Built in 1840, this charming four-bedroom house was once the village bakers and lies in Boughton-under-Blean, just outside of Faversham, Kent. Extending to over 1,900 sq ft, the interiors have been expertly restored throughout, with the current owners extensively renovating the lower-ground floor, forming a seamless open-plan kitchen and dining room, which leads onto a pretty cottage garden. Faversham is a historic market town, awash with antique stores, boutiques, cafes and restaurants. Nearby Canterbury is a short drive away, and Faversham Station has direct trains to London St Pancras in under 70 minutes.

Setting the Scene 

The main portion of the house dates from 1840 but is thought to have been constructed on the foundations of a much earlier timber-framed bakery. The heart of the building was its expansive 18th-century wood-fired bread oven, which had space to fire 150 loaves at a time, producing daily bread for the village. The sheer size of the original oven can be seen in the newly formed kitchen, which follows the original footprint of the firing room. The bakery on the street served the Boughton-under-Blean until 1920, after which point it was sensitively converted into a residential space. For more information, please see the History section.

The Grand Tour

Entry to the home is via a handsome wooden door topped with a glazed fanlight. The original family entrance to the house, the door leads to a light-filled hallway, which has been painted in a calming 'French Grey' by Farrow and Ball. At the rear of the hall is an elegant sitting room defined by a large sash window that overlooks the quiet rear garden. The walls are painted in a neutral palette of colours by Little Greene, and there are traditional radiators. A cast-iron Victorian fireplace is flanked by original timber cupboards.

With its own glazed frontage and separate entrance, the original bakery shop to the house is currently used as a spacious artist's studio. It is awash with natural light, which filters through vast expanses of conservation grade glass, and is maximised by the whitewashed walls and original stripped flooring. The space could easily be incorporated into the main part of the house (via two doors leading to the hall or study and kitchenette beyond).

From the studio, there is a spacious rear hall with a kitchenette and wash basin, making it a useful addition to the current artist's studio. It also includes a separate WC. Towards the rear of the layout, there is a large fourth bedroom that is currently being used as a study. This room offers dual-aspect views of the home's rear and side, and it has been beautifully finished with a vibrant 'Celestial Blue' by Little Greene.

The lower ground floor of the house, which used to house the kitchen and original baker's oven, has been imaginatively transformed into a series of spaces suitable for family living. Towards the front of the plan is a generous utility space, along with a separate bathroom with WC. Towards the rear, the original kitchen has been converted into a charming snug. It has tongue and groove panelling and a modern wood burner nestled into the brick fire breast. The original Pamment flooring, worn by over 200 years of use, adds character and brings the history of the home's bakery past to life.

The large open-plan kitchen and dining room was once the site of the original baker's oven and has been thoughtfully converted into an expansive cooking and entertaining area. It has teak parquet flooring and Farrow and Ball 'French Grey' walls, creating a bright and inviting atmosphere. Natural light pours through aluminium bi-fold doors that lead to the private garden. The sleek, black kitchen is topped with German 'Pumkin Orange' laminate worktops and comes equipped with integrated appliances. Towards the front of the room, there is a large dining area with a glazed door opening to the house's side entrance.

On the first floor, original 19th-century panelling lines the hallway walls. The primary bedroom overlooks the front of the house and has a charming fireplace as its focal point. It has been elegantly finished with a calming 'French Grey' colour by Farrow and Ball. Adjacent to the primary bedroom is a neat guest bedroom also overlooking the front. This room has been painted in a vibrant 'Citrine' by Little Greene.

Toward the rear of the layout, there is a peaceful third bedroom with a view of the beautiful garden. The space has an original fireplace and a large sash window. Completing this floor is a family bathroom with broad, stripped floorboards and bright, white subway tiles. The bathroom has a bath, shower, vanity, and WC. It has been painted in a moody 'Hague blue' by Farrow and Ball.

The Great Outdoors

Externally, the gardens of this property create a picturesque country oasis in a village setting. A flagged patio, laid with repurposed bricks from the original baker's oven, is the perfect spot for alfresco dining during the warmer months. The patio is bordered by fragrant lavender, Hypericum, damson and verbena, adding to its charm. It leads to a well-maintained lawn that forms the centrepiece of the garden.

At the rear of the garden, along a bricked path flanked by mature quince and apple trees, is the stable block. This substantial structure has dual-aspect glazing and is currently used as a studio and storage area. Outside the building, there is a bricked patio and a small greenhouse at the side.

Conveniently positioned at the side of the house, there is a useful single garage that has direct access from the street, as well as a rear entrance accessible from the garden.

Out and About

Boughton-Under-Blean is a charming village on the outskirts of the town of Faversham, Kent. On the original Roman road, the village is characterised by its diverse, historic architecture. Opposite the house is the White Horse, a boutique hotel and restaurant with a Dorchester-trained chef. There is also the Queen's Head (a gastro pub with weekly live music), the Dairy (a locally regarded restaurant) and a convenience store.

The village is a short journey from Faversham, Canterbury and Whitstable. Faversham is well-known for its weekly local food market, monthly Brocante - the largest town centre antiques market in the UK - and a host of restaurants and cafes. Faversham Creek is host to the famed fish market 'Hermans Plaice', independent antiques stores and waterside pizzeria Papa Bianco.

The Phoenix Tavern and Sun Inn (which date back to the 14th century) are well-regarded pubs in the area, both serving gastro-menus. Shepherd Neame Brewery is also in the town centre, offering regular tours, and there is an independent cinema which dates back to the 1930s. Faversham hosts an annual hop festival, literature festival, and nearby Whitstable hosts a contemporary art biennial and annual oyster festival.

A little further afield is the revered Macknade food hall and cafe, which dates from 1847 and offers locally sourced produce. Gusbourne and Chapel Down make locally produced white and sparkling English wines and have wine tours year-round. Kent is awash with walking routes and historic houses, alongside apple and cherry orchards (of which Kent is famous for as the Garden of England)

Boughton-Under-Blean is a 10-minute drive from Faversham station, which offers regular, direct services to London St Pancras in 70 minutes. Faversham is wonderfully connected, with the Eurotunnel at Folkstone a short drive away and St Pancras International offering direct services to Paris and beyond in some two hours.

Council Tax Band: D