Westerhill Road, Linton, Maidstone, Kent, ME17

A fine and beautifully presented Grade II listed
country house with excellent recreational facilities and
outstanding panoramic views over the Weald of Kent

Description

Westerhill is a fine Grade II Listed former farmhouse which occupies an elevated position with superb far reaching panoramic views over the Weald of Kent. Believed to date from the 15th or early 16th century with a later 18th century façade, this delightful oak framed family home with elevations enhanced by mature wisteria and rambling roses, has been sympathetically remodelled and refurbished by the current owners, who have retained many of the charming period features, whilst incorporating modern day comforts, resulting in beautifully presented family accommodation of over 5,700 sq ft. Points of note include:

Sash windows, some with working shutters, high ceilings to majority of rooms, dentil cornice work, exposed beams, exposed wood flooring, lovely period fireplaces, two with wood burning stoves.

Wiring is in place for surround sound to a number of rooms and under floor heating features within the kitchen, breakfast room, utility room, principal bathroom suite and family bathroom.

Well proportioned southerly facing reception rooms comprise a delightful dual aspect drawing room and a stylishly decorated dining room, ideal for entertaining, both rooms enjoy the lovely far reaching vistas over the gardens and Kentish landscape beyond. Further reception rooms include a sitting room and a study with pretty period fireplace and Delft tiled slips.

The kitchen/breakfast/family room is arranged over two levels, there is a range of handcrafted cupboards and central island with granite work surfaces by Harvey Jones Kitchens. Appliances include a four oven gas fired Aga with two oven electric module, an electric combi oven, integral dishwasher and freestanding American style fridge/freezer. A walk-in larder offers a further range of storage.

A trap door is cleverly incorporated within the wood flooring and leads via steps to an excellent wine cellar.

A turned staircase leads from the central hall to the first floor where there are five bedrooms which are served by four bath/shower rooms (two being en suite).

The master bedroom enjoys wonderful views and benefits from a dressing room and a luxuriously appointed bathroom with Catchpole & Rye sanitary ware and fittings.

A further bedroom, with access to generous loft areas and a separate WC are situated on the second floor.

Westerhill is approached via electric double gates which open to a gravel driveway. A gently sloping lawn with specimen trees and pond with water feature lies to one side and ‘progression lighting’ continues around the drive, coach house and former stables to the open bay garaging. There are two further vehicular accesses via double wooden gates from Westerhill Lane.

A gate leads through an archway to a pretty, secluded walled garden, well protected by evergreen hedging to the eastern boundary.

The gardens continue to the south, from where panoramic views can be enjoyed. Arranged over three levels, the upper level features an expanse of lawn with an array of trees including a copper beech and an ancient yew tree. On the next level, partially screened by beech hedging is the excellent pool house with under floor heating, heated outdoor swimming pool with electric cover and limestone surround, screened to two sides by beech hedging. On the lower level lies the tennis court and a wooded area.

Attractive outbuildings arranged around the drive to the north of the house include a former coach house with store rooms and workshop on the ground floor and music room/studio with sound insulation and security system. There is a former stable block which is currently used for storage purposes, however it could be utilised as stables again or offer potential for conversion to ancillary accommodation/holiday let or home office, subject to all the necessary planning consents.

Maidstone Borough Council granted full Planning Permission for The Lodge under Ref 21/505677 for the conversion and extension of the existing single storey barn into a 3 bedroom dwelling with parking. Full plans are available on Maidstone Borough Council’s planning portal.

Square Footage: 5,730 sq ft


Acreage: 2.21 Acres

Directions

From the centre of Cranbrook proceed north to the Wilsley Pound roundabout. Continue along the A229 through Staplehurst and up Linton Hill (about 9.6 miles). Turn left signposted to Coxheath on to the B2163. Proceed for about 1 mile and turn left into Westerhill Road. The entrance to Westerhill will be found on the right hand side after about 0.25 of a mile.

Additional Info

Local and comprehensive shopping: Coxheath is about 0.25 of a mile away and has a good range of shops and amenities for everyday needs. More extensive shopping can be found in in Maidstone and Ashford. Bluewater shopping is located just off the M25 Junction 2 (A2/M2).

Mainline rail services: to London Charing Cross can be found at Staplehurst station or from Maidstone East station into London Victoria. Eurostar trains are available from Ashford International. A 37 minute high speed train service has been introduced from London St Pancras to Ashford.

Education: Like many parts of Kent there are some excellent schools in the area. In the state sector there are grammar
schools for boys and girls in Maidstone, Cranbrook and Tonbridge. There are also some local primary schools with excellent Ofsted reports. In the private sector there are independent girl and boy’s schools in Sutton Valence, Canterbury and Tonbridge.

Motorway links: The M25 via the M20/M26 can be accessed at J5 and the M20 (6 miles) via J8 both providing links to Gatwick and Heathrow airport and other motorway networks.

Leisure/sporting facilities: Good sports and leisure opportunities can be found in Maidstone, Cranbrook and Tenterden
with the coast about 30 miles to the south. There are a number of golf courses in the area including the Nick Faldo designed Chart Hills at Biddenden together with excellent walks, cycling and riding in Hemsted Forest.