9 bedroom house

Surrounded by glorious Kentish countryside and set on the outskirts of the charming village of Benenden, The Moat is a handsome, Grade II Listed Wealden Hall house with origins dating from the fifteenth century. The present owners have spent a great deal of time, money and energy into restoring and sympathetically extending the house as well as upgrading the exceptional outbuildings and creating wonderful gardens and grounds, which include the restoration of the moat itself. The external appearance is typical of the period with exposed oak timbers and colour washed render, under a tall, pitched clay tiled roof, whilst internally accommodation extends to in excess of 7,400 square feet and is arranged over three floors. Ceiling heights are good and there are many period features such as exposed oak wall and ceiling beams, latch doors, wide planked oak floors, as well as brick and flagstone flooring, a fine oak staircase and of course the King Post on the second floor. Windows are leaded light casements through which there are marvellous views over the gardens and grounds and there are a variety of fireplace styles including a marble surround in the dining room and a magnificent brick inglenook in the drawing room.
Outside

The house is approached via a pair of electrically operated gates mounted on brick pillars on to a gravel drive sweeping to a wide parking and turning are in front of the moat, before continuing on past the coach house and on to the far court yard. The gardens and grounds are beautiful, having been designed to reflect the magnificence of the house and to sit well within the surrounding countryside. Herbaceous borders are well-stocked with colourful perennials and specimen shrubs, knot garden with miniature box hedging, the rose garden has lovely old English varieties and there are swathes of well-tended lawns. Terracing traverses the rear of the house, providing a wonderful place for outdoor entertaining and for taking in the views of the grounds. The moat surrounds the house and has been meticulously restored with three bridges and stone retaining walls, whilst the lake is a haven for wildlife and for open water swimming. Engineering has been put in place to ensure a measured flow and circulation of water between the moat and the lake. There is detached garaging and additional parking area. Extending to 5.65 acres, the grounds surround the property with open paddocks to the front with a large pond, Summer House and gazebo, whilst to the rear the part walled gardens have been thoughtfully landscaped to provide colourful herbaceous borders, a cut flower garden, lawns, meandering paths and various terraces from which to enjoy the outlook over the garden and for outdoor entertaining. The paddocks are well-tended with fencing and hedgerows along with further ponds and some light woodland. The outbuildings and paddocks, north of the property, are also accessible by a side lane belonging to the property”.
There is a secondary vehicular access from the side access lane under the ownership of the property.

Situation

In an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, The Moat lies just over a mile from the lovely village of Benenden and just over two miles from the charming town of Cranbrook. The larger town of Tenterden is about 6.5 miles, whilst the Royal Spa town of Tunbridge Wells with its nationally known stores, boutiques, theatres, restaurants, cafes and antique shops is approximately 16 miles away. Mainline trains to London and the ports can be found at Staplehurst, 8 miles away with joinery times to London Bridge from 51 minutes. The surrounding area boasts some of the best schools in the region, both state and independent at primary and secondary levels.
Agents’ Note The sale is subject to all and any easements, public and private rights of way. A public footpath crosses the paddocks lying to the north of the outbuildings.

Additional Information

Outbuildings at the property vary in style and are substantial, extending to in total over 29,000 square feet. Adjoining the moat to the west of the house is a five bay, English Heritage style, oak framed barn in the style of a coach house, which has covered parking for four vehicles together with storage and workshop as well as a large first floor – there is scope to provide ancillary accommodation to the main house, subject to all and necessary planning permissions. With access off the main drive and also via a secondary access from the lane, arranged around a large, open courtyard is an expanse of excellent outbuildings with a comprehensive security system installed and the potential for a variety of uses including stabling with an indoor school. At present arranged to provide storage and an entertaining area for family parties and gatherings, there are amusing murals of local villages and a marvellously evocative private bar which has been fully fitted.

Marketed by: Hamptons Sales, Tunbridge Wells