* Rural Setting
* Detached
* Freehold
* Handsome Listed mansion of quality
* Marvellous marriage of contemporary and period detailing
* Indoor swimming pool
* Detached cottage
* Exceptional garaging
* Edge of village location
* Approx 6. 4 acres in total.
Sitting within sight of the church and at the edge of the village, The Old
Palace is a Grade II* Listed country house which is rich in architectural
historic interest, but which was the subject of a comprehensive programme of
refurbishment and updating, several years ago. With origins dating back to
medieval times, the site had been used by Arch Bishops of Canterbury as a
stopping off point on their journeys to and from Canterbury. The present house
is an amalgam of styles through the centuries and displays architectural
detail from the fourteenth century through to the twenty first. Coursed
ragstone external elevations under a pitched tile roof with some windows
dating to the sixteenth century, medieval oak floor boards and inglenook
fireplaces together with exposed timbers and oak latched doors are some of the
aged features remaining. Twenty first century attributes include complete re
wiring, new plumbing, a ground source heating system and a Control4 home
automative system. Oak floors have been laid with light wells incorporated
into two landings allowing for natural light to flood down through the levels.
Programmable lighting by Philips Dynamite has been wired throughout and there
is a media system installed in the media room on the second floor. There are
oak internal doors and glazed balustrading to one of the staircases.
Accommodation in the main house is arranged over three floors using two
staircases, one at either end. Reception rooms all have a character of their
own, whether it is historic or contemporary and the styling is sophisticated.
The kitchen/breakfast room has been furnished by Smallbone of Devizes and
includes a four oven gas fired Aga, Gaggenau ovens, fridge freezer and further
appliances, whilst the study, laundry room, master bedroom and dressing room
have been fitted out by Chambers cabinet makers. Bedrooms are generous and
include two with en suite facilities. All sanitary ware and fittings are from
Villeroy and Boch.
The superb Leisure
**Outside**
The Old Palace is positioned centrally within its gardens and has the benefit
of views across adjoining countryside. Approached via an imposing pair of
stone pillars and an electric gate, the house is set at the end of a sweeping
drive leading to a large parking area in front of the detached six bay garage
block. The Cottage is very attractive and fitted out to the same standard as
the house. There is a good sized reception room with a fireplace and a fitted
kitchen with space for a table and chairs. There are two bedrooms on the first
floor with a bathroom and a shower room on the ground floor.
There are sweeping lawns interspersed with mature trees, fruit trees and
flowering shrubs, whilst a kitchen garden has a greenhouse and is bounded by
mature hedges. A Summer House has wc facilities and is ideal for a barbeque.
In total the grounds and paddocks extend to in excess of six acres.
**Situation**
While offering the generosity of land, The Old Palace is actually a village
house sitting alongside the church and a short walk of the charming local
shops and hostelries. More comprehensive shopping is available in the nearby
towns of Sevenoaks or Tonbridge with rail access to London Victoria from
Borough Green & Wrotham station about 1. 3 miles from the house and good road
communications via the A20 and M20/M26 Junction 2a providing access to London
and the airports.
There is an excellent choice of good schools in the area including Sevenoaks
School, Judd, Tonbridge Grammar School for Girls, St Michaels Prep School,
Ightham Primary School and Wrotham School. Besides the walking and outdoor
opportunities afforded by its location, recreational facilities in the area
include Wrotham Cricket Club, The London Golf Club, Wrotham Heath Golf Club
and Brands Hatch, as well as a variety of tennis, rugby and hockey clubs.
**Additional Information**
Tenure: Freehold
Services: Mains water and electricity; heating and hot water via a 30kw nibe
ground source heat pump; private drainage.
Local Authority: Tonbridge and Malling District Council
Band H

Property location on the map: Use mouse double click to (Zoom IN: LEFT button; Zoom OUT: RIGHT button)

Similar properties: