The approval of the High Speed 2 rail link has caused all sorts of debate about its pros and cons, and while you can take a look at our article here about what might happen to house prices once HS2 is finished there is no doubt that it will have a serious impact. That impact, however, might take a while.
When, in December 2009, domestic rail services were first introduced on HS1 — the high-speed line between Ashford International station and London St Pancras — commuting times from Ashford to central London were slashed by more than half, from 84 minutes to only 37 minutes.
At the time, property search agent Colin Mackenzie fully expected to see a surge of activity in the market for country houses in east Kent, an area previously shunned by commuters because of its abysmal rail links with the capital.
‘In reality’, he says, ‘that surge never happened—until now, when buyers are finally waking up to the charms of this part of Kent, which boasts some of the best Georgian houses to be found anywhere in the county.’
'The Mount House, listed Grade II, brings grand country living to town with grace and aplomb'
For sale at a guide price of £3.15m through the Sevenoaks office of Savills, The Mount House at Brasted, near Westerham, offers the convenience of village living and an easy commute from nearby Sevenoaks, with trains to London Bridge and Cannon Street/Charing Cross taking 23 mins and 32 mins respectively.
Set in 5½ acres of park-like gardens, grounds and woodland, which include an avenue of trees bounded by wrought-iron fencing, the Grade II-listed early Georgian house, which dates from 1720, incorporates Regency, Victorian and later modern additions.
With more than 7,000sq ft of interior living space, including four grand reception rooms (an impressive drawing room, an elegant dining hall, a fully panelled library and a charming breakfast room) and bedroom accommodation on two floors, including three bedroom suites, six further bedrooms and four bath/shower rooms, The Mount House, listed Grade II, brings grand country living to town with grace and aplomb.
The home benefits from excellent transport links – just a few miles from Sevenoaks, which will take you straight into London Bridge in less than half an hour.
Credit: ANDY SCOTT / Knight Frank
The magnificent Kent home of the godfather of British children's illustrators
Penny Churchill takes a look at the former home of Randolph Caldecott, one of Britain's greatest-ever illustrators, which has come
Credit: Hadlow Tower (Strutt & Parker)
Britain's tallest Victorian folly is now a glorious tower home that's up for sale
Hadlow Tower in Kent is 6ft taller than Nelson's Column – and while on the outside it's pure gothic fantasy, inside
Credit: Ancona (Savills)
An eco-friendly mansion in Kent that looks like something out of the Hollywood Hills
This dramatic, beautiful home is one of the finest modern homes on the Kent coast – or at least it will
A miniature castle in Kent that sits alongside a magnificent folly tower
In the shadow of one of Victorian England's most famous follies lies a beautiful family home in Kent that is
Credit: (Savills)
A country house whose spectacular walled garden boasts 16th century turrets
Penny Churchill takes a look at Hales Place, a grand home in Kent that's for sale for only the third
Credit: Knight Frank
A Georgian gem that's 'everything a country house should be' has come up for sale in Kent
Penny Churchill looks over a beautiful old house, full of history, which has come up for sale in Kent —
-
The life that thrives among the dead: How wildlife finds a home in the graveyards and churchyards of BritainHome to a veritable ‘Noah’s Ark of species’, thanks to never being ploughed, sprayed or fertilised, our churchyards offer a sacred haven for flora and fauna, says Laura Parker.
-
‘What a shame when a dinosaur disappears into the mansion of an oligarch rather than being displayed for all to enjoy’: The ethics of the dinosaur auctionFancy a stegosaurus in your living room? You can buy one at auction. But the latest luxury good is a paleontologist's worst nightmare.
-
The majestic New Forest estate formerly owned by a billionaire adventurer — famous for driving 'the world's fastest kettle' — has come up for saleGreat estates in the unspoilt setting of the New Forest are always a welcome sight on the market, and Newton Park is a wonderful example with a sad story to tell. Anna White tells more.
-
A Hampshire Manor for sale that dates back to the days of Alfred the Great, with the most beautiful staircase we've seen in yearsThe ten bedroom property features an indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, spa complex and stables, and it was restored by the same architect who worked on Downing Street.
-
The new property hotspots where you can have it all: Beautiful houses, great schools and idyllic lifestyleAcross the country people are selling up and heading to the towns where there's no compromise on dream homes, outstanding schooling and the good life, according to analysis from two of Britain's top estate agents. Anna White explains.
-
Where Venice once ruled: The roving Venetians left handsome imprints across the Greek world, from its religion to its rambling villasMatthew Dennison explores the lingering traces of Venice's vanished empire — and the best places to buy where it once stood.
-
A delightful 16th century home with some of Kent's most beautiful gardens has come on to the marketThe Grange puts the 'garden' into the Garden of England.
-
A pristine Scottish island for sale at the price of a garage in FulhamA dot on the map of the west coast of Scotland has come on to the market, where you'll be surrounded by sea, living off grid and be neighbours with the local seal colony.
-
18 beautiful homes, from charming cottages to a Highland mansion with unbeatable views, as seen in Country LifeOur look at some of the best homes to come to the market via Country Life in the past week includes Georgian manor houses, charming commutable homes and the grandest home in Newcastle.
-
The gorgeous Somerset home of the designer behind one of Glastonbury's chicest spotsThe Manor in Hinton Blewitt is a glorious Georgian home that ticks every box.
