What an absolute delight this classic, Kentish, country cottage is....standing proud, in all its detached glory, affronting open green spaces, and rolling Kentish countryside, this home offers peace and tranquillity but within a strong rural community. A stones throw from the local pub and playing fields, and under two miles from Charing Village centre. The house is filled with turn of the century charm and character with open fires, and sociable living spaces. Refurbished five years ago with beautiful finishes that deliver modern convenience with a sympathetic nod to the past. Georgian style sash windows, old style radiators and vintage walnut toggle wall switches are just a few examples of the attention to detail that has been bestowed upon this property.... lets take a descriptive tour...

(Please quote ref: SD1012 when enquiring)

You can pull up on the formerly gated driveway alongside the house. The property stands imposingly to your right, all four floors of it. And running alongside, to your left is the 50ft long, single story outbuilding. The front half of this original pitched roof building has been beautifully converted into additional accommodation and has been used as a music therapy room/office, with its own separate WC. The remaining half of the building currently provides useful workshop space and outdoor storage, but it's very easy to visualise the potential here for converting the full extent of the building. It could potentially provide a wonderful self contained detached annex, or additional office/studio space - subject to the necessary planning consents.

Approaching the house from the side, up the steps and around to the front entrance porch with its apex roof and quaint little windows one to each side, you can sense the warmth and character of the house before you even open the front door. The part-glazed, solid wood door opens into the LOUNGE and features a brick built open fireplace with fully functioning wood burner with brick hearth front and centre as you walk in. The large 3/4 height Georgian style sash windows to the front of this house mean this space is bathed in natural light and open to the DINING AREA on the opposite side of the room. This space reciprocates the same large Georgian style sash window and exposed brick built fireplace. In fact, the majority of the ground floor of this home is a wonderfully sociable space with an open flow from these two reception areas at the front, to the delightful farmhouse style kitchen/breakfast room at the back of the house and the fully glazed French doors directly out to the gardens beyond. There's a strong sense of balance and symmetry in the way these spaces connect together, all linked throughout with their warmth and the authenticity of their finishes. Stripped wood doors, wooden skirtings and floorboards and exposed brickwork in abundance. If you're after a quintessential country cottage style interior, Pond House has it.

As you face the rooms at the back of the house, the wide staircase leading to the upper floors takes centre stage. To the left of this, two steps down lead you into the UTILITY ROOM with its traditional wood panelled stable door frames open views of the garden and the paved courtyard and terrace area. The classic dark blue AGA with its twin hotplates, is nestled snugly into the brick built chimney breast wall and commandeers the room. Flagstone flooring, butler sink and solid wooden worktops reinforce the bygone feel and functionality of this space...but yet again, the finishes in this room are reassuringly modern and packed with practicality. A pretty little window above the sink welcomes in the natural light and peeks over to the outbuilding and side access to the house. No muddy boot or paw prints necessary in this home - welly walkers are warmly welcomed home by the warmth of the AGA, and the simplicity of a good rinse off in the Butler's sink!

Back out of the utility and tucked behind the stairs you'll find the DOWNSTAIRS W/C. As you'd expect, this little space is well kitted out with traditional style WC, ceramic sink and vanity unit, and you'll also find access from here down to the lower ground floor. The CELLAR of this property enjoys full head height (to those who are around 5ft 7" like me, at least) and great size, useful space. But this is a traditional 'wet cellar'. Centuries ago Georgian basements were crafted to handle and utilise these dark damp spaces to their natural advantage. This house was built around 1900 and the design of this cellar reflects its builders deep understanding of water and air. Contrary to modern building methods, the use of thick brick or stone walls, lime mortars, and clever air ventilating let moisture and water move in and out without damage. Traditionally, this space would have provided natural refrigeration space, perfect for storing cured meats hanging from hooks, cheeses, bottled beverages like wine, beer and cider. Testament to the theory that this is a perfectly functioning and usable wet cellar, it's now the property's 'utilities nerve-centre' housing the boiler, water tank and consumer unit. The current owners also use the space as general storage.

Back up to the ground floor, you can't help but be drawn towards this property's fabulous KITCHEN/BREAKFAST ROOM. Focused around a central island/breakfast bar and with French doors opening directly out to the garden this is a wonderful, sociable and well connected space. From the flagstone flooring to the solid wood worktops and shaker style units, this kitchen is the heart and the jewel in the crown of this home. In perfect harmony with the finishes throughout the rest of the house, this room showcases how cleverly traditional style and contemporary convenience have been married together to create impressive and welcoming settings. The SMEG range style cooker takes centre stage in its candy-popping pastel green shade! The matching pastel green SMEG fridge balances these two strong pops of colour across the room (both items not included but possibly available by separate negotiation). The traditional style butler sink sits comfortably positioned under the kitchen window with leafy views out to the side. Ample runs of solid wood workspace provide plenty of room for rustling up chefy delights, and the central island provides even further work and sociable space. Open shelving adds personality and culinary convenience, and the vintage style wall wights, on their braided cables, add warmth and charm. What a brilliant space to cook, chat, eat, drink and enjoy - together.

We'll step up out of the kitchen now and head up the central stairscase to the first floor....past the cute little two-paned window on the landing, with its solid wooden sill, and on to the FAMILY BATHROOM. What a beautiful space. The solid wood panelled door opens to a well thought out union of old meets new. This is an exceptionally appealing and luxurious bathroom....it's located at the back of the house and offers views over the back garden and beyond.... it's claw-footed rolltop tub looks authentic and inviting. And, of course, the separate walk-in shower at the opposite end of the room enjoys externally positioned controls to maximise the impact of its climate controlled overhead rain shower. The traditional Victorian style washstand houses a white ceramic sink and suits the room perfectly, what a wonderful place to relax and unwind.

Onwards to BEDROOMS 1 & 2, both positioned at the front of the house and therefore enjoying those gorgeous 3/4 height Georgian sash windows and delightful views out over the Kentish countryside beyond. Green spaces and the occasional distant Alpaca and horses roaming the paddocks of the farm opposite are a delightful joy! BEDROOM 1 is generous and light-filled, with a cast iron feature fireplace and hearth. It has a range of fitted wardrobes and storage neatly tucked into its hidden staircase.... Narnia-like....you'd never know it was there! If you open what looks like a fitted wardrobe door, you're unexpectedly dowsed in natural light which suddenly streams in from the property's central first-floor window and exclusively lights a winding wooden staircase. Is this the way to Narnia? You would be forgiven for thinking so! It's actually a hidden second staircase that winds its way up to the bedrooms on the second floor!

Let's step across the landing into BEDROOM 2 which mirrors bedroom 1 with its light filled airiness thanks to its gorgeous Georgian sash window, and feature cast iron fireplace and hearth and is similarly generous in size. Directly opposite bedrooms 1 & 2 is the SHOWER ROOM and the official staircase leading up to the second floor. The shower room is a cleverly laid out space incorporating a skylight within the double ceiling height directly above the walk in shower, filling it with fabulous natural light. A small ceramic hand wash basin sits neatly over a fitted vanity unit and the WC is tucked around the corner with sweet little double paned window above. The last bedroom on this floor is BEDROOM 3 which again is a light, bright and airy space. Double aspect with views out to the back and the side.

Finally we head up the official staircase up to the second floor. This floor presents an intriguing and super quirky configuration of spaces...At the top of the stairwell, a pair of double pane windows draw in the natural light, and a wooden panelled door opens to the first of three versatile and interconnected rooms. The first space is filled with natural light from a slim 3/4 height window with views over the garden. The current owners use this space as a DRESSING AREA and two steps up then lead you through to the second space which forms the first of two attic bedrooms on this floor. There's something slightly magical about sleeping under cosy eaves, particularly when this room (BEDROOM 4) has the sweetest little window extending views out over the garden and countryside beyond. Hopping across the landing the second of the attic rooms (BEDROOM 5) is directly opposite and is almost a mirror image of its neighbour. The same little window on the apex wall brings in the light and the views. And as if the Alice-in-Wonderland vibes weren't tingling enough, there's just a little bit more magic to come...the landing between the two attic rooms forms the top of the secret windy staircase. Wooden stairs lead directly down towards the central 3/4 height Georgian window which fills the stairwell, before curving round and opening into Bedroom 1 on the first floor! How many different ways could you imagine using up to 6 potential bedrooms, playrooms, dens, hobby rooms, teenage hang outs, office spaces - across two floors, linked by two separate staircases? The possibilities are endless....!

So we've toured the inside.....let's see if the outside of, Pond House matches up. I think it does. For starters, there's the 50ft OUTBULIDING, half of which has been beautifully converted into a music room/studio/office space with vaulted ceiling, skylights and its own separate WC. This is a great size space perfect for anyone working from home or looking for detached studio style space. The remaining half of the outbuilding is used as storage and workshop space, but I could see potential buyers being inspired to convert the entire building into further ancillary accommodation. It would seem to lend itself perfectly as a separate Annex, for today's multi-generational families, subject to the necessary consents.

GARDENS Pond House sits towards the front of its plot meaning the back gardens are very generous. There is a paved terrace and outdoor entertaining area directly off the back of the house framed by a low dwarf wall. The remainder of the gardens are laid to lawn and enclosed by mature hedging trees and shrubs. Private and secluded the outside space here is more than big enough to host family parties and games in the garden. And of course, Pond House couldn't be Pond House without its own pond which sits at the bottom of the garden. The rear boundary also has a set of wooden double gates and separate vehicular access to the rear of the property is available. There's plenty of potential here to add a garage or carport at the bottom of the garden without really impacting on the outdoor space. (STPP) (Please quote ref: SD1012 when enquiring)

LOCATION - Pond house is set in Charing Heath a small village hamlet, close to the neighbouring villages of Charing, and Lenham and approximately 8 miles from the town of Ashford. It's in the heart of the Kentish countryside surrounded by beautiful green spaces and a network of footpaths and bridleways. The Red Lion pub is less than a five minute walk up the road, as is the local recreation ground and playground. There's a small farm almost opposite the house and a variety of animals from Alpacas, horses and ponies can be seen roaming the paddocks in the distance. The villages of Charing and Lenham are both approximately 2/3 miles away and have plenty of amenities - shops, hairdressers, bars and pubs as well as primary schools and libraries. Charing Heath is a peaceful location but still with a strong sense of community and well positioned for the major towns of Ashford and Maidstone. Ashford boasts the International Station with HiSpeed links to London St. Pancras within 37 minutes as well as designer shopping at the McArthur Glen Designer Outlet Centre.

Detached House in Ashford