House For Sale £1,700,000
Harnet Street, Sandwich, Kent

Haven House is an historic and landmark property in the centre of the thriving town of Sandwich. Situated on the corner of Harnet Street and Guildcount Lane, the house holds a prominent and commanding position. Listed Grade II*, a classical Georgian façade was added to an older 16th century, mainly timbered, building.

Haven House represents a rare opportunity to acquire an outstanding period home in one of the finest ancient walled gardens in the town.

A handsome doorcase with fluted pilasters leads into a bright and welcoming reception hall. An ornate turned stairway stands sentinel in the hall and gives a flavour of the architectural quality of the house.

Either side of the hall are two of the principal reception rooms. The beautifully proportioned, panelled sitting room has fitted bookshelves and cupboards to one wall and French door to the garden. Opposite is the cosy and intimate snug with panelling to dado height.

A passageway from the hall leads past the dining room, an elegant room with panelling to full height and a large south west facing window overlooking the garden; an ornate fireplace with two round-headed display niches to either side is a focal point. Opposite is the charming kitchen with an Aga set into a former fireplace. There are a good range of cupboards and plenty of space for table and chairs for every day dining. A beamed ceiling and leaded light windows add to the charm. A useful utility is approached off the kitchen.

At the end of the passage is the drawing room, a delightful room with elegant proportions and tall windows overlooking the garden; French doors lead out to the terrace. Close by are a useful utility/cloakroom and a separate WC.

Two staircases lead to the first floor. The main staircase rises to the front landing. Here there is a generous library/reading room. Opposite is the guest bedroom with an en suite bathroom.

The principal bedroom is along the passageway and is a lovely room with generous ceiling heights and a parquet floor, with windows overlooking the walled side garden. A door leads into a spacious en suite shower room. Opposite is a bedroom of a very different character with evidence of the original timber-framed house – this room enjoys an en suite bathroom. At the end of the passageway are two further bedrooms and a separate bathroom.

Unique amongst the many fine gardens in Sandwich, Haven House offers remarkable ancient walled gardens giving special structure and composition.

The gardens are divided into two main areas. The rear garden has been designed with a sense of formality, with paved and brick pathways meandering between shaped beds with symmetrical planting. To the rear of the garden a gate leads to the garage forecourt (which is accessed off Bowling Street). This provides plenty of off street parking and has a double garage. Adjoining the garage are two useful rooms – currently used as an artist’s studio.

The principal garden is to the side of the house and is bounded by a high flint walls, giving a feeling of cloistered serenity. The walls are swathed in climbing roses and the garden is a perfect antidote to the formality of the rear garden. As indicated by the name of the house, the garden is a haven of tranquillity and peace – and the perfect complement to this very fine property.

Long held as one of the finest medieval towns in England, Sandwich has all that one would expect of a thriving and prosperous town, and the property has easy access to a wide range of shops, schools and cultural attractions, both locally and in the nearby towns of Deal and Canterbury.

Being close to the coast and Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve, there is ample scope to enjoy the surrounding area. There are numerous quality golf courses, including Royal St George’s.

The local station offers High Speed connections to London, and the A256 joins the A2/M2 and M20/A20 at Dover. There is good access to the Continent.