The Old Rectory, Penshurst, Kent
The Old Rectory is an exquisite Grade II listed Queen Anne rectory with beautiful views set in the centre of the historic village of Penshurst in Kent. The house has many fine period features throughout, which are further enhanced by modern styling to create a superb family home, with features including attractive fireplaces, multi-pane sash windows, window shutters, panelling, wide wooden floorboards, high ceilings and column radiators.
The property sits within beautiful established gardens, with lots of light and beautiful views from all aspects, including an outlook towards the church and the adjoining Penshurst Place estate.
A generous reception hall, together with elegant reception rooms, provide excellent areas for formal entertaining. Both the drawing and dining rooms are double aspect with fireplaces, and the study also has a fireplace. The impressive kitchen/breakfast/family room is ideal for everyday living and has a roof light, with views of the church tower and direct access to the garden. The kitchen is fitted with a bespoke range of wall and based cupboards with a matching island unit and appliances including a Heritage Range, along with a twin butler sink and a preparation sink. There is also a walk-in larder, boot room and adjoining utility room with shower and WC.
The lower ground floor comprises a gym, sauna and two rooms with further potential.
Arranged over the first floor are four well-proportioned double bedrooms, three of which have wash basins and the fourth is served by a dressing room and en suite bathroom. A family bathroom completes this floor.
On the second floor upstairs are four further bedrooms, a kitchen and a bathroom, which could serve as a staff or guest suite if required.
There is an outbuilding which provides four storerooms of differing sizes, with potential to convert, subject to the necessary planning consents.
The beautiful gardens provide a wonderful backdrop to the house and walled courtyard behind, with year-round interest. A gravel drive to the front of the house provides parking, with symmetrical topiary shrubs. By the house is a generous south-west facing flagstone terrace providing an ideal area for al fresco entertaining. Within the lawned gardens is an old brick wall with espaliered fruit trees, a further brick wall with deep herbaceous beds and wall flowers, an avenue of pleached lime trees, an ornamental pond, established yew hedging and trees, and many varieties of deciduous trees.
Accessed off the right-hand spur of the drive is the substantial Stable Cottage. This could be useful for either staff or guest accommodation, with a double garage and two apartments. To the ground floor is a one-bedroom apartment, with kitchen/living room and bathroom. Accessed by an external staircase is the first-floor apartment, with two bedrooms, bathroom, sitting room and kitchen/dining room. The cottage is also accessible via its own pedestrian entrance gate.
The Old Rectory is in the picturesque village of Penshurst which is famous for its 14th century stately home, Penshurst Place, once owned by Henry VIII, and benefits from beautiful walks and nature on the doorstep. The parkland of Penshurst Place lies to the north-east with access via a private pedestrian gate from The Old Rectory, and there is also a private gate to the churchyard.
Village amenities include a church, village hall, and Kingdom wellbeing centre with a café and yoga/Pilates studio. There are also tea rooms, a village shop and Post Office, GP surgery, a highly regarded pub and a primary school.
David Johnston, head of residential at Savills Sevenoaks, says: “This is an exceptional example of a Queen Anne former rectory in a beautiful location within this charming, historic village. Its fine period features are perfectly complemented by modern styling to create a superb family home.”
Guide price £5,750,000
