Land for sale

In a wonderful location on the edge of the historic village of Penshurst, Old Swaylands is a marvellously evocative country property enjoying stunning views across its own land towards the River Medway and beyond. With origins dating back to the fifteenth century and Listed Grade II*, the house is formed of a former hall house – reputedly constructed as a Tudor dower house – with an adjoining barn and oast and has versatile accommodation arranged over two floors around three separate staircases. There is a wealth of period detailing including a majestic Crown Post in the Great Hall, beautiful oak beams, oak flooring, oak thumb latch doors and leaded light casement windows in oak frames, from which there are superb views. The principal reception areas are particularly impressive highlighting the architectural detailing. The Great Hall is an extraordinary space with a double height, vaulted ceiling, exposed timbers and a brick fireplace with canopy, opening through to the snug which has a wood burning stove. The dining room has a wonderful outlook over the rear garden and an ornamental fireplace, whilst the cosy sitting room is triple aspect with views over the gardens and features an inglenook fireplace with oak bressumer and wood burning stove and a study also enjoys a dual aspect and a fireplace. Incorporated in to the adjoining roundels and barn is further family living space along with a games room. The kitchen has a double aspect with doors opening to the rear gardens and is fitted with a comprehensive range of cabinetry with a matching island unit, larder cupboard, granite work surfaces, whilst appliances include an oil fired four oven Aga. The adjacent breakfast room provides a space for informal dining and has lovely views over the grounds.
There are seven/eight bedrooms are laid out over the first floor in three separate areas, each accessed by its own staircase. From the Great Hall, an oak staircase leads to a minstrel’s gallery and the guest suite which has a characterful bedroom with adjoining dressing room and a bathroom with roll-top bath. Elsewhere two bedrooms both have en suite shower rooms, and accessed by a stair case from the side hall, is a wide landing with two bedrooms within the roundels, a bathroom, a large double bedroom with vaulted ceiling, fitted wardrobes and an adjacent shower room. A studio/bedroom has a kitchenette and an en-suite bathroom.
Outside

The house is approached over a driveway which sweeps past the front gardens to the front of the house, providing ample parking, continuing on to the cottage and barn beyond. The lovely gardens are a wonderful feature of the property providing privacy and seclusion as well as a marvellous frame for the countryside beyond. To the front is an area of formal lawn with a knot garden featuring slate shingle paths, specimen shrubs, weeping pear trees and rose beds. The lawn continues to the side of the house, where a circular flowerbed is located together with silver birch and evergreen hedges to the perimeter. An established yew hedge divides the side garden from the rear where there is a croquet lawn with colourful herbaceous beds. To the rear is a terrace, providing an excellent spot for taking in the views and watching the wildlife around the pond. Features include weeping ash trees, a lawn peppered with trees and shrubs, a charming arbour adorned with roses and clematis, whilst to the far side is an orchard. The main feature of the rear garden is a large pond, with islands featuring weeping willows and a variety of aquatic planting. There are three fields, two of which bound the River Medway, where the property retains fishing rights. In total these field amount to about 24.25 acres (9.81 hectares). Outbuildings include an integral garage with an adjacent workshop and two substantial barns, one of which is enclosed, the second has open bays.
The Cottage is an attractive single story with accommodation including a vaulted reception room with well-fitted kitchen, two bedrooms and two bathrooms together with a gym, sauna and shower.

Situation

Old Swaylands is located on the edge of the picturesque and historic village of Penshurst, known for its associations with the Tudor court and Penshurst Place, church, tea rooms, doctor’s surgery, garage and Post Office. More extensive facilities can be found at Sevenoaks or Tonbridge. There are excellent schools in area, including primary schools in Penshurst and Fordcombe, along with prep schools in Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge. Senior schools include grammar schools in Tonbridge, Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells along with Sevenoaks and Tonbridge public schools. There are mainline stations at Tonbridge, Hildenborough and Sevenoaks with trains to London Bridge, Charing Cross and Cannon Street.

Additional Information

Services: Oil CH/HW; Mains electricity and water; LPG for cooking; Private drainage.
Tenure: Freehold
Local Authority: Sevenoaks District Council; Tax Band H

Marketed by: Hamptons Sales, Tunbridge Wells