Detached House for sale with 7 bedrooms, Bekesbourne Lane, Bekesbourne

Whether you have a large or extended family or have inter-generational requirements, this unique and very spacious country residence with plenty of flexible accommodation could be the answer. With its origins believed to be in the 1600s, it has been considerably extended since that time and nestles in 1.47 acres of delightful grounds surrounded by orchards and rolling countryside in the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

It is currently configured to include five reception rooms, two studies, an office, five double bedrooms, a kitchen and breakfast area, a conservatory, a gym and a snooker room as well as a two bedroomed integral annexe that features a lounge, sunroom and kitchen and dining area but this can also be incorporated into the main living accommodation.

The property is accessed via two sets of gates to the extensive gravel driveways, flanked by large lawns interspersed with shrubs and trees, providing plenty of off-road parking. The oak front door opens into a spacious porch with tiled flooring that continues into the characterful entrance hall. This forms part of the original building and includes an impressive inglenook fireplace with a Bressummer beam and a Vermont log burner as well as exposed brickwork and some original ceiling, wall and vertical beams.

Wood features strongly in this updated property with the bespoke main staircase, the flooring in the dining/sitting room, hall and study being 200-year-old French oak lifted from an historic army barracks, while the upstairs corridor flooring is European oak and the modern exposed ceiling beams in many of the rooms are made of Oregon pine.

The L-shaped lounge includes charming, beamed features and two sets of French doors, one leading to an impressive conservatory with granite flooring, half height wall panelling and the other to a fascinating walled garden. While at least a dozen guests can sit down to enjoy a meal in the spacious dual aspect dining/sitting room with its brick pillar, central beam and brick fireplace.

A large dual aspect country style kitchen and breakfast area provides a warm and friendly family atmosphere. It includes a four-oven oil-fired AGA with an electric hob, an electric oven and attractive German oak units with granite worktops housing a built in American style fridge freezer and microwave as well as stand-alone appliances, while the spacious and light breakfast area includes Velux roof windows and a cross beam and plenty of room for a large table and chairs.

The kitchen gives access to a rear boot room with a separate sink and from there to a snug with bi-fold doors overlooking the side patio area. Stairs lead up to a snooker room with a full-size oak table and from there one can access the gym from the other side. Also leading off the kitchen is an inner hall with a cloakroom, access to the utility and machine room and to the annexe.

The ground floor annexe consists of a double bedroom, access to a shower room and a contemporary kitchen/diner with an Everhot electric stove and fitted units as well as a spacious lounge and delightful garden room with five bi-fold doors to walled patio.  This facility would make an excellent home for an elderly relative. However, there is also a private staircase that leads up to a double bedroom with a seating area and delightful views as well as an ensuite bathroom, airing and storage cupboards that could also be incorporated making it a substantial independent space for adult family members.

On the first floor, as well as the snooker room, there is a large gym with a cloakroom, a family bathroom, a separate shower room and another cloakroom as well as five double bedrooms with wonderful countryside views. These include two large doubles with dressing areas and fitted cupboards as well as the stunning main bedroom with a dual aspect seating area, a delightful ensuite bathroom with a corner Jacuzzi bath and stairs up to a galleried mezzanine level which offers a shower room and a large double bedroom with vertical beams and superb views to wake up to in the morning.

While on the second floor there are two partially vaulted double rooms divided by an open archway that are currently in use as a study and an office. However, because they have easy access to the first-floor bathroom, these rooms could become a bedroom and sitting room for an au pair or nanny or a ‘hideaway’ for teenagers looking for a bit of privacy and independence.

So you have the opportunity to follow the sun all day; and there are a number of outdoor seating areas including, on one side of the house, a vast rose granite terrace with a slate table and benches. This is backed by high hedging providing privacy and security and has access to the integral garage with an inspection pit and leads either to the front driveway or to the double carport and the discreetly hidden oil tank and bin area to the rear. There is a large pitched roof dog kennel in fenced run, and a small greenhouse.

The main garden area includes crazy paved pathways and a large attractive terrace with a mixture of gravel, brick and paved areas enclosed by a brick wall that leads to vast areas of level lawn that could always include a tennis or badminton court and/or a swimming pool. Currently the lawns are interspersed with a variety of fruit trees, high hedges with flower and shrub borders, and a rose corral with a charming otter-inspired water feature. There are spacious buildings housing a garden store, a fully equipped workshop and a separate study/hobby room that have lighting, electrics and water so could always be used as an office, studio or even a beauty salon. There is also a summerhouse with wooden flooring and a patio with a stone table and seating, a polytunnel and vegetable beds plus a charming brick built octagonal shaped building that also has wooden flooring and lighting, electrics and heating so would make a delightful office for anyone working from home who needs peace and quiet.