Dockenden

The property comprises a wonderful Grade II listed house believed to date back to the mid-17th century, boasting a wealth of period features and offering well-proportioned family accommodation with excellent ceiling heights.

The characterful living/dining room is triple aspect and has exposed beams and an attractive inglenook fireplace. A door leads through to the sitting room which is also triple aspect and enjoys views over the beautiful gardens and paddocks beyond. The kitchen/breakfast room has a range of fitted wall and base units. There is a useful utility room off the kitchen with a door to the outside as well as a ground floor shower room.

From the living room, stairs lead up to the first floor landing which provides access to the four bedrooms and shower room. There is also a 'jack and jill' bathroom accessed by two of the bedrooms.

NB: The current owners have superfast internet connection via the Starlink Space X satellite.

Outside , the property occupies an absolutely beautiful and tranquil private position, being the only property in Hemsted Forest. The house is approached over a private road (approximately half a mile long) leading to the house which is surrounded by its own land.

The beautiful formal gardens surrounding the house have an abundance of mature trees, shrubs and plants. The gardens have been lovingly created by the current family to include well-stocked flower borders and formal gardens split into various sections including pathways through an amazing selection of acers down to the wooded area. There is also a vegetable garden.

In addition to the main residence there is a large detached barn/secure garden machinery store which could provide ancillary accommodation, subject to obtaining the necessary planning consents. There are various other outbuildings including a machine store with attached workshop, open barn, wood store, pony stable, feed store and a number of field shelters. Beyond the gardens there are various paddocks, all of which are stock-fenced and set up in a well-configured and flexible equestrian/livestock layout with mains fed water troughs. There are also areas of bluebell woods/woodland and in all the property extends to 15.28 acres.

Benenden 2 miles. Cranbrook 4 miles, Tenterden 6.75 miles, Staplehurst station 8.2 miles (London Bridge from 51 minutes), Etchingham station 11 miles (London Bridge from 65 minutes), Rye 16 miles, Maidstone 16.3 miles, Ashford 17 miles (London St Pancras 36 minutes), Tunbridge Wells 18 miles, London 53 miles. (All times and distances approximate)

The property sits centrally within its grounds in a truly tranquil and idyllic location in the heart of Hemsted Forest which extends to almost 1000 acres and is managed by the Forestry Commission. Nearby is the popular village of Benenden which provides for all the usual daily needs with its post office/shop/cafe, butcher, two inns, delightful parish church, village hall, primary school, world renowned private secondary school and village green. The nearby towns of Cranbrook and Tenterden, with their picturesque High Streets, offer a wider range of quality shops, restaurants, banks, supermarkets and a leisure centre at Tenterden. Comprehensive facilities are available in Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone and Ashford. Staplehurst station provides a mainline commuter service to London.

There is an excellent choice of state and private schools in the area including Benenden School for Girls, Dulwich Preparatory at Cranbrook, St Ronan's and Marlborough House at Hawkhurst, Bethany at Goudhurst, Mayfield School (girls), and the property sits within the Cranbrook School catchment area.

Leisure facilities in the area include golf at a number of courses; tennis at nearby Iden Green; sailing and fishing at Bewl Water and on the south coast; walking and off-road cycling at Hemsted Forest and Bedgebury.

Marketed by: Knight Frank, Tunbridge Wells