do not turn left onto the farmer’s track or into the Roman Villa’s car par. Continue for approx. 0.5 miles to the very end of the road where there is a black gate with an access buzzer located on a post to the right. Continue onto the private grounds with the lake to your right. The driveway for The Old Stables can be found on your left hand side.

Additional Info

Sevenoaks District Council
Band H

Services
Oil fired central heating
Private water & mains water

Agent note: Photographs taken in September 2021.