Birchwood Avenue, Southborough, Kent

This adorable cottage looks like something out of ‘Hansel and Gretel’ and, although not in the middle of a wood, it is conveniently located on the outskirts of Southborough, not far from Bidborough village and close to the A26/A21. The entrance is bordered by a sculptured brick wall leading to a driveway, the garage and a spacious block paved frontage. Although only built about 40 years ago the cottage has delightful external period charm matched by internal character features including beams, fireplaces, a larch wood staircase, skirtings and doors.

The front door opens into a lobby and reception hall with a central staircase, a large storage cupboard and a cloakroom. There is a dual aspect snug/study and the superb triple aspect sitting room featuring an impressive brick chimney breast with an inglenook style fireplace and a brick insert plus an open archway to the large L shaped dual aspect dining room with a feature brick wall and fireplace, providing a spacious semi open plan feel, with French doors to the covered Pergola and access to the kitchen/breakfast room. This includes oak units housing a built in hob, double oven and dishwasher, a breakfast bar and access to a fitted utility room with an external door and an outdoor storage cupboard. There is a galleried landing with beams, an airing cupboard, access to a boarded and insulated attic and a family shower room as well as three bedrooms with dormer windows, eaves storage and vanity basins and the delightful principal bedroom with fitted wardrobes and ensuite bathroom. The magical garden starts as you first sweep onto the property with its front lawn and pond surrounded by colourful shrubs continuing along the driveway, leading to the double garage with inspection pit and two attached garden storage sheds. As well as the covered Pergola there is a summerhouse and a spacious curved terrace for al fresco dining and revelling in the views across the fairytale rear garden. Swathes of lawn are edged by plantings including magnolias, azaleas and trellis filled roses. There is also topiary hedging and a gorgeous wildlife lily pond all surrounded by impressive mature trees shielding the garden from the neighbouring properties.

What the Owner says:

We fell in love with the cottage as soon as we saw it five years ago and are only leaving for health reasons. It is close to Southborough with its 75 acre Common and includes the 850 acre Honnington Equestrian Centre that also offers a bike track and clay pigeon shooting. The town and surrounding area includes pubs and restaurants, convenience stores, independent shops, a cricket club and a good primary school as well as a modern civic centre with its medical centre, pharmacy, library and hall with regular activities. While nearby Bidborough village has a good primary school and nursery as well as a post office, convenience store, garage and eateries.
Tonbridge is about two miles away with its station, where trains to London Bridge in about half an hour, as well as independent shops, bars, restaurants, retail outlets, excellent educational facilities and sports clubs. While Tunbridge Wells includes the famous Pantiles, high street stores, a variety of eateries, individual shops, luxury and boutique hotels and retail parks. There is a nine-screen Odeon cinema, the Trinity Theatre, the Assembly Hall Theatre and a variety of sports clubs including the Neville Golf club as well as first class grammar and private schools.