luxury houses with reception room for sale West Malling, United Kingdom

Nestling in 12.96 acres of delightful grounds within the High Weald National Landscape (formerly an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) is this impressive early Edwardian residence with far-reaching views over the surrounding countryside. As you sweep onto the forecourt with its ornate circular central flower bed you can begin to appreciate the appeal of this lovely family home with its imposing chimneystacks, variable roof lines and bargeboards as well as bay and casement windows. The covered porch leads to the stunning reception hall that sets the tone for this charming home with a log burning stove that heats the downstairs and immediately surrounds you with a warm and welcoming atmosphere that continues as you move throughout the house.   Although the property has been sensitively modernised to create a contemporary environment it still retains superb period features including wood flooring, the original oak staircase, coved ceilings, dado rails, panelled doors and original fireplaces in many of the rooms. No where is this better illustrated than in the almost 36ft lounge/dining room with its angled box bay window and stone fireplace with a second log burner and is ideal for entertaining. This elegant room has a glazed door to the large, wood framed conservatory that has slate tiled flooring, lovely views over the swimming pool and the garden and is big enough room to provide additional seating and dining areas. There is also a large reception room with a curved glass extension that is currently in use as a ‘snug’ and is ideal for the kids to have their own space. The excellent dual aspect kitchen/breakfast room is more than 29ft long with sufficient room for a large breakfast table and chairs for informal family meals. It includes a range cooker, a store cupboard and charming white units housing an upmarket American fridge freezer and stand-alone appliances. There is a fascinating fitted cloakroom just inside the front door and a secondary hallway where you will find an additional cloakroom, the plant machine room and a utility area/boot room as well as French doors to a small patio area. A second staircase leads up to a 30ft bedroom with an ensuite shower and a balcony overlooking the grounds that is currently in use as a well-equipped gym. It is over the two double garages and this whole area could be converted into a large separate annex, subject to the necessary permissions.   The other five double bedrooms are accessed via the main staircase that leads to a spacious galleried landing with skylights and an airing cupboard as well as to the modern family bathroom with a stand-alone oval bath, a walk-in shower and a vanity basin. Adjacent to the family bathroom is a large dual aspect double bedroom with far reaching views and direct access to another double bedroom with a wall of fitted cupboards and a basin so could become an excellent dressing room or a pair of bedrooms for kids. There is also a well-proportioned bedroom with an angled box bay window and a guest room with a spa inspired ensuite shower and underfloor heating as well as the principal suite. This calm and peaceful space includes glass fronted fitted cupboards, lovely views over the woodland and a trendy ensuite with a walk-in shower and a pair of contemporary vanity basins. A separate driveway leads to the two garages, one of which is also used as a games room. A high curved wall discreetly separates the forecourt from the swimming pool complex and is bordered  by a terrace, providing an ideal space for lounging in the sunshine. Beyond the conservatory there is a large workshop/garden shed and steps down to another spacious terrace creating a charming area for outdoor entertaining. It leads to well-manicured level lawns and to the rest of the grounds that features an orchard with about 30 fruit trees, a vegetable garden and a greenhouse surrounded by six acres of woodland where children can play hide and seek, make camp or enjoy the charming tree house. For anyone with equestrian interests there is a wild meadow that could accommodate horses and it also includes a large barn that could be converted to stables or it would also make an excellent workshop/studio or office complex for anyone working from home who needs a quiet and peaceful working environment.   What the owners say: As soon as we saw the house we fell in love with the spacious rooms, the warm and friendly atmosphere and the grounds as well as the far-reaching views. While we are surrounded by more than 12 acres of grounds and woodland we are not far from the main road for very easy access to Tunbridge Wells and East Grinstead, but we hardly notice any noise and when we are in the garden and the swimming pool, we just enjoy the sound of the birds and the sight of the deer wandering through the grounds. We shall be very sad to leave our wonderful family home but a change in circumstances mean we have to pass the baton on to new owners. The village of Ashurst is only a couple of minutes away and includes a mainline station with commuter access to London, a church and a village hall with a sports ground while it is just over a mile to the good Fordcombe primary school or a little further afield is Speldhurst primary school, rated Outstanding by Ofsted.   It is only about four miles to the historic spa town of Tunbridge Wells which became famous in Regency times when frequented by the aristocracy who came to take the waters and enjoy the entertainment organised by Beau Nash. It developed during that time to include the famous colonnaded Pantiles that now offers a delightful mix of independent shops, bars and restaurants. While the rest of the town includes high street stores, a variety of eateries, individual shops, hair and beauty salons and hotels as well as retail parks. Entertainment facilities include a nine-screen Odeon cinema, the Trinity theatre, the well-respected Assembly Hall Theatre and exhibitions in the Amelia Scott cultural centre. With regard to education there are various primary and secondary schools in and around Tunbridge Wells rated Outstanding by Ofsted including St James and St Peters’ C of E primary schools and secondary schools including Bennett Memorial Diocesan School, the St Gregory’s Catholic School as well as Tunbridge Wells Girls Grammar School and Skinners Grammar School while Claremont primary is considered Outstanding in various categories. You will also find excellent private schools in the area including Rosehill, The Mead, Kent College, Holmewood House and Beechwood prep and secondary school and in Tonbridge there is the famous Tonbridge School founded in 1553. For sporting aficionados there is the Neville Golf Club and Tunbridge Wells rugby, tennis and cricket clubs as well as the indoor sports and tennis centre and a swimming pool.

Set at the end of a sweeping drive through historic parkland, a rare and captivating country estate, one that seamlessly blends architectural grandeur, cutting edge modern comfort and an extraordinary sense of heritage. Immaculately refurbished to the highest standard, the house has been thoughtfully restored for contemporary family living while celebrating the craftsmanship and character of its period origins. From the moment you step inside, the scale and elegance are unmistakable. The stately entrance and inner halls form the heart of the home, rising dramatically to a double-height gallery above. Limestone floors, intricate cornicing and domed ceilings create a sense of occasion, while original parquet flooring and open fireplaces add warmth and authenticity. Technology has been discreetly integrated, with underfloor heating to the ground floor and first-floor bathrooms, alongside Sonos audio and a Crestron home management system controlling lighting, climate, curtains and entertainment at the touch of a tablet or smartphone. The house occupies an elevated position on Holwood Hill, commanding far reaching southerly views across rolling countryside. Two areas of woodland frame the property, creating a natural avenue and a picturesque vista. Ground Floor: - The principal reception rooms flow beautifully from the central halls, each designed to make the most of the breathtaking southerly views across the estate. The music hall is a particular highlight, with its elegant proportions and panoramic outlook over rolling parkland. The drawing room, dining room, games room and kitchen/breakfast room all enjoy generous sash windows and French doors, bathing the interiors in natural light and creating a wonderful connection to the grounds beyond. At the centre of family life sits the magnificent Clive Christian kitchen. With a dramatic double-height ceiling and expansive roof lights, it is both striking and supremely practical. A library mezzanine overlooks part of the breakfast area, creating a relaxed yet refined space for reading or quiet work. From here, the house opens effortlessly into the family room, which in turn leads directly into the newly refurbished swimming pool complex and annexe, perfect for year-round entertaining. Beneath the house, the substantial cellar offers yet more lifestyle flexibility. A large central entertaining space, referred to as the Shisha Lounge, is complemented by two gyms and newly installed communications, boiler and heating systems as well as a generous laundry room. The ground floor is completed by a private study, Champagne bar/Snooker room, four car garage, cloakroom, powder room and a fully insulated cinema room with surround sound for evenings at home. First Floor - A grand sweeping staircase leads to the first-floor accommodation, where space and privacy have been beautifully balanced. The principal suite forms a luxurious private retreat, complete with two dressing rooms, an elegant en suite bathroom and its own sitting room, all overlooking the parkland and valley beyond. Two further bedrooms in this wing interconnect and share a bathroom, ideal for children or guests. The pillared central gallery looks down over the inner hall and gives access to a further bedroom suite, a nursery and a dedicated guest wing with two additional bedroom suites. A separate landing connects back to the library mezzanine and down to the kitchen below. The leisure facilities at Holwood are exceptional. The swimming pool complex has been refurbished to a luxury spa-level specification, with a steam room, sauna, two rainforest showers, pool table and a wet lounge. French doors open onto timber decking, making it an idyllic setting for summer gatherings, barbecues and poolside entertaining. A striking glass staircase rises to the first-floor guest accommodation, which includes a generous games room or gym, two further guest bedrooms and a shower room. Separate stairs lead to a fully self-contained housekeeper's apartment with two bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen and living room, ideal for staff or independent living. Gardens And Grounds - The setting of Holwood House is truly extraordinary. The approach winds gently through landscaped parkland originally sculpted by Decimus Burton, immediately instilling a sense of arrival and privacy. The house occupies an elevated position on Holwood Hill, commanding far-reaching southerly views across rolling countryside. Two areas of woodland frame the property, creating a natural avenue and a picturesque vista visible from many of the principal rooms and bedrooms. To the rear, the estate includes a secondary drive, tennis court, walled garden and an elegant garden pavilion to the west. To the east, a newly constructed machinery store, also suitable as a helicopter hangar, adds a discreet yet highly practical modern touch. History - Few houses can claim a history as rich or as influential as Holwood, and fewer still combine such pedigree with effortless modern living. The site itself is recorded as an Iron Age fort, Caesar's Camp, and has long been recognised for its strategic and scenic importance. In the late 18th century, Holwood became the cherished retreat of William Pitt the Younger, Britain's youngest ever Prime Minister, who commissioned Sir John Soane to remodel the house and transform the surrounding landscape. It was here, beneath a great oak tree in 1787, that Pitt famously encouraged William Wilberforce to begin the parliamentary campaign to abolish the slave trade. The house was later rebuilt in its current classical Georgian form by the celebrated architect Decimus Burton in 1827. Over the centuries, Holwood has welcomed an extraordinary roll call of visitors and residents, including Charles Darwin, who conducted experiments in the grounds, and Winston Churchill, who dined here regularly during the Second World War. Today, the house and grounds are Grade I listed, reflecting their exceptional historical significance. Location And Lifestyle - Holwood House enjoys an elevated, private position just east of the charming village of Keston, which offers a village hall, pub and post office. More extensive shopping can be found in Bromley, with Sevenoaks under 14 miles away. The area is renowned for its excellent schooling, with a wide selection of highly regarded independent and state schools within easy reach. Fast rail services from Orpington and Bromley South provide swift access into central London, while the M25 is readily accessible. Golfers are well served by nearby courses including Chelsfield Lakes, West Kent and Lullingstone Park. Biggin Hill Airport is just 1.7 miles away, with Gatwick and London City also within comfortable reach. Holwood House is not simply a home; it is a private estate of rare beauty and historical importance, offering a lifestyle defined by space, privacy, elegance and connection to both countryside and city. Planning Permission - Permission granted for 10 car garage and bowling alley - contact us for more details.

Exceptional Five-Bedroom Family Home with Detached Annex Occupying an impressive 0.9-acre plot in a private road in Chislehurst, this outstanding five-bedroom gated detached home combines Arts and Crafts charm with modern family living. Offering over 5,000 sq ft of beautifully presented accommodation, the property features elegant interiors, period detailing, and landscaped gardens with picturesque views over the duck pond. A grand reception hall sets the tone for the home's generous proportions. The main reception room, bathed in natural light, opens to a south-facing summer room, while a second reception provides a refined space for formal entertaining. At the heart of the home, a stunning open-plan kitchen and dining area boasts sleek cabinetry, premium integrated appliances, and a stylish peninsular island - ideal for family gatherings and entertaining alike. The ground floor also includes a home office, playroom/study, utility room, and guest WC. Upstairs, five well-proportioned bedrooms offer comfort and style. The principal suite features fitted wardrobes and a luxurious en-suite bathroom, while the 2nd bedroom has en-suite facilities and a family bathroom serves the other bedrooms. A fully self-contained detached annex adds valuable flexibility, complete with a living area, kitchenette, and two additional rooms - perfect for guests, extended family, or a private workspace, currantly used as a pool/games room. The wraparound landscaped gardens provide a peaceful sanctuary, with mature planting, a manicured lawn, and three elegant patio areas ideal for al fresco dining. A private driveway and two integral garages offer ample off-street parking. Set within a tranquil location yet moments from Chislehurst High Street, the home enjoys easy access to boutique shops, popular restaurants, and outstanding local schools. Excellent transport links to London Bridge, Charing Cross, and Cannon Street.