Location

Northiam village has a good selection of local amenities, including a primary school, tea rooms, doctor's surgery and the renowned Great Dixter house and gardens. More extensive shopping and leisure facilities can be found in Tenterden, Hawkhurst and the charming historical cinque port of Rye.

Staplehurst and Etchingham stations have frequent services to London Charing Cross and Cannon Street. A high speed train service runs from Ashford to London St Pancras in about 37 minutes.

There is an excellent selection of schools in the area in both the state and private sectors, at all levels.

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

*All distances and measurements are approximate

Description

Situated within a High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Doucegrove Farm is a delightful Grade II listed thatched property of immense charm and character, nestling amidst beautiful gardens with indoor pool, a pentanque court, together with a field and belt of woodland to the south and western boundaries, in all amounting to approximately 16.9 acres.

The house is believed to date from the mid to late 15th century with later additions and, internally it retains many period features including; oak framed casement windows with leaded light panes, exposed timbers and beams, polished brick flooring to the hall, oak flooring to two reception rooms and limestone flooring to the kitchen/breakfast room and family room.

Attractive reception rooms include a well proportioned drawing room with an inglenook fireplace to one end and French doors to the other, a study/reception room with wood burning stove and an excellent oak framed family room with limestone flooring, electric under floor heating and direct garden access via two sets of French doors.

The adjoining kitchen/breakfast room is equipped with an extensive range of cupboards and French doors to the garden. Appliances include an oil fired two oven Aga, integral microwave, Combi oven, coffee machine and fridge/freezer. Completing the ground floor are the utility and boot rooms and a cloakroom is located off the entrance hall.

A turned staircase leads up to the first floor where the beautiful principal bedroom enjoys a lovely outlook over the gardens and benefits from a well appointed bathroom, a dressing area with built in cupboards and a walk in wardrobe with plenty of hanging and shelving. Two further bedrooms, one with an en suite bathroom and one with direct access to the main bedroom complete the first floor accommodation. The second floor is reached via a dividing oak staircase, where there are two attic bedrooms. Bedroom three is an impressive room featuring a vaulted ceiling and crown post, it incorporates cupboards, a bath, hand wash basin and separate WC, whilst bedroom four has a separate WC and basin.

Doucegrove Farm is approached via electric wrought iron gates which open to a parking and turning area and the detached thatched garaging to the north of the house. Of particular interest are the beautifully landscaped gardens providing a wonderful backdrop to the property. They include a generous terrace to the east, south and west elevations commanding lovely views over the gardens which include a sunken rose garden with ornamental pond, deep herbaceous borders, a kitchen garden and natural ponds. Fruit trees include varieties of apple, pear, plum, quince, mulberry and greengage whilst throughout the garden there is an array of specimen trees and evergreen hedging. Recreational facilities include an indoor heated pool with floor to ceiling glass doors and a petanque court.

Adjoining the gardens is a field which is down to grass together with an area of woodland underplanted with bluebells. Additional vehicular access can be gained via double timber gates to a generous parking and turning area.

Outbuildings include a thatched triple garage, a pool house, a sauna house with shower and pool equipment, greenhouses, potting shed and a barn with garaging, workshop and log store.

Directions

From Hawkhurst head southbound on the A268 and A28 passing through the villages of Sandhurst and Newenden. On reaching the village of Northiam proceed through the centre and continue on the A28 for about 2.5 miles, then turn left into Rocks Hill. After 0.1 of a mile turn left signposted Doucegrove Lane, Private 'No Through' road, Doucegrove Farm will be found shortly on the right hand side.