An utterly unique but distinctively attractive detached property, set within Brasted Place and its stunning grounds. West Cottage occupies a generous third of an acre plot which includes several outbuildings, double garage, and a luxury cedar wood cladded office/annexe.

West Cottage was originally built in the mid-1800s and was originally a model farm designed to serve as a dairy for the estate. It was converted into a residential dwelling in the 1960s and has since been extensively renovated and dramatically extended by the current family who have owned it for the last 26 years. The property now offers over 2400 sq.ft of beautifully reconfigured space.

Every effort has been made to preserve and restore period features, such as stripped pine doors, original tiles, Victorian fireplaces and exposed floorboards. This is perfectly balanced with modern enhancements, such as bi-fold doors, a bespoke handmade Robinson and Cornish kitchen and oak flooring.

The current owners worked with a local architect who understood the propertys heritage, and embraced the unusual and distinctive characteristics of the old dairy to deliver a striking façade and decorative interior which is rich in history.

The front door opens into a split-level entrance hall, and directly in front of you there is a splendid kitchen breakfast room, which was originally the cow shed. This has been fitted with a bespoke handmade kitchen that is finished with rich granite work tops and complemented by a large breakfast bar island that incorporates a microwave and additional sink. A range master stove sits central to the units, whilst a pantry has been appointed within the fine quality units. The space is further enhanced by a convenient utility room with plenty of space for laundry appliances.

The corridor leads to a splendid dining room, which is adorned in character with original metro tiles, a Victorian fireplace, exposed floorboards and wainscot panelling. The stripped pine door opens into a magnificent triple aspect sitting room, which frames the views of the garden through a set of bi-fold doors. Solid oak flooring has been laid seamlessly throughout, whilst a wood burning stove has been installed within an original fireplace.

The sunroom has been recently rebuilt, and catches the sun mid-afternoon into the evening, while floor-to-ceiling windows and dark framed aluminium doors fold back to reveal a west facing courtyard.

The downstairs space includes a splendid, vaulted bathroom, which has a free-standing bathtub, and an elegant walk-in shower, while a reinforced glass panel in the floor protects and displays an original marble and tile Victorian drain that was discovered during the renovation of this property.

An oak staircase leads to the first floor where one will find a galleried landing which leads to four generously proportioned bedrooms. The main bedroom has a magnificent, vaulted ceiling and an ensuite shower room, whilst two bedrooms to the rear have stunning views and share a Jack and Jill bathroom.

OUTSIDE:

The 0.30 acre garden wraps around the entire property, and has been beautifully landscaped with mature trees and established shrubs. The south facing courtyard accessed via the French doors from the kitchen and sitting room is a wonderful place for alfresco dining, and is adjacent to the pond, which features an abundance of wildlife.

There is another courtyard on the west side of the property, accessed via the bi-fold doors in the sunroom. There is a driveway which has several outbuildings, including a stable, which is currently used as a log store, a double garage, two workshops and a beautiful cedar cladded studio, currently used as a home office with a super-fast fibre internet connection and potential for several work stations.

The outbuildings offer a wonderful opportunity for home businesses or potential for an annexe.

OWNERS COMMENTS:

We fell in love with West Cottage and knew that we wanted to live there within the first couple of minutes of arriving for our viewing back in 1997. We were so struck by the location: close to the centre of the village and just behind a wonderful and hugely popular village pub, and yet really quiet and not overlooked by anyone. We could tell immediately that it was going to be the happiest of family houses, with a beautiful and well cared-for self-contained garden that would be safe for children, bags of character hidden away behind layers of wallpaper and paint, lots of really useful outbuildings and enormous potential around every corner.

Things were hectic when we turned up: the house had just come on the market and interest was intense, since properties on the Brasted Place estate only come up extremely rarely. We were told by the vendors that this was the first time West Cottage had been on the open market during the 20th century, and some 50 viewings took place over that single weekend, and then people were invited to submit their best bid, and we were overjoyed to be the chosen couple.

In our 26 years here, neighbouring East Cottage has only come on to the market once, when the owner became too frail to live there any more, and around the estate only a handful of properties have changed hands over the years, and we were introduced and welcomed to what is a very exclusive and friendly estate. When we moved in there was a stream of people popping round to say hello and to welcome us to the neighbourhood, and we received a Christmas card from the previous owners of West Cottage for the next 23 years until they sadly passed away. Its that kind of place.

Weve loved every minute here and have lost count of the huge number of happy memories weve made, big birthday parties, fun evenings in and around the house with friends, treasure hunts around the estate to go alongside childrens parties, Christening parties and even regular meets with the local branch of the Morris Minor Owners Club. Its such a happy place, and feels so safe and welcoming. In the evenings you can just listen to the silence, and watch the bats flitting overhead and listen to the owls hooting to one another. The garden is always full of birds and our wildlife pond has been home to a colony of newts that has been visiting for years, while its also a breeding ground for amazing giant dragonflies and beautiful dazzling green and blue damselflies.

All this and we can still be in the heart of London inside the hour, while our last train home is after midnight and were just three miles from Sevenoaks Station. And yet when we look out first thing in the morning all we can see from our bedroom window is a field full of horses and, being south facing, the sun moves around the house all day, filling it with light and bathing the garden in sunshine all day.

It really has been our dream home and, with our children now grown up, we feel its the right time to pass it on to the next owners to enjoy their adventure here. Its sure to be a happy one!

SITUATION:

The Brasted Place estate is an exclusive and closely knit community that has the classic 18th century stately home still at its centre, and its situated in a conservation area and a location designated as being of outstanding natural beauty. The delightful village of Brasted offers two excellent public houses, a convenience store, tea shop and a selection of antique shops.

The historic market town of Westerham is less than two miles away, offering a good mix of restaurants and shops. A small, scenic town with attractive architecture and a beautiful green at its heart, it nestles in the valley of the River Darent and is known as the gateway to the Garden of England, famous for centuries as a centre for the brewing industry. Its huge Black Eagle Brewery closed in the 1960s. and the Westerham Brewery, established in 2004, has recently brought brewing back to Westerham with the opening of its new facility, which hosts regular music and food events, located on the edge of the town.

Sevenoaks is approx. four miles from Brasted, and has a wider range of shops bars and restaurants, while its surrounding countryside is one of Englands most enchanting places. It has more than its fair share of historic houses and gardens, extraordinary landscapes, bucolic towns, and villages as old as time. There is a good selection of primary and secondary education, with the highly rated Radnor House independent co-educational school located just 1.3 miles from Brasted Place. Sevenoaks is also very well connected to London, with a direct train service taking just over 30 minutes, while the M25 and M20 are very accessible, with excellent links to London and coastal towns.







We endeavour to make our sales particulars accurate and reliable, however, they do not constitute or form part of an offer or any contract and none is to be relied upon as statements of representation or fact. Any services, systems and appliances listed in this specification have not been tested by us and no guarantee as to their operating ability or efficiency is given. All measurements, floor plans and site plans are a guide to prospective buyers only and are not precise. Fixtures and fittings shown in any photographs are not necessarily included in the sale and need to be agreed with the seller