Location

This historic and popular village has been winner of 'Best Kept Village' on numerous occasions and also location set for the 1980 film The Mirror Crack'd based on the book by Agatha Christie and starring Elizabeth Taylor and Kim Novak. Local amenities include a Community village store with post office and two electric charging points, butchers, art gallery, a primary school, and three public houses including, on the outskirts, The Smarden Bell. The village also has its own football and cricket clubs, together with various social clubs and Smarden Good Neighbours Scheme.

Headcorn (3.8 miles) offers a wider range of shops, restaurants and takeaways and Sainsbury's store. The pretty town of Tenterden with its tree lined high street also has a range of antique shops and a steam railway. Major superstores and retail outlets can be found in Ashford and Maidstone 10.5 and 13 miles respectively.

There are a number of golf clubs including Chart Hills, Rye, Tenterden and Dale Hill in Ticehurst. Sailing and fishing at Bewl Water and riding, walking, mountain bike trails plus a climbing and activity centre in Bedgebury Forest and Pinetum.

Train services run to London from Headcorn and Pluckley (both just over 3.5 miles away) with access to London Victoria from Charing. A high speed train service runs between London St Pancras and Ashford (10.5 miles) in about 38 minutes.

Like many parts of Kent there are an excellent selection of schools in the area. In the state sector there are grammar schools for boys and girls in Ashford, Maidstone, Canterbury and Faversham, various local primary schools and in the private sector independent girl and boy's schools in Cranbrook, Hawkhurst, Ashford, Sutton Valence, Canterbury and Tonbridge.

Motorway Links: The M25 can be accessed via the M20 at junction 10 providing links to Gatwick and Heathrow airport and other motorway networks.

*All distance and travel times are approximate.

Description

The Thatched House, Smarden is a wonderful example of a 15th century timber framed, two bay hall house, which has been designated as a building of special architectural interest and historic note and Grade II* Listed. The property is set amidst well established gardens and grounds of just over 3 acres, and it features a detached two bedroom cottage, a pretty period party barn/gym of good proportions, an outdoor swimming pool, garaging for several cars and former stabling.

The internal accommodation retains a wealth of charm and character, with an abundance of exposed timbers and beams and Kingpost to the principal bedroom. Reception rooms include a formal dining room and a very well proportioned sitting/family room/snug with impressive inglenook fireplace, inset wood burning stove and a garden outlook to three aspects.

The kitchen/breakfast room was refitted in 2018 by Kitchens Unlimited with shaker-style cupboards, breakfast bar, an electric AGA, AEG electric oven, induction hob and integral dishwasher. There is space for a fridge/freezer. French doors open to the terrace. Off the kitchen there is a triple aspect study with adjoining store room and a utility/boot room, fitted to match the kitchen with space for freestanding appliances.

On the first and second floors, the impressive main bedroom is vaulted and features exposed beams and a fine Kingpost, it benefits from a dressing room and an en suite bathroom. There are three further bedrooms and a substantial attic bedroom five, all of which are served by a family shower room, and an en suite WC to bedroom two.

The Thatched House is approached via an electric wooden gate opening to a gravel drive and leading to an area of parking and turning and the detached garaging, suitable for a number of cars. Beyond this lies several stables, which are currently used for storage. The property nestles amidst attractive gardens with lawns interspersed with an array of seasonal shrubs, specimen trees, two ponds and a heated outdoor swimming pool with electric cover. Adjoining the gardens to the rear is a paddock.

A short distance from the house lies the excellent detached two bedroom single storey cottage, equipped with a fitted kitchen, shower room and sitting room. There is also a lovely timber framed barn which has been converted for recreational purposes, and currently serves as a gym/games room.

Directions

From Cranbrook proceed to Wilsley Pound roundabout and follow the A262 through Sissinghurst to Biddenden. In Biddenden turn left onto the A274 and after about 0.9 of a mile turn right into Smarden Road and proceed for about 2.3 miles, after the sharp left hand bend, The Thatched House will be found shortly on the left hand side.