House For Sale £3,000,000
Ulcombe Place is an exceptionally elegant home set on the Greensand Ridge of the Kent Downs. Standing next to the 12th century parish church, its elevated position allows glorious views across the Weald of Kent. Listed Grade II, a building has existed on the site for centuries. The property was owned by the Archbishop of Canterbury, who founded a monastic college in the 13th century and in whose possession it remained until the 15th century. The main range dates back to these times though was probably largely remodelled and altered in the early Georgian period. Built using traditional Kentish ragstone, the front elevation provides a particularly appealing symmetrical façade with a delicate fringed verandah. Internally the house has some superb rooms and is presented with great style, enhancing and complementing the beautiful features found throughout.
The front door opens to a splendid reception hall, a beautiful, high-ceilinged room, the proportions and elegance of which set the scene for this gracious house. Double doors open to a garden hall with a vista through to the garden and view beyond. Either side are the drawing room and kitchen/dining room. Both of these generous rooms open out to the Regency verandah via several pairs of glazed doors.
The drawing room is double aspect, having doors at the far end within a deep bay, and is arranged around an open fireplace. The kitchen /dining room is arranged to allow plenty of space for dining with a minimally fitted kitchen arrangement centred on a lovely wooden island and an Aga, allowing the proportions of this fine room to remain unspoilt. Beyond, a highly practical kitchen area provides cooking and preparation space perfectly hidden away when entertaining and bolstered by a utility room and larder. A library is fitted with full height shelving and cupboards and provides a comfortable, less formal space with a wood-burning stove.
The principal, early Georgian staircase rises gracefully through the centre of the house. The principal bedroom looks to the south taking in the views and has a large en suite bathroom/dressing room. Two further bedrooms are served by a family bathroom. The second floor provides extensive further bedroom accommodation, with four further bedrooms and two bathrooms, one being en suite.
The Annexe
The west end of the house provides an annexe with its own front door and comprises a room on the ground floor with a bedroom, en suite shower room and sitting room with a kitchenette, on the second. The annexe offers excellent staff or guest accommodation. Interconnecting doors allow good flexibility, enabling the rooms to be accessed from and used in conjunction with the main house as desired.<br /><br />Ulcombe is a rural village, nestled in the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, close to the larger village of Kingswood and east of the county town of Maidstone. The village has a local pub and a primary school, while Kingswood (a mile away) has several everyday amenities, including a post office.
Further facilities are easily accessible in Headcorn (3.7 miles), including shops, supermarkets, pubs and cafés, a primary school and a mainline station (from 70 minutes to London Charing Cross/Cannon Street and from 81 minutes to London Victoria). Lenham (3.7 miles) offers a similar level of local amenities. The M20 (Junction 8) is just over 4 miles away and provides access to the M25 and London, and towards the Kent coast. The area has good access to the Continent.<br /><br />A gravel driveway leads to the house, with a turning circle at the front providing plenty of parking space. The driveway also provides access towards the rear, where there is a carport and several outbuildings, which could be used for storage, or as workshop or studio space.
The gardens surrounding the property provide a beautiful setting for the house, with a verandah wrapping around the house providing shade for the terrace. Lawns stretch away with a wall on the boundary with the church in front of which are a trio of majestic magnolia trees. The view is framed by a pair of topiary peacocks, providing charm and structure to the gardens. A lower lawn with an impressive ragstone retaining wall leads to a lightly wood area. To the north end of the grounds a magnificent walled garden is planted with fruit trees and provides a sheltered spot for the swimming pool.
The front door opens to a splendid reception hall, a beautiful, high-ceilinged room, the proportions and elegance of which set the scene for this gracious house. Double doors open to a garden hall with a vista through to the garden and view beyond. Either side are the drawing room and kitchen/dining room. Both of these generous rooms open out to the Regency verandah via several pairs of glazed doors.
The drawing room is double aspect, having doors at the far end within a deep bay, and is arranged around an open fireplace. The kitchen /dining room is arranged to allow plenty of space for dining with a minimally fitted kitchen arrangement centred on a lovely wooden island and an Aga, allowing the proportions of this fine room to remain unspoilt. Beyond, a highly practical kitchen area provides cooking and preparation space perfectly hidden away when entertaining and bolstered by a utility room and larder. A library is fitted with full height shelving and cupboards and provides a comfortable, less formal space with a wood-burning stove.
The principal, early Georgian staircase rises gracefully through the centre of the house. The principal bedroom looks to the south taking in the views and has a large en suite bathroom/dressing room. Two further bedrooms are served by a family bathroom. The second floor provides extensive further bedroom accommodation, with four further bedrooms and two bathrooms, one being en suite.
The Annexe
The west end of the house provides an annexe with its own front door and comprises a room on the ground floor with a bedroom, en suite shower room and sitting room with a kitchenette, on the second. The annexe offers excellent staff or guest accommodation. Interconnecting doors allow good flexibility, enabling the rooms to be accessed from and used in conjunction with the main house as desired.<br /><br />Ulcombe is a rural village, nestled in the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, close to the larger village of Kingswood and east of the county town of Maidstone. The village has a local pub and a primary school, while Kingswood (a mile away) has several everyday amenities, including a post office.
Further facilities are easily accessible in Headcorn (3.7 miles), including shops, supermarkets, pubs and cafés, a primary school and a mainline station (from 70 minutes to London Charing Cross/Cannon Street and from 81 minutes to London Victoria). Lenham (3.7 miles) offers a similar level of local amenities. The M20 (Junction 8) is just over 4 miles away and provides access to the M25 and London, and towards the Kent coast. The area has good access to the Continent.<br /><br />A gravel driveway leads to the house, with a turning circle at the front providing plenty of parking space. The driveway also provides access towards the rear, where there is a carport and several outbuildings, which could be used for storage, or as workshop or studio space.
The gardens surrounding the property provide a beautiful setting for the house, with a verandah wrapping around the house providing shade for the terrace. Lawns stretch away with a wall on the boundary with the church in front of which are a trio of majestic magnolia trees. The view is framed by a pair of topiary peacocks, providing charm and structure to the gardens. A lower lawn with an impressive ragstone retaining wall leads to a lightly wood area. To the north end of the grounds a magnificent walled garden is planted with fruit trees and provides a sheltered spot for the swimming pool.
