Furnace Lane, Cowden, Edenbridge, Kent, TN8

Charming Grade II listed former mill dating from the 16th century & occupying an idyllic position in an AONB, with extensive gardens & grounds, and an impressive range of outbuildings.

Description

Furnace Mill occupies an enviable, scenic rural position within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the edge of the sought-after village of Cowden, with its beautiful and historic church and celebrated Fountain Inn pub, and is approximately 4.4 miles from the historic village of Hever, famous for its Castle and historical connections to Anne Boleyn, second wife of King Henry the VIII and mother of Elizabeth I of England.

The property is understood to date from the 16th century and was formally believed to have been operated as an iron furnace, fabricating cannon balls for the British naval fleet. The house maintains the original timber frame and has been sympathetically altered and restored to provide well-presented accommodation combining character features with stylish embellishments.

The immaculate gardens are interspersed with waterfalls, terraces and woodland, and house a number of versatile outbuildings. Within the grounds is a cave from which sandstone for the furnace was quarried.

The fabulous drawing room enjoys a triple aspect and an attractive feature fireplace, with beautiful views and doors leading to the gardens and is ideal for formal entertaining.

The family/breakfast room presents another superb reception area ideal for family entertaining, with a feature fireplace with built-in shelving to either side and doors opening to the garden.

The stylish kitchen is fitted with a comprehensive range of base units and some integral appliances including an AGA, with an open view to the family/breakfast room which also provides additional storage units and a Butler sink.

A well-appointed second kitchen/utility room provides ample storage and space for extra appliances.

The bright and spacious reception hall has charming decorative wall timbers and coving.

Completing the ground floor is a spacious cloakroom with W.C, a boiler room with drying area and a generously sized boot/dog room with access via a stable door to the garden and an outside tap for dogs and wellies.

Arranged over the first floor is the impressive principal bedroom suite, which enjoys a double aspect with far reaching views and is served by a spacious dressing room and stylish en suite bathroom.

There are two further double bedrooms, one with a feature fireplace and free standing bath within a charming bay window with attractive views.

A stylish shower room and separate bathroom complete the first floor.

Arranged over the second floor and completing the accommodation are two spacious bedrooms, a sitting room, study and family bathroom.

There is also a separate access over a bridge from Furnace Lane, providing potential for it to be utilised as a self-contained guest suite.

The entrance to Furnace Mill can be found along from the estate rail fencing and entrance to the guest suite/top floor of the property on the right, and is accessed via electronically operated white wooden gates.

The treelined driveway leads to the versatile outbuildings and culminates at a planted turning circle, providing ample off road parking.

The Workhouse is a characterful brick barn. It is currently having a temporary roof installed. The owners have had plans drawn up to convert it into additional accommodation, with potential for multi-generational living, subject to the necessary planning consents being obtained. It was used in the 1930s as a dance hall with a minstrels gallery where the band played.

A secondary timber framed barn with a tiled roof incorporates a garage, work shop and storage, with potential to be utilised for alternative uses, subject to the necessary planning consents being obtained.

The immaculate gardens and grounds are a real feature of the property and provide year round colour and interest. The immediate gardens consist of manicured lawns interspersed with a variety of established deciduous and evergreen shrubs and trees, with edgings of well-stocked flowerbeds.

A stunning weir controlled mill pond (Furnace Pond) opposite and separately owned, feeds into the Kent Water, tributaries of the River Medway, and run through the garden with tiered rock waterfalls and natural pools, all adorned with established aquatic planting and attracting an abundance of wildlife, with several seating areas to observe.

There are swathes of established woodland and meadow, and in total the plot amounts to about 7.4 acres. Additional land is available via separate negotiation.

Location

Local shopping: Edenbridge (5.2 miles) provides supermarkets including Waitrose and other high street retailers.

Comprehensive Shopping: East Grinstead (6.8 miles), Tunbridge Wells (9.3 miles), Oxted (11.7 miles), Sevenoaks (13.7 miles) .

Mainline Rail Services: Cowden station (2 miles) to London Bridge/Victoria. Edenbridge Town station (5.5 miles) to London Bridge/Victoria. East Grinstead Rail Station (6.6 miles).

Primary Schools: Hartfield, Hever, Chiddingstone and Edenbridge.

Grammar Schools: Various in Tonbridge & Tunbridge Wells.

Private Schools: The Preparatory Schools of Holmewood House in Langton Green, Brambletye in East Grinstead, Lingfield College, Michael Hall Steiner School, Forest Row. Independent senior schools include Bedes in Upper Dicker, Worth in Turners Hill, Hurst in Haywards Heath, Eastbourne College, Sevenoaks and Tonbridge Schools, Walthamstow Hall School for Girls in Sevenoaks.

Sporting Facilities: Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club, Sweetwoods Park and Holtye Golf Clubs are a short drive away. Nizels Club in Hildenborough has a golf club and private health/fitness centre. Chartham Park Country Club is located near East Grinstead. Edenbridge Leisure Centre. Racing at Lingfield Park.

All distances are approximate.

Square Footage: 4,159 sq ft


Acreage: 7.4 Acres

Directions

From Edenbridge town centre, proceed southbound on the B2026/Hartfield Road and continue for approx. 3.5 miles. At the crossroad, turn right on to Butterwell Hill, following signs for Cowden. This road becomes the High Street. Continue on to Holtye Hill and turn right on to Furnace Lane. The entrance to Furnace Mill is about 0.4 miles thereafter on the right.

Additional Info

Services: Mains water, electricity. LPG gas & private drainage. Oil fired central heating.