Little Southernden BarnSouthernden Road | Headcorn | Ashford | Kent | TN27 9LL

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Little Southernden Barn“Before my husband and I came across the barn we had really done the rounds in terms of our property search,” says Lesley. “We had looked extensively in Kent, but found nothing that really appealed to us, until an agent suggested we take a look at this property. I can remember driving up the pretty roads and then seeing The Weald stretching out in front of us, and I immediately got what can only be described as a tingling sensation. When we got to the house my husband just said ‘this is the one’. It’s so peaceful here and there’s such a wonderful feeling of tranquillity, and the house just seems to wrap its arms around you; it’s a very special place.”

Little Southernden Barn is an extremely attractive and hugely characterful barn conversion that enjoys a most glorious setting, surrounded by mile upon mile of spectacular Kent countryside. The original part of the property is thought to date back to the 16th Century, but in the late 1980s it was beautifully converted into a spacious family home. The current owner purchased the property a little over 16 years ago, and it has been a much loved home ever since.

“The barn was converted by the previous owners,” continues Lesley, “and I must say they did the most wonderful job of it. It was very well designed and therefore, has an open and airy feel throughout, the layout is fabulous so the entire house has a really nice flow. I particularly love the central seating area, which has the huge, floor to ceiling window overlooking the garden. It’s a lovely, peaceful place to just sit and admire the view. At the moment I can see the willow tree, which is just coming into bud, and the little yellow heads of the daffodils are swaying gently in the breeze; it’s beautiful.”

“When we bought the barn we didn’t need to do much to it,” continues Lesley. “We put in a new kitchen, of course, and then it was just a case of updating the décor and varnishing the beams, but over the years I have done an awful lot to the garden. It was just a lawn surrounded by hedging and trees, but I’ve since planted shrubs, put in a few more trees and created a great many flowerbeds, so for most of the year there is colour. I have seating under the pergola, and I love nothing more than to sit out in the evening with a glass of wine and just look up at the twinkling stars.”

“This is such a beautiful and peaceful place to live,” says Lesley, “but it’s not at all isolated. The village is just under ten minutes away and has a wonderful selection of shops. There’s a butchers, a bakers, and a lovely green grocers, in fact, if you didn’t want to venture further it really does cater for every need. Headcorn station runs direct services into Charing Cross, and if you venture a little further to Ashford you could be in Paris in around three hours.”

“I have decided that the time has come to downsize,” says Lesley, “but I won’t be going far. This is a place where one can let go of all worries, and in my opinion has a very therapeutic quality. It’s a stress free place that seems a million miles from the rat race.”*

* These comments are the personal views of the current owner and are included as an insight into life at the property. They have not been independently verified, should not be relied on without verification and do not necessarily reflect the views of the agent.

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A charming unlisted five bedroom period barn conversion with 3 acres (STMS) of grounds. The barn was originally converted for residential use about 25 years ago and is now a comfortable modern home, but still retains its fabulous historic characteristics and has a wealth of original exposed oak beams throughout.

With five/six bedrooms, and three/four reception rooms, as well as a kitchen/breakfast room, there is ample space for family life.

The barn has retained many original characteristics making it a very warm and relaxing place to be.

GROUND FLOORStepping into the entrance hall a wealth of features await you, with exposed beams, rafters, timbers and base plates still sporting the original peg joints. You note that some of the old weatherboarding has been varnished and now radiates a warm glow before making your way through to the central sitting

room. This wonderful space is open plan up to the rafters with a central walk way, a plethora of polished timbers and a huge west facing glazed wall that spans up to roof level and through which the sunlight streams in. A large, freestanding wood-burning stove creates a focal point for family and friends, although the heat from the stove will permeate most of the rooms. However, beyond all the space that this room provides it still retains a very cosy feel. The more formal drawing room is a warm and mellow mix of polished timbers and cream painted walls. There is an inglenook style fireplace, whilst windows and French doors lead out to the sun terrace.

A cosy dining room with extensive beams and timbers also looks out to the sun terrace and the generous kitchen/breakfast room is the hub of the home. This bright room overlooks the front of the barn and has windows and French doors leading to the rear garden. A good range of timber kitchen cabinets incorporate a double oven and hob whilst providing space for the usual appliances.

Also leading off the entrance hall is a bedroom suite with shower room and a study, which could provide an ideal ground floor annexe. Completing the ground floor accommodation is a utility room and cloakroom.

FIRST FLOOR Stairs lead from the sitting room up to the aerial walkway, which in turn leads to the master bedroom suite at one end and the remaining bedrooms and family bathroom at the other. From the main bedroom there are low windows with fine views over the gardens, plus fitted wardrobes and an en suite bathroom with separate shower.

The remaining two bedrooms, study/office and family bathroom boast some lovely roof timbers and purlins.

On the fringes of the village, the barn offers a high degree of privacy, but with the convenience of excellent village facilities close by.

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OUTSIDEThe garden has been transformed into a vibrant and colourful space, by creating a range of flower beds and borders, with structure added by mature trees and shrubs. It is a tranquil and lovely place to relax and enjoy watching the birds and other wildlife.

There is a terrace, covered by a pergola from which trailing wisteria scents the air in summer and this can be easily accessed from both the kitchen and the sitting room.

Adjoining the barn is a useful garden store and boiler room, linking to the double garage.

The owner has added a mobile home for ancillary accommodation and beyond this there is the orchard with chicken run. Next to the garden are two paddocks, one with a pair of field shelters and adjoining feed store. There is separate access from the lane to the land together with a gravel hard standing.

SELF SUSTAINABILITY The barn already has many facilities which might be of interest to those seeking to live a more self sufficient life. The barn has been fitted with solar panels. There are vegetable plots which provide kitchen garden vegetables and an orchard with apple tress which is home to chickens!

LOCATIONThe surrounding area of Kent is threaded with ancient history. Leeds Castle is just a 10 minute drive from the property and the historic cathedral city of Canterbury is about a 40 minute drive. The glorious rolling countryside of the North Downs can be reached in about 30 minutes, giving easy access to a wealth of country walks, while the high speed Eurostar rail link to London from Ashford is about 14 miles distant. The County town of Maidstone is 9 miles and the coast at Rye 20 miles.

On the fringes of the village, the barn offers a high degree of privacy, but with the convenience of excellent village facilities close by. The picturesque and bustling village of Headcorn is

only two miles away and offers a fantastic and diverse range of shops, restaurants and pubs, a primary school, church and a Sainsbury’s. The rail station offers a service to London with trains reaching Waterloo in less than an hour and Cannon Street in just over the hour. In addition, access to the motorway network is very easy, with the M20 just 15 minutes away. Favoured Cranbrook School is within a 15-minute drive and Sutton Valence School is about 10 minutes away.

SERVICES Mains water and Electricity. Oil fired central heating and hot water. Private drainage.

LOCAL AUTHORITY Maidstone - 01622 602440 Council Tax Band: G

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Agents notes: All measurements are approximate and quoted in metric with imperial equivalents and for general guidance only and whilst every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy, they must not be relied on. The fixtures, fittings and appliances referred to have not been tested and therefore no guarantee can be given that they are in working order. Internal photographs are reproduced for general information and it must not be inferred that any item shown is included with the property. For a free valuation, contact the numbers listed on the brochure. Printed 31.03.2015

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Fine & Country Tenterden 37 High Street, Tenterden, Kent TN30 6BJ

Tel 01580 766 388

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