5 bedroom detached house for sale

An enchanting family home tucked away in an exceptional rural setting, yet just seven miles from Tunbridge Wells.

Description

A delightful Grade II listed home dating back to the 16th century and enjoying an enviable rural position surrounded by countryside and set within historic gardens and grounds. Formerly forming part of a larger country estate, The Owl House takes its name from the "Owlers" who took up the smuggling of wool from the Kent/Sussex coast to France in the late 1600s when trade was outlawed to protect the textile industry. They communicated from their hideouts at night by calling to each other like owls.

This special home is beautifully presented having been carefully brought up-to-date to meet the needs of modern family life by our clients, who have been its custodians since 2006. Yet the charm which attracted Lady Dufferin (nee Guinness), who purchased it as her weekend estate in 1952, can still be appreciated today. She renovated the house and entertained many guests including members of the royal family and created a wonderful professionally-designed garden which extended beyond the current boundaries.

Notable features include the "cat slide roof", crooked chimney and the unusual revolving hanger set into the main beam of what is now the dining room, said to be for hanging skeins of wool. The property enjoys a lovely outlook to all sides over the extensive grounds and the sense of history can be felt throughout, with aged oak timbers, oak drop latch doors and inglenook fireplaces. Further accommodation is available away from the house, with an annexe comprising a living area/games room, a bedroom and a shower room over a detached cart-style three-bay garage and with a kitchenette on the ground floor.

The gardens wrap around the house to all sides, extending to about 4.27 acres in all, comprising different areas and were opened to the public in 1960, and used to host weddings and private parties for many years. To the front of the house, the grounds are enclosed by an impressive brick wall, there is a wide paved terrace and an arboured walk-way.

The rest of the grounds comprise park-like and woodland areas, underplanted with swathes of spring bulbs and with several specimen trees including silver birch, a mulberry, cedar, eucalyptus, walnut and flowering cherries.

A pretty pavilion provides a focal point on the site of a former grass tennis court and there is woodland beyond the boundaries.

Access from the private track is via an electrically operated gate to a good parking and turning area in front of the garage.

The Owl House is nestled in an enviable rural position on the Kent/Sussex border, at the end of a long private driveway within a small group of characterful properties.

Although surrounded by countryside in an Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the property is well-placed for family life being approximately 7 miles from Tunbridge Wells and approximately 4.5 miles from Frant station at Bells Yew Green.

Location

Lamberhurst is the nearest village and one of the last in Kent to produce iron. Today there is is a good local community with a general store/post office, well-regarded pubs including the 15th century Chequers inn, The Brown Trout and The Vineyard, whilst the village Common is popular for local events.

There are many interesting attractions in the area including Bewl Water Reservoir with a wide range of activities including fishing, sailing, rowing and walking, Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest with walking, cycling and riding trails and the National Trust run Scotney Castle with its picturesque gardens, parkland, woodland and traditional hop gardens. There are golf courses in Lamberhurst, Ticehurst and Tunbridge Wells.

Wadhurst is approximately 5.5 miles, offering more extensive amenities including supermarkets, post offices, individual shops, bakeries and butchers.

Tunbridge Wells (approximately 7 miles) offers comprehensive amenties with high street shopping, supermarkets, two theatres and a wide choice of pubs, cafes and restaurants.

State and private schools: Lamberhurst has its own well-regarded primary school. Preparatory schools include Sacred Heart in Wadhurst, Marlborough House and St Ronans in Hawkhurst Vinehall and Bethany in Goudhurst. At senior level Uplands Academy in Wadhurst, Kent grammar schools in Cranbrook, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells and privately Tonbridge for Boys, Benenden and Mayfield for girls, Sevenoaks, Kent College Pembury, Bethany and Claremont.

Mainline rail: Frant (at Bells Yew Green, approximately 4.5 miles) with services to Charing Cross (via London Bridge and Waterloo East) and Cannon Street, or Wadhurst (approximately 5.3 miles) further down the same line.

The Owl House is situated approximately two miles from the A21, with Hastings approximately 20.8 miles to the south, whilst Camber Sands is approximately 25 miles famed for its sandy beach. The M25 London orbital motorway lies to the north, linking to the national motorway network, for Gatwick and Heathrow airports, and the Eurostar tunnel which is approximately 40 miles to the east.

Square Footage: 3,239 sq ft


Acreage: 4.27 Acres

Directions

From Tunbridge Wells, head south on the A267 Frant Road. At The Bull pub, before the speed camera, fork left onto Birling Road. At the end of this road continue straight over Forest Road onto Bayham Road. Follow this road for about 5 miles passing through Bells Yew Green and Little Bayham. Crossing the border into Kent you will enter the hamlet of Hook Green. Just before The Elephants Head pub, turn left into Clay Hill Road. Keep on this road for approximately 0.5 miles and take sharp right into Mount Pleasant Lane. The private track to Owl House will be found on the left after about 0.6 miles. Continue to the very end and the rear gate to the Owl House will be seen on the right.

Additional Info

Services: Oil-fired central heating, mains water and electricity, private drainage.

Outgoings: Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, Tax Band G.

Agents' Notes:
1) The private shared driveway to The Owl House serves eight properties in total with any upkeep divided on an ad hoc basis.
2) We wish to inform prospective buyers of this property that the seller is an employee of Savills and is a member of the Tunbridge Wells residential sales team.
3) Discussions have taken place with the Tunbridge Wells Planning department for further extension. Please contact the office for further information.