Birling, West Malling, Kent, ME19

Elegant Regency house of superb proportions, set in magnificent grounds of 4 acres, on the edge of the picturesque village of Birling.

Description

Langold House is an elegant, classic Regency residence of immense character, history and charm, believed to date from 1817 when it was constructed to serve as a rectory for the Earl of Abergavenny, and later enlarged by his son in 1865 and hosting visits from royalty, offering well-proportioned accommodation retaining charming period features combined with contemporary embellishments. Salient points include a bespoke kitchen by Roundhouse, stylish bathroom suites, multi pane sash windows, dado rails, decorative cornicing, attractive feature fireplaces, a sweeping principal staircase with an oak handrail, and decorative radiator covers. Also of note is the impressive ancillary accommodation, together with the established gardens and grounds, incorporating a swimming pool and tennis court.

Langold House

The superb principal reception rooms comprises a spectacular drawing room with a feature fireplace and a wide bay to the side with doors opening to the Italian garden, a library/dining room with attractive views to the south and built-in shelving and cupboards to either side of the fireplace, a sitting room with access to the kitchen/ dining room and a family room.

The bespoke kitchen by Roundhouse is fitted with a comprehensive range of contemporary wall and base units with integral appliances including a Wolf cooker, and a central island unit with a breakfast bar and doors opening to the terrace. A utility room provides additional storage and space for appliances.

There is a well-appointed study and two cloakrooms complete the ground floor.

Arranged over the lower ground floor is the most impressive games room with an adjoining wine store with a glass divider and fitted furnishings.

From the entrance hall the sweeping staircase rises to the first floor and double aspect principal bedroom suite with built-in wardrobes and an impressive en suite bathroom.

There are seven further bedrooms, two served by Jack and Jill bathrooms, and five with en suite shower/bathrooms.

Arranged over the entirety of the second floor and completing the accommodation is a spacious and versatile recreation room, a bedroom and bathroom.

The Coach House

The Coach House has been stylishly converted by the current owners to provide superb ancillary accommodation with an excellent finish, briefly comprising a double aspect sitting room with French doors opening to the garden, a contemporary kitchen fitted with a range of wall and base units with an island incorporating a breakfast bar and doors leading the front and side terrace, a cloakroom and coats cupboard, and two double bedrooms, one with a stylish en suite shower room and walk-through dressing room and one served by a stylish bathroom with a freestanding copper bath.

Gardens & Grounds

Langold House is approached over a long sweeping gravel drive with electrically operated wrought iron gates. The drive is flanked on both sides by wide areas of lawn, and leads to the front and side of the house where there is ample parking.

The impressive, established gardens are a particularly attractive feature of the property and are predominantly laid to lawn with many varieties of trees and shrubs including cedar, oak, horse chestnut, sweet chestnut and beech. To one side of the house is an Italian garden enclosed by a pillared balustrade and featuring paved and gravel paths with beds stocked with olive trees and roses edged with box hedging.

On the opposite side of the house is a terraced area with flower beds, both providing excellent opportunities for al fresco entertaining.

A gravel path leads to the swimming pool complex featuring a heated swimming pool, pump house and excellent summerhouse with shower, W.C., and kitchenette with drinks fridge. To the side of the swimming pool area is a hard tennis court and on from there are two small paddocks and a mobile stable block, comprising two loose boxes and a tack/feed store. To the far boundary is a pond with aquatic planting and as a whole the grounds provide a high degree of privacy and seclusion.

Location

Langold House is located on the edge of the picturesque village of Birling with its church and public house. The attractive town of West Malling has many good cafes and restaurants, and Kings Hill provides a Waitrose supermarket.

Comprehensive Shopping: Maidstone (7 miles), Sevenoaks (13 miles) Bluewater.

Mainline Rail Services: West Malling (3.5 miles) to London Bridge (from 44 minutes)/Charing Cross/Victoria. Ebbsfleet International (12 miles). Sevenoaks (13.3 miles).

Primary Schools: Ryarsh & Offham.

Grammar Schools: Maidstone Boys & Girls, Tonbridge & Tunbridge Wells Girls Grammar, Judd in Tonbridge & Tunbridge Wells Boys Grammar & Skinners in Tunbridge Wells.

Private Schools: The Preparatory Schools at Somerhill. Hilden Grange and Hilden Oaks Preparatory School in Tonbridge. Tonbridge and Sevenoaks Public Schools. Sackville School in Hildenborough. New Beacon in Sevenoaks. Sutton Valence. Kings in Canterbury.

Leisure Facilities: Golf Courses at Kings Hill, Addington, Chart Sutton , The London Club and several in the general Sevenoaks area. David Lloyd Fitness & Leisure Centre in Kings Hill. A host of local cricket & football clubs. Brands Hatch motor circuit. Local equestrian facilities plus field sports.

Communications: Excellent access to the motorway network at Leybourne onto the M20, connecting to the M25 for Gatwick and Heathrow Airports. The adjoining road networks offer links to London, Canary Wharf, the Dartford River Crossing, Bluewater Shopping Centre and the South Coast. There is also convenient road access to Channel Tunnel Terminus at both Ashford International Station and Ebbsfleet International Station with high speed rail services into central London (including Stratford for the 2012 Olympics) and Europe.

All distances are approximate.

Square Footage: 8,011 sq ft


Acreage: 4.1 Acres

Directions

From the M20 heading east take junction 4 (A2248/West Malling/New Hythe/Rochester). At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto the A228 (towards Tonbridge/West Malling). At the next roundabout take the 3rd exit towards Birling. Continue through the village of Birling passing the church on the right hand side. Continue out of the village passing Stangate Road on the left hand side where the entrance for Langold House will be found after a high stone wall on the left hand side.

Additional Info

Local Authority: Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council. Tax Band 'H'

Services: Mains water, gas, electricity. Private drainage. Gas fired central heating.