Old Dover Road, Canterbury, Kent

This Architect-designed, doubled-fronted detached home has been considerately extended by Award winning architects Napier Clarke while retaining the flow of the original mid-century house designed by architect Robert Paine in 1952.

The front of no 76 is characterised by clean architectural lines, with large, double-glazed aluminium-framed windows and constructed using red handmade brick. The large front door is set back between symmetrical elevations and opens to a central hall. The ground floor living spaces flow effortlessly in an open plan format, with a separate study and utility room (including cloakroom) off the entrance hall. Engineered oak flooring with underfloor heating runs throughout the ground floor.

The living space spans the length of the house front to back with floor to ceiling windows illuminating the house; at the back of the house the tri-fold door creates easy transition between indoors and out. In the kitchen, the custom-built poured concrete work surface sits on matt white kitchen units. The kitchen specification includes a polished stainless-steel mixer tap, a Franke stainless steel sink, a Neff integrated dishwasher, Neff 5 burner gas hob and two Neff ovens, one with microwave incorporated. There are integrated full length Liebherr fridge and separate freezer and a walk-in larder.

The kitchen flows into the dining area where a wood-burning stove is set into the fireplace and the original mid-century wooden shelving has been retained, creating a library corner. Large windows frame leafy views across the garden to the rear.

A useful utility room, with terracotta floor tiles and ample birch plywood storage, is accessed off the hallway along with a tiled cloakroom with contemporary Italian ceramic basin and Vola mixer tap. The utility room also gives access to the outside, where there is a rail for hanging wetsuits after a day at the beach. A well-proportioned study to the front of the house fully captures the morning sun and is currently used as an office and workout space.

Upstairs there are five double bedrooms and three bathrooms each bedroom fanning out from the central hallway. The corridor is designed as a light tunnel separating the two sides of the home with floor to ceiling glass at both ends and providing a wonderful view over the garden to the rear.

The principal bedroom with its floor to ceiling window, has a marble tiled en suite with mirrored wall, Iceramic basin, Vola brushed stainless steel tap and heated towel rail and underfloor heating. The main bathroom off the hallway has Bouroullec floor tiles, heated flooring and towel rail, Italian ceramic basin, brushed stainless steel Vola tap and an opening electric roof light. The guest bedroom also has a tiled en suite with black Vola tap, Italian ceramic basin and heated floor and towel rail.

Engineered oak flooring runs through the upstairs hallway and each bedroom has Bisque vertical architectural radiators.

The house is in a central location on the outskirts of Canterbury City Centre with a well-established peaceful garden at the rear, which feels a world away from the bustle of City living.

An original brick wall and established yew tree provide privacy from the road, while the gravel driveway allows parking for three cars.

The gardens behind the house are an extension of the stylish interior, with a tri-fold door leading from the dining area onto the terrace which has been laid using imported concrete Barcelona street tiles. This is an idyllic spot to entertain, relax and enjoy a barbecue in the established garden.

Further down the garden a Berg trampoline has been discreetly sunk into the lawn and at the bottom of the path there is a dedicated composting area and useful spacious shed with electricity.

76 Old Dover Road is in a Conservation Area within popular South Canterbury and benefits from the historic Cathedral City’s wealth of cultural, sporting and leisure amenities, including the Marlowe Theatre and the Beaney House of Art & Knowledge. Canterbury offers a variety of cafés, bars and restaurants, as well as a major shopping centre and many individual shops. The Goods Shed farmers’ market, food hall and restaurant in Canterbury and The Pig at Bridge are popular venues in the area.

Communication links are well-provided with the nearby A2 giving direct access to the motorway network, linking the M2 and M20. The city also offers a High-Speed commute from Canterbury West station into London St Pancras in under an hour, as well as services to London Victoria from Canterbury East.

The house is ideally positioned to access the excellent grammar and private schools in Canterbury, including the Simon Langton grammar schools, St Edmund's School, Kent College and The King’s Schools.