North Frith Park, Hadlow, Tonbridge, Kent

If you want the history, character and charm of living in a stunning Grade II Listed country mansion, surrounded by 65 acres of private parkland in the Kent Downs AONB, this superb and spacious first floor apartment in North Frith House might tick all the right boxes. Sensitively converted into delightful apartments in 2001, it was originally designed in the vernacular revival style in 1889 by architect George Friend for Chicago industrialist Thomas Boyd, known as the ‘Bacon King.’ While the surrounding parkland has historical connections that date back to the Norman Conquest.

A drive winds through the parkland and leads to a mews garage with automatic doors, lighting and electrics and an allocated parking space as well as to the arched front entrance. This opens into an awe inspiring baronial style dual height reception hall with a stunning painted ceiling, panelled walls and a sweeping oak staircase leading to a vast galleried landing and access to the apartment that takes up a significant part of the first floor. This has a private hallway with high ceilings and storage cupboards and access to the decked roof terrace where you can sit and admire the views.

The large light and airy dual aspect lounge/dining room includes ornate cornicing and also has wonderful views across the park and door access to the recently upgraded kitchen/breakfast room. This has a tiled floor with underfloor heating and includes a modern range cooker and solid wood shaker style units with quartz worktops housing contemporary high end appliances, while still leaving space for a table and chairs.

There are two ensuite double bedrooms including the principal with fitted cupboards and a shower room, while the guest room has an en suite bathroom. Additional storage facilities are available in the cellar.

The truly special park includes a Grade II Listed gentleman’s Kent ragstone bathing box and what was a bathing pond, well stocked lakes for fishing, specimen trees, well maintained lawns and woodland walks.

What the Owner says:

We fell in love with the park, the mansion and the apartment the minute we saw them some 20 years ago. We love being able to sit on our roof terrace and revel in the views or wander around the park every day. Although the park is communal there are private areas to enjoy a quiet read or family picnic.
We are not far from Shipbourne with its historic church and a charming village hall at the end of a Kentish Hall House as well as tennis courts, a good primary school, a farmer’s market and the Chaser Inn. Nearby Hadlow features period buildings, a good primary school and Hadlow College, shops, a pub, hairdresser, a church and village hall, a library, medical centre, cricket and bowls clubs. It is only about three miles to Tonbridge with its many amenities, sports clubs, excellent state and private schools and trains to London that take just over half an hour.