This Grade II listed house, built in the late 16th century, has been beautifully restored by the current owner, combining contemporary elements with its original character. The house has a separate pool house with two additional bedrooms, an indoor heated swimming pool and a steam room. An all-weather tennis court sits within the grounds along with a second outbuilding, currently used as a large office, a brilliant gym and a workshop with ample storage. Set in the pretty Elham Valley in Kent, the house is nestled within approximately 3.6 acres of private gardens, offering stunning views of the magnificent rolling countryside beyond.

Setting the Scene

The house underwent restoration in the late 20th century and then again by the current owners. The timber-framed structure with rendered infilling and plain tile roof is typical of its architectural period. The first floor features a characteristic jetty design supported by solid spandrel brackets. A modern addition to the house is a glazed garden room, which is used as a spacious and bright living area with garden views. Despite its contemporary elements, the house retains its historic charm with impressive inglenook fireplaces, original beams, and a complete four-light diamond mullion window on the first floor.

The Elham Valley, situated in the North Downs, is a beautiful chalk valley shaped by the River Nailbourne. In the valley, a 22.5-mile walking route stretches from Hythe to Canterbury Cathedral. This path closely follows the path of the former Elham Valley Railway, which operated during the 19th century but ceased operations in 1947. The bridge connecting the house to the road was originally a railway bridge, as the railway line used to run along the bottom of the lower paddock. For more information, please see the History section.

The Grand Tour

The front door opens into a porch area with original narrow floorboards. To the right is a bespoke kitchen with terracotta-tiled flooring laid in a herringbone pattern sourced from France. The kitchen has a blue Aga set against an exposed brick wall, the colours creating a striking contrast. Beyond the kitchen is a breakfast room with a glazed door leading to a terrace at the rear of the home. A useful utility room with green-painted cabinetry, a butler’s sink, and a stable door opening to the garden is also accessible from the kitchen.

Two living spaces flank the kitchen. On one side is a dining room, currently used as a playroom, while the other is a sitting room with an original brick inglenook fireplace and a wooden bressummer. French doors connect the sitting room to the garden room, a bright and voluminous space with walls of glazing and a vaulted ceiling with an exposed timber frame that echoes the older part of the house.

A staircase leads to the first floor, where four double bedrooms are situated. The principal bedroom on the south side of the house has timber vaulted ceilings that echo those in the garden room below. It includes a walk-in dressing room and en suite bathroom with a freestanding roll-top bath, a separate shower, and charming tongue and groove panelling. The second bedroom has its own en suite while the other two bedrooms share a good-sized family bathroom. Additionally, there are two large cupboards on this floor.

Across the driveway from the main house is the pool house, a separate annexe with a modern kitchen, dining area, and living space. Here, engineered oak floors complement the sleek cream cabinetry and grey walls. A wall of glazing between the original beams reveals a heated indoor pool with another exceptional vaulted ceiling. The lower-ground floor of the pool house has twin shower rooms, WCs, and a steam room. Upstairs, there are two double bedrooms and a further shower room.

The top barn, a second outbuilding that also benefits from separate access via a side driveway, is currently used as a large gym, a substantial office (equipped with fitted oak desks) and an attached workshop with ample storage throughout.

Externally, tall timber electric gates lead to a driveway and parking area. A carport is available for two vehicles with an electric car charger and storage space.

The Great Outdoors 

The house is surrounded by approximately 3.6 acres of enchanting gardens and a paddock with picturesque views of the Elham Valley and the Nail Bourne River. The mature gardens are interspersed with beech hedging and several sun terraces, providing lovely outdoor dining spaces. Additionally, there is an orchard, a refurbished AstroTurf tennis court, and a beautiful timber greenhouse on the grounds.

Out and About

The house is nestled between the pretty villages of Elham and Barham in the Elham Valley. A regular bus travels to both Canterbury and Folkestone, which can be caught at the end of the lane. Elham offers various amenities, including a highly regarded primary school, a doctor’s surgery, two churches, a village hall & store, and two public houses, including one soon to be refurbished in the main square. Barham also has a village store, primary school and a popular public house, The Duke of Cumberland, with a restaurant attached.

The cathedral city of Canterbury is around eight miles from the house, itself a thriving city brimming with history and culture, including Canterbury Cathedral, which dates from 597 AD. Theatres include the Marlowe Theatre and Canterbury Castle. The city is also renowned for the canals that cut through it, where punting is a favoured pastime. The cobbled streets have many shops, restaurants, and pubs flanking both the High Street and surrounding historic lanes. Highly regarded restaurants and eateries include Cafe Dez, and Ccork for English sparkling wine, while Posilipo is known for its authentic Italian cuisine. Just beyond the city walls, The Goods Shed has wide acclaim for its buzzy atmosphere, market fare, and locally sourced ingredients. It also has a wide range of secondary schools.

The port town of Folkestone is 10 miles away, known for its rich art scene from the Triennial to the Folkestone Fringe, as well as a wealth of galleries and exhibition spaces, such as in the Creative Quarter and at the Quarterhouse. In addition, the F51 Skate Park, which recently opened, includes the highest climbing wall in the southeast. The Folkestone Harbour Arm is now home to a variety of independent shops and food kiosks, as well as live music and an outdoor cinema in the summer. Regular farmers’ markets are held in Sandgate Village Hall, as well as at Folkestone West station.

The rest of Kent’s brilliant coastline is within striking distance from the house, including popular towns such as Whitstable, Margate and Deal.

The house is brilliantly connected; Canterbury West and Folkestone West railway stations are both a short drive from the house and have high-speed services to London St Pancras station in around 50 minutes. The house is also minutes from the A2, which connects Dover with London.

Council Tax Band: G