Elham, Canterbury, Kent

The beautiful Grade II Listed this property nestles in 5.75 acres of glorious gardens, grounds and two large paddocks, surrounded by farmland in the Kent Downs AONB. It oozes Tudor charm and character with its black and white exterior, plethora of exposed beams and impressive fireplaces and includes a detached cottage annexe, a Victorian stable block and an all-weather tennis court.

The circular carriage driveway leads round to the wisteria covered oak front door that opens into the characterful reception hall with a vast inglenook fireplace and a large log burner. The drawing room has an equally impressive inglenook fireplace and a row of central vertical beams that are open to the other end of the room.

A dual aspect formal dining room has steps up to the modern kitchen/breakfast room with units housing various appliances, a larder and utility cupboard. The breakfast area features a bay window and access to the dual aspect study while an inner hall includes a cloakroom, stairs to the upper floor, an understairs cupboard and a corridor with access to the cellar, a garden room and the garden.

Upstairs there are six double bedrooms including one with an en suite shower and an adjoining room with a delft tile fireplace and a Jack and Jill/family bathroom. Another has a brick fireplace and is where Winston Churchill slept while the dual aspect main bedroom has access to a large attic, an ensuite bathroom and a 1920s oak panelled dressing room. The second floor includes two vaulted attic rooms.

The detached annexe cottage has a hallway, staircase, a lounge, a fitted kitchen, conservatory, double bedroom and bathroom while the stable block features three internal stables, four stalls and a large double garage.

There are swathes of undulating lawns interspersed with impressive trees and shrub beds, topiary hedging, brick garden sheds, a pond with a waterfall and the central level lawn bordered by a stunning rose garden with a circular thatched gazebo and a patio area. At one end of the garden a pathway leads up to the tennis court, thatched pavilion and a wild garden area with trees and far-reaching views.

What the Owner says:

We moved here in the early 1980s and have loved every minute of our time in this special family home however we need to downsize but are staying in the area as we enjoy the surroundings and the village. Although we have done a lot in the house and garden there are a number of development opportunities available, subject to appropriate planning.”
Additional Information: The attic rooms could be developed; the cottage could be extended to create a second bedroom while the large garage could also be converted. There is plenty of room adjacent to the tennis court to create a whole outdoor entertainment/swimming pool complex and there is even room to build another house. While the undulating paddocks could become a vineyard or include solar panels.
Elham includes a grocery/newsagent, a surgery and the Kings Arms gastro pub. There are cricket and football clubs, tennis and pickleball courts and a well-respected primary school. Commuters can drive to Ashford International in 30 minutes where the fast train takes 37 minutes to St Pancras. There is easy road access to the Channel Tunnel plus a regular bus service between Folkestone and Canterbury. There are excellent grammar and private school in the vicinity while Canterbury includes historic buildings, high street stores, independent shops, restaurants, three universities, three theatres and a cinema complex.