10 bedroom house

A handsome mainly Georgian ten bedroom family home, with versatile outbuildings, attractive gardens and land.


Description

Ilex Farm is a handsome Grade II listed house of superb proportions, believed to date in part from the 18th century with later Victorian and Edwardian additions and having been updated by the current owners, including the installation of a new kitchen/breakfast room with underfloor heating, refitting of bath and shower rooms with contemporary white suites and internal redecoration.

This substantial family home, situated about 5 miles to the north west of the historic town of Rye, enjoys gardens and grounds of over 9 acres and benefits from an excellent range of pretty period outbuildings with immense potential, subject to the necessary planning consents.

The internal accommodation offers a great deal of versatility, with over 5,400 sq ft arranged over four floors including a cellar and boiler room which are accessed externally. Whilst the property has been updated, many period features remain including high ceilings to a number of rooms, decorative wall panels and stripped parquet flooring.
The light and airy reception rooms are of excellent proportions and all enjoy a southerly aspect with an outlook over the gardens.
The kitchen/breakfast room with limestone flooring, has a range of fitted cupboards and there is a useful larder. Appliances include a two oven gas fired Aga, Rangemaster oven, dishwasher and fridge/freezer. There is an adjoining utility room with freestanding white goods and off the rear hall a laundry room, boot room and cloakroom.
A wide staircase leads from the reception hall to the substantial first floor landing where lovely views over the garden can be enjoyed.
Over the first and second floors are ten bedrooms, including the principal bedroom which has a luxuriously appointed en suite bathroom with the remaining bedrooms being served by a further bathroom and shower room. One of the bedrooms is currently used as a home office/study.

Ilex Farm is approached via a gated driveway flanked by mature hedging and leading to the former stables and listed coach house which is utilised as garaging, log stores and general storage. The drive continues and culminates in a generous cobbled parking area to the front of the house.
The gardens and grounds stretch away from the house to the south and west, with expansive lawns interspersed with mature shrubs, fruit trees, deciduous and coniferous trees and a part walled rose garden. Abutting the gardens to the south and west is a field, enclosed by estate fencing and mixed hedging.

Location

Comprehensive shopping: Peasmarsh (3 miles) has a large superstore with post office and petrol station, village stores and various inns. There are other major superstores in Tenterden, Hastings and Tunbridge Wells.

Mainline rail services: to London Charing Cross and Cannon Street can be found at Robertsbridge and Headcorn stations. Trains to Gatwick airport are available from Tonbridge. Rye Station connects to Ashford where a high speed train service runs to London St Pancrain in about 37 minutes.

Primary schools: Beckley, Northiam and Sandhurst.
State secondary and grammar schools: Robertsbridge Community College, Rye College, Buckswood School and Homewood School, Tenterden. Private schools: Marlborough House, Dulwich Preparatory, Saint Ronan’s and Vinehall preparatory schools. Sutton Valence, Benenden School, Bethany School, Tonbridge, Kings Canterbury, Buckswood and Ashford School at senior level.

Leisure/sporting facilities: Golf Clubs in the area include: Rye (links), Tenterden, Littlestone (championship) and Dale Hill. Sailing and fishing at Rye and Bewl Water. Windsurfing at Camber and Greatstone. Riding, walking, mountain bike trails plus a climbing and activity centre in Bedgebury Forest and Pinetum.

Motorway links: The M25 via the A21 can be accessed at J5 and the M20 via J8 both providing links to Gatwick and Heathrow airport and other motorway networks.

Square Footage: 5,476 sq ft




Acreage: 9.16 Acres

Directions

From the centre of Hawkhurst head south through the villages of Sandhurst and Newenden. In Newenden pass over a narrow bridge with traffic lights at Newenden (5.3 miles). Continue along the A268, take the next left turn signed towards Rye and proceed for about 3 miles. At the mini roundabout continue straight over and the driveway to Ilex Farm is immediately on the right.

Marketed by: Savills, Cranbrook