Padbrook Lane, Preston, Canterbury, Kent

This 16th century Grade II Listed thatched cottage with leaded light casement windows and a central chimneystack is the ultimate rural idyll. Nestling in 2.13 acres of gardens and grounds, it is surrounded by orchards in a Conservation Area and includes a detached annexe. The main entrance is accessed via a personal side gate or through solid wood gates to the driveway. This is flanked by a fenced orchard area and a paved terrace and flower and shrub beds leading to the entrance lobby and the dual aspect country style kitchen/breakfast room. This includes a door to the garden, a new range cooker and units housing recently installed appliances, while the breakfast area incorporates wall beams providing a partial separation from the kitchen.

There is a family bathroom and a dining area with a brick floor and wall, exposed beams and an inglenook fireplace with an original Bressummer beam, a bread oven and a Victorian log burner. The triple aspect sitting area has exposed wall and ceiling beams, an inglenook fireplace with a log burner and French doors to a terrace. The first floor corridor leads to a cloakroom and two double bedrooms with delightful views including the dual aspect first bedroom with fitted wardrobes.

The detached annexe has a vaulted and beamed dual aspect lounge with a carved wood Victorian fireplace, a large bay window and French doors to the patio. There is a kitchenette, a bathroom and a dual aspect double bedroom with a door to a private terrace overlooking the circular fishpond. There are sweeping lawns, various seating areas, flower and shrub beds, a wildlife pond, trees and wooded areas in the semi-wild garden.

What the Owner says:

We moved here in 2008 and it has been a wonderful characterful home. We love the peace and quiet and been delighted to welcome paying guests to the annex. However, we want to move nearer to our family. Nearby Preston has a good primary school, shop, historic pub and Coppers garden centre/restaurant, a village hall offers a variety of activities and a bus taking children to secondary school in the surrounding towns, while the train from Minster can whisk you to London in under an hour and a quarter. Canterbury is less than 10 miles and includes historic buildings, high street stores and individual shops, restaurants, bars and two theatres and cinemas, excellent private schools, three universities and a further education college.