House For Sale £380,000
Stafford House, Tonbridge, Kent

Situated within the Tonbridge Conservation Area, this charming three-bedroom terraced house lies in the much-coveted Slade quarter. Considerable attention has been paid to the Edwardian character of these workers' houses, originally constructed in 1907, in a recent and exacting renovation of this home. The influence of the coinciding Arts and Crafts movement, the architecture of which championed both simplicity and utility, is tangible here. Behind the restrained red brick façade, gently decorated with a dentil belt course, are a series of light-filled living spaces and a secluded patio garden. The house is perfectly positioned to enjoy Tonbridge’s cultural life, including its finest restaurants, independent shops, and highly-regarded schools. 

Setting the Scene  

The primary school on Stafford Road gives this area of Tonbridge— ‘The Slade’—its name. Slade Primary School opened its doors to pupils in 1907, the same year this house was built, and in the decades that followed a network of narrow streets and intimately scaled Victorian and Edwardian terraced houses emerged to surround it.  

Bounded on three sides by green space, The Slade has the feel of a village, an atmosphere amplified by the cohesive architectural character of the 20th century red, brown and yellow stock brick rows. 

The Grand Tour 

A forged steel gate swings open to a pebbled patio where a pine rosebush climbs the redbrick façade to the right of the house's front door. Entry is to the living room, where the original pine boards running underfoot have been finished with a lacquer. The warm tones of the timber are complemented by the walls, painted an almond-white shade. The windows throughout the house have recently been updated with double-glazed timber sashes and casements; in the living room, a large one-over-one sash looks out to the surrounding Victorian avenues of the Slade. A cast iron fireplace is adorned with Georgian decoration, providing a focal point for the room. Shelves and cupboards set flush in alcoves on either side are perfect for displaying books, photographs or for use as a wood store. 

Behind the living room, at the heart of the house, is the dining room. Another generous sash window offers a view of the back garden, filling the room with a warm light. The current owners have arranged the room around a dining table, placed in the centre of the room. To one side, a green-painted cupboard opens to reveal an excellent pantry store for dry foods, herbs and spices. Facing opposite is additional storage, sitting flush underneath the stairs.  

At the rear of the plan is a well-appointed kitchen. British Standard timber cabinetry is painted in soft ‘Old Sage Green’ from Thorndown. The cabinets are topped with a Carrara quartz worktop and set with a ceramic Belfast sink and four-ring gas hob. Offset laid tiles line the walls, while bespoke terracotta floor tiles are arranged in a delightful honeycomb pattern.  

A hallway beyond the kitchen opens to both the family bathroom and the garden patio, making for a handy spot to kick off muddy boots and coats. Porcelain fittings in the bathroom echo the Victorian fabric of the building.  

Stairs in the dining room ascend to the first floor where there are two double bedrooms and an office room. These rooms, with a natural wool carpet, have a cosy and inviting feel; hand-stitched, silk roman blinds by James Hare can be drawn before bed. The bedroom at the front of the plan takes in views over the Slade quarter, while the bedroom to the rear looks out on the green abundance of mature neighbouring trees. Leading from this room there is an office, ideal for home-working in its current configuration, or offering the potential for a lovely nursery.

The Great Outdoors 

At the rear of the house is a pebbled garden, backdropped by neighbouring Persian ivy and English blackberry. The current owners have arranged a table and chairs to sit at one end, ideal for enjoying a coffee in the afternoon light. For those with green thumbs, the garden makes a wonderful place for potting flowers and cultivating herbs. 

Out and About  

Nestled in the quiet Slade quarter of Tonbridge, this house is within striking distance of the market town’s array of historic, cultural and culinary offerings. The Racehorse Park is only a three-minute walk from the house, spreading over nearly 70 acres and encompassing woodlands, playgrounds and sports pitches, as well as walks along the River Medway. Both the Eden Valley Walk and the Wealdway Walk national trails pass nearby, meandering into the charming countryside around Tonbridge. Perched on the edge of the park is Tonbridge Castle, a 13th-century fortification brimming with medieval history that hosts various food festivals, markets and jazz concerts throughout the year. 

Within walking distance of the house there are two excellent coffee shops, The Old Fire Station and 65mm. The brilliant Bakehouse at 124 makes for a delicious breakfast on a morning stroll. Havet, a much-loved Turkish restaurant, is nearby, as is Fuggles, the perfect stop to sample a variety of craft beers and natural wines. There is more excellent dining in nearby Tunbridge Wells, which can be reached in 10 minutes by train or 20 minutes by car, including The Ivy and Geography, and in Southborough Tallow is a popular choice.

The medieval architectural delights and formal gardens of Penshurst Place and Hever Castle are within a 20-minute drive, as is Chartwell, which was once the family home and garden of Sir Winston Churchill. 

There are many highly regarded state and private schools in Tonbridge and the surrounding area. Primary school options include Slade Primary School, rated "outstanding" by Ofsted. Secondary schools include Tonbridge Grammar School for Girls and Tonbridge School, the latter of which is just a few minutes walk from the house and offers impressive leisure facilities to the public. As well as hosting the local Philharmonic Society concerts, the school also houses The E.M. Forster Theatre and its year-round programme.

Trains run from Tonbridge Station, a 15-minute walk from the house, into London Bridge, Waterloo East and Charing Cross in under 45 minutes. The M25, Ashford International (for connections with the continent) and Gatwick Airport are all within easy driving distance. 

 Council Tax Band: C