This beautiful barn conversion, cleverly balances impressive grandeur, with warmth and comfort, in equal measures. It’s not often a home can knock your socks off with wow factor the moment you walk in the door - and then see you cosied up on the sofa, in snug, sociable spaces that are high on comfort, but lower on ceiling height. South Barn is steeped in history. Its exposed and honest structure fills the house with rustic but elegant charm. Those glorious beams wrap themselves around you with earthy reassurance - this house is full of warmth, pride and absolute delight. And its historic nature has lent itself surprisingly well to modern day living. The ground floor of the house provides open plan kitchen, living, dining zones that are superbly connected and characterfully defined. This is easy, sociable, family living at its finest.

And the indoors extend seamlessly outdoors across the kitchen gardens to the side of the property. Private and secluded, this outdoor area provides entertaining space on the patio, under the pergola - constructed from weathered, reclaimed timbers, and heavily draped in glorious Wisteria through the merry month of May.

The garden boundaries are formed by the house itself, mature hedging and trees, and the Cart Shed Annex. Antique brick paved pathways wind their way along the flower borders and lawned area leading you either back into the kitchen, directly into the Annex, down to the potting shed, or around to the front of the house. This is wonderful, enclosed and secure outside space, perfect for hosting friends and family. And in stark contrast to the rolling three acres of paddock, orchard and woodland that also come with this house. These lie opposite the driveway under the watchful eye of the front of the house. But we’ll save our descriptive ramble around this part of the grounds until later. I was always taught to save the best till last and leave on a high, and for me, the land that accompanies this house is exactly that.

So, back inside, through the kitchen door…. we have the kitchen zone to our left, open to the lounge area on our right, and the dining area and ground floor bedrooms wing beyond. As I can’t emphasise enough, the open plan flow of this house is superb. Please quote REF: SD1012 when enquiring.

THE KITCHEN delivers, exactly as you would expect. Designed around its central island, its square layout makes it a highly practical and very workable space. With a range of traditional painted wood, shaker style base units, solid wood worktops, classic butler sink and range style cooker - it’s wholesome yet stylish and perfectly in keeping with the house. Two delightful windows welcome in the natural light and extend views to the front and over the garden to the side.

THE LOUNGE (first of two, welcome to the ‘downstairs lounge’)…the current owners have this area arranged in a very comfortable configuration, with sofas and an armchair that are set up together in natural conversation. And not only with each other, but with the wider context of the room. As you settle in on the sofas to chat, around the coffee table, you can still be in conversation with the cooks in the kitchen, or whoever is first up at the dining table (or last out!).
And…from here, you are perfectly placed for access to the COFFEE STATION cubby which is quietly tucked away in the BACK KITCHEN/UTILITY. This room is the perfect practical back up for this house. With space for washing machine, tumble dryer, American style fridge, floor to ceiling storage cupboards, sink and additional worktop space. Front and back of house - all bases are now covered.

Now let’s head out to the DINING AREA. Front and centre as you enter this house. It’s the first thing you see. Framed and softened by the ceiling of the galleried landing above, but definitely best placed to embrace the grandeur and expanse of the barn’s vaulted, and impressive entrance hall. With space to comfortably seat upwards of 8 for dinner, this area has the capacity to be a total dinner party showstopper. But it’s also sufficiently grounded to host a traditional and laid-back Sunday roast for all the family. The current owners have covered the whole dining and partying spectrum during their 24 years in residence!

We should take a moment before heading to the quieter bedroom wing of the house, to appreciate the beauty of this ENTRANCE HALL. Impressive feels like an understatement. Double height and flooded with natural light, this grand entrance introduces you to the exposed wooden beams and raw rhythmic structure of this home. It feels strong and reassuring - full of warmth and character. Also perfect for the biggest Christmas tree ever!! Well, at least a 12-footer!

So, heading to the opposite side of the house where we have THREE DOUBLE BEDROOMS, one with ENSUITE SHOWER ROOM and a DOWNSTAIRS BATHROOM. Each of these rooms, feel cosy and welcoming, partly down to their standard ceiling heights, but also the prevalence of each one's feature structural beam or two. And, that comforting knowledge that these walls probably aren't square and that's what makes them so special. There's nothing boxy about these bedrooms.

The rooms on this side of the house are connected by a wide, comfortable lounging area, with a window overlooking the front of the house. The current owners have embraced this space by carpeting it and filling it with a sofa, shelving, desks and further seating. It feels like somewhere you'd want to spend calm and quiet downtime, together with little ones before they head off into their individual but neighbouring bedrooms...Alternatively, for grown up guests, this area is almost the guest wing, providing bedrooms, bathrooms and a relaxing lounge space too.

FIRST FLOOR

Ascending the dog-leg staircase to the first floor landing of South Barn, is a joy. From halfway up, you're treated to an ariel view of the open plan ground floor living space. You can fully appreciate how seamlessly each area relates to the others. And as you reach the top, you're in the apex of this vaulted ceiling and closer to those gorgeous earthy beams. The wide GALLERIED LANDING puts you right in the centre of the house treats you to spectacular views through a picture window, directly across the front gardens, and over to the paddock. Comfortable seating spots across the landing make this a superb viewing gallery where you can take in the fabulous external, as well as internal vistas. As the landing wraps itself around the first floor in a u-shape, you get glimpses of the kitchen and dining areas below but find yourself totally drawn towards the SECOND LOUNGE on one side of this first floor. The wood burner takes centre stage here giving, relaxed and totally chilled-out 'vibes'. The current owners have filled this space with big 'squashy' sofas, an oversized coffee table, throws and cushions. This is where you celebrate nights in on the sofa. Or it's the break-out room in the throws of the party going on below, or just the best place to recline after dinner and see in the early hours...

Across on the opposite side of the landing, we have the MAIN PRINCIPAL BEDROOM with its three quarter height fitted wardrobes which double as a wall divider. Discreetly tucked behind is the super quirky ENSUITE BATHROOM, with a contemporary but classic, boutique bath tub, WC and hand wash basin. If you want to fully appreciate this ingenious set up, you'll just have to come and see it for yourself, as I can't find the words to articulate this layout - it's certainly quirky! There's also a FURTHER BEDROOM on this floor, which is bathed in natural light thanks to its roof light widow, which frames leafy green views of the paddock and countryside beyond.

THE ANNEX

As you head towards the house, to your left is a very pretty flint and antique brick built, single storey 'cottage'. This is the former Cart Shed, which has been converted into ancillary accommodation. The current owners have divided the internal space to create an office, with storage in the roof space above on one side, and a one-bedroom, self-contained apartment on the other. They successfully AirB&B the accommodation and enjoy many regular returning guests. There is the possibility of opening up the two sides to form a bigger living space, or provide useful set up for buyers looking for their own, future proof, multi-generational living options.

THE LAND

Let's wander now from the front of the house, following the brick paved pathway, past The White Garden (designed by Kent based topiarist and artist Charlotte Moleswoth, and featuring an array of landscaped white flora and fauna - apart from the odd, nature sprinkled colourful rogue!) directly across the gravelled parking area (for 3/4 cars), and over to the wooden 5-bar gate. And then - there it is.... a beautiful open green space flanked by woodland to one side and a small, chestnut post and rail outlined, Orchard to the other. There's approximately 3 acres here and a wealth of possibilities - perhaps for a future menagerie - the current owners have explored the idea of introducing Alpacas here (sounds like a brilliant idea to me - as long as they got along with my donkeys, chickens and goats!). Or, subject to necessary permissions, I can imagine a handful of Shepherds Huts, or glamping, a wellness retreat... the owners have hosted their own festival-style parties on the land and often use it for additional parking when they have family gatherings at home.

LOCATION

South Barn is part of a small converted Farmstead and stands surrounded by 'England's green and pleasant land' with beautiful countryside on its doorstep, and horses grazing in the neighbouring fields. Set on the rural fringes of the village of Charing which has all the everyday essentials such as a village stores, Drs Surgery and primary school. The town of Ashford is around 15 minutes away with its High Speed Rail Links to London St. Pancras, Designer Shopping and various leisure and retail parks. You also have Maidstone, Canterbury and Faversham within 30 minutes and the Kent coast around 40 minutes drive.

SUMMARY

The current family have loved living here for the past twenty four years. They were the first 'human' inhabitants to take up residency in the barn following its conversion by renowned, historic buildings developers Cox Renovations in 2002. The family have embraced and respected the beauty of this bygone building and the lifestyle it's allowed them to live. It's naturally open plan layout lends itself perfectly to easy modern day family living and with the addition of its ancillary accommodation and land - this home is going to be hard to beat. Please quote REF: SD1012 when enquiring.

Detached House in Ashford