Etchinghill, Goudhurst
Etchinghill is an elegant country house gifted with beautifully proportioned rooms, full of light, and a welcome feel. The heart of this old farmhouse is believed to date from the 17th century with later 20th and 21st century additions giving part of the property its distinctive Edwardian style. Together with a fine detached timber framed barn converted as ancillary accommodation, they nestle amidst beautiful gardens and grounds and enjoy far-reaching views over the adjoining Kentish countryside.
This impressive family home has been substantially remodelled, extended and refurbished to an exceptional standard with the emphasis on attention to detail and style, retaining the integrity of the 17th century origins whilst incorporating a more contemporary feel, in keeping with today’s lifestyle.
The front door opens to an archway which leads through to the reception hall where the internal accommodation flows freely with the reception rooms providing the ideal areas for the family or for more formal entertaining. The drawing room is of generous proportions with inglenook fireplace and Hunter Herald wood burning stove. Glass doors lead to the adjacent music room/study. The sitting room is a wonderfully light room with Jotul wood burning stove and French doors to the garden whilst the formal dining room features reclaimed oak panelling, with a warm intimate feel to it.
Forming part of the substantial extension, by the current owners, is the superb kitchen/breakfast/family room, with an extensive range of hand painted cupboards, electric Aga, two integral dishwashers, refrigerator, cook’s fridge and separate freezer. The orangery-style breakfast/family area feels very much part of the garden, with three sets of French doors opening onto a large York stone terrace. Another compelling feature of the property is that all the downstairs flooring is wide oak boards, creating a warm and welcoming feel.
Off the rear hall is a laundry room with further storage cupboards and space for white goods and a cloakroom, there is a separate staircase here running to the top floor. Brick stairs lead down to the two room cellar which is fitted out with racking and arches with capacity for several thousand bottles.
On the first floor the principal bedroom suite enjoys a triple aspect with vistas over the gardens and beyond. There is a classically appointed bathroom with original cast iron ‘Bateau’ bath by Rogeat & C A Lyon and white sanitary ware by Catchpole & Rye.
Arranged over the remainder of this floor are four further bedrooms, which are served by a family bathroom with Fired Earth fittings. On the second floor are pretty attic bedrooms six and seven, both of good proportions with vaulted ceilings and exposed timbers, a bathroom with slipper bath, and access to the ample loft space.
To the north of the house and accessible via a separate entrance is the impressive unlisted timber framed barn which has been stylishly converted for the purpose of ancillary accommodation to the main house or as a holiday let. With underfloor heating to the ground floor and separate oil fired central heating system, it has been finished in quality oak joinery and stone flooring, with an east-facing sitting room and French doors opening to a private garden area, a dining room, fully fitted kitchen, two bedrooms, a shower room and bathroom fitted with sanitary ware by Fired Earth. A door leads from the sitting room to a wonderful billiards/games room with a wealth of exposed beams and vaulted ceiling.
Opposite the barn are the former stables which were converted in 2020 to provide garaging for four cars. A paddle staircase leads up to the first floor which is currently used as a gym. Further outbuildings comprise an old period brick-built potting shed and store room, a detached pool changing/plant room and a workshop/mower store.
Etchinghill is accessed via electric wooden gates which open to a gravel drive sweeping around to the front of the house and flanked by a collection of rhododendrons, a flowering cherry and specimen trees.
The beautiful gardens and grounds, which extend to just under two acres, are an outstanding feature of the property. Expansive lawns with wide herbaceous borders stretch away to the east and south, affording views over the adjoining countryside. There is a pretty sandstone bothy which provides shelter on hot summer days and a salt water swimming pool surrounded by terracing. Steps lead up from the main lawn to a wrought iron gate which leads to a more informal wild garden area with varieties of fruit trees, a tulip tree and oaks, completing these lovely gardens.
Duncan Petrie, property agent for Savills in Cranbrook, says: “An elegant country house of excellent proportions with stunning gardens and enjoying far reaching views, Etchinghill is an imposing and yet entirely welcoming property within the parish of Goudhurst.”
Etchinghill is being marketed by Savills with a guide price of £3,350,000. For more details contact Duncan Petrie on 01580 720161.
