Location

The Kentish villages of Pluckley (0.5 of a mile) and Bethersden (3.7 miles) have a variety of amenities including a post office/general store, primary school, village hall and several public houses. More extensive shopping, restaurants and leisure facilities can be found in Ashford (6.5 miles), a market town since medieval times, which offers a selection of shops, superstores, Ashford Designer Outlet and the Stour Leisure centre. The popular town of Tenterden (9.5 miles) also has a good range of local shops along its pretty tree lined High Street. There are Waitrose and Tesco supermarkets, public houses, coffee shops and restaurants together with independent boutiques and shops. About 19 miles away is the historic Cathedral city of Canterbury with boutique shops, art galleries, restaurants and cafes.

Fast and frequent services run from Pluckley (2.3 miles) to London Bridge, Waterloo and Charing Cross, with access to London Victoria from Charing. There is a high speed service from Ashford to London St Pancras in about 37 minutes.

There is an excellent selection of schools in both the state and private sectors at primary and secondary levels.

The M25 can be accessed via the M20 at junctions 8 or 9 providing links to Gatwick and Heathrow airports, the channel tunnel, Dover and other motorway networks.

*All distances and mileages are approximate

Description

Coming to the market for the first time in over 20 years, Garden House is a truly outstanding property, at the heart of which lies a handsome Grade II listed house with its Dering windows and Dutch gabled frontage, surrounded by the most magical secluded walled gardens and park-like grounds, which amount to just under 4 acres.

The house is believed to date from the early 19th century with later additions, although undocumented earlier origins are indicated, with the building taking its Dutch influence from the original Surrenden Dering family mansion that it was built to accompany. It was the gardener's cottage and together with its kitchen gardens it has evolved over the centuries into what it is today.   

Just under half a mile away lies the historic village of Pluckley which has a range of amenities and about two and half miles to the south west is Pluckley station with frequent services to London.

The internal accommodation incorporates sensitive and stylish 20th and 21st century additions including the orangery and the Pigeonnier, and is beautifully presented with vistas of the gardens from every room. Elegant reception rooms comprise a drawing room, an orangery with underfloor heating, both rooms having doors to the gardens, a sitting room and a formal dining room, perfect for formal entertaining.   

The kitchen is bespoke fitted by Thoroughly Wood, appliances include a mains gas AGA with electric module, an integral dishwasher and a corner fridge. Wide French doors open to the terrace and gardens. Off the kitchen there is a laundry room, a walk-in pantry with shelving and a shower room/WC. Stairs lead up to the Pigeonnier; a purpose-built study, with quality joinery, again all bespoke fitted by Thoroughly Wood.   

Completing the ground floor accommodation is a lovely guest bedroom suite, which is tucked away with its own private entrance and en suite bathroom. From the entrance hall, a cleverly concealed door opens with steps leading down to a useful cellar. On the first floor there are five bedrooms (one currently used as a study), all with fitted wardrobe cupboards and served by two bathrooms and a shower room, one being en suite to the principal bedroom.

Garden House is approached through electric double gates with the wide gravel drive flanked by mature yew and an avenue of Grayswood Ghost birch trees. The drive passes the old brick built forge, now a tandem garage with electric doors and winds around continuing past a further timber framed garage block, with garaging for three cars, a workshop, tool shed and wine store, arriving at turning circle to the front of the house, which enjoys a view over the park-like paddock with an avenue of six mature tulip trees, estate fencing and an orchard with quince, apple, pear and plum.

The glorious gardens and grounds extend to approximately 4 acres and are a breath-taking feature. They have been carefully planned and designed to incorporate structure whilst providing year round colour and interest. There are at least 21 different species of magnolia, established lime trees, ornamental ponds, yew topiary, parterres, a nuttery, wide herbaceous borders, pleached apples and pears, apricots and figs to name but a few.   

There are seasonal cutting and kitchen gardens, an elegant summerhouse by HSP Garden Buildings of Suffolk with sweeping lead roof and power connected, a pretty thatched gazebo, known as The Bus Stop, a cedar greenhouse with brick floor, power and water connected, a potting shed and a privy.

To the south west of the paddock are a further range of outbuildings, which include an oak framed machinery shed/log store, stable and store.

Directions

From the centre of Pluckley turn right into Swan Lane and after about 0.5 of a mile having passed Surrenden Road on the right, the entrance to Garden House will be found on the right.