6 bedroom detached house for sale

The Old Vicarage believed to date back to 1826, is a fine and extremely attractive example of Georgian architecture with rendered façades, rows of impressive large sash windows, and a slate roof. The owners, who over the last 23 years, have gradually enhanced and added notable amenities, including the redecoration of the house, upgrading of utilities and bathrooms, a new roof, and the landscaping of the gardens and grounds. All the work has been carried out to a high standard and very sympathetically to preserve the history and architectural style of the house. The Old Vicarage is a superb family home that enjoys the character of a historic property, combined with the modern amenities required for family living in the country. The accommodation is well-presented and extends to over 4,400 sq ft arranged over three floors, offering a great balance between formal and informal living.

The main reception rooms are accessed off the reception hall and comprise an impressive dual-aspect drawing room and dining room. All of the rooms benefit from grand proportions, are filled with light from the full-height sash windows, and enjoy views over the glorious gardens and grounds. Interesting period features can be found throughout the property, including wide floorboards, original shutters, stone fireplaces and intricate cornice detailing. The proportions allow for entertaining on a grand scale.

The large Richard Edmondson-designed kitchen/breakfast room and utility room are well equipped with fitted Gaggenau, Miele and Sub-Zero appliances, electric AGA, and a larder. Accessed off the kitchen/breakfast room is the sitting room with double doors leading out to the rear terrace.

Also on the ground floor are the delightful dual aspect study/snug area complete with sash windows and a large fireplace, a secondary office with bespoke Richard Edmondson joinery, and a downstairs WC. Stairs on the ground floor lead down to a vast cellar, providing wine storage and extremely versatile space and further storage.

Stairs lead to the first floor, where the arched sash window perfectly frames the view of St Laurence Church. The first floor has excellent bedroom accommodation comprising a generous principal bedroom suite with an en suite bathroom which enjoys views over the grounds from the window seat. The principal suite also benefits from a dressing room across the landing.

There are three further bedrooms, all of a consistently good size, and a family bathroom and WC. All of the rooms have great ceiling heights and are light and bright, with large windows overlooking the grounds.

The self-contained guest wing is accessed from the landing and provides two good-sized double bedrooms and two bathrooms and would lend itself to staying guests or staff.

The Old Vicarage is approached via a gated entrance and gravelled drive that leads to the large parking area at the front of the house.

Sitting within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the gardens and grounds are an important feature of The Old Vicarage and form the most delightful and tranquil setting, complementing the house extremely well. The gardens are fully enclosed and privacy is provided by the 6.46 acres in which the property sits.

The Old Vicarage enjoys stunning, well-maintained gardens and grounds designed by Roger Platt, a gold medal winner at Chelsea, which encircle the property with many established specimen trees, including five Great Oak Trees and an outstanding Plane Tree, shrubs, flower beds and magnificent topiary. The formal garden is mainly laid to lawn with a ha-ha, a striking water feature, and a newly paved terrace area at the rear of the property, which provides a perfect setting for al fresco dining. The charming walled garden hosts a kitchen garden and has a private pathway that leads to St Laurence Church.

The Old Vicarage occupies a delightful setting on the edge of the attractive village of Hawkhurst, next to St Laurence Church, and located in the heart of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Hawkhurst is a thriving and well-served village which offers a wide range of everyday shopping and leisure facilities including a Waitrose supermarket, a post office and a cinema. More extensive shopping facilities can be found in the nearby towns of Royal Tunbridge Wells, Wadhurst and Heathfield.

The area has excellent road and rail links from the A21 at Hurst Green, which provides links to the south coast and with the M25, which provides easy access to London and Heathrow and Gatwick international airports as well as links to the Channel Tunnel. Mainline rail services to London Bridge, Charing Cross and Cannon Street operate from Etchingham (4.3 miles), Staplehurst (11 miles) and Tunbridge Wells (14 miles) stations.

There are a number of well-regarded schools in the area in both the state and private sectors including Marlborough House and St Ronan's at Hawkhurst, Dulwich Preparatory School in Cranbrook, Benenden School, Holmewood House Preparatory School in
Langton Green, Tonbridge School, Kent College (for girls) at Pembury. There are also grammar schools for boys and girls in Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge and we understand the property lies within the Cranbrook School Catchment Area.

There are numerous sporting and recreational interests in the area, including golf at Dale Hill, Chart Hills, and Crowborough Beacon. Sailing and boating at Bewl Water and the South Coast centres such as Brighton Marina, Eastbourne, and Hastings. Opera at Glyndebourne. Horse racing is at Goodwood, Lingfield and Brighton. Motor racing can also be found at Goodwood. There is an abundance of country walks and riding to be had in the surrounding area, utilising the extensive public foot and bridlepaths, including Bedgbury Forest and Hemstead Forest.