In the garden of England, Will Peppitt of Savills Country Department is handling the sale, at a guide price of £6.5m, of the impeccably-restored Charlton Court at East Sutton, six miles south of Maidstone.
Originally designed in 1612 by the early English architect, John Thorpe, for Sir Edward Filmer, High Sheriff of Kent, the house was remodelled and extended in Victorian times and sold following the death of Sir Robert Filmer during the First World War.
From 1936, the imposing, 14,800sq ft building, listed Grade II, which stands high on the Greensand Ridge overlooking the Weald of Kent, was adapted for use as a school which closed its doors in 1992. It then stood empty for a time before being acquired by its current owner, who put together an ambitious scheme to convert the main building back into a single residence and restore the historic gardens.
Charlton Court is being sold with some 23 acres of gardens and parkland, with a two-bedroom cottage and additional land available by separate negotiation.
Following the completion of an extensive and sympathetic programme of refurbishment, the main house offers luxurious accommodation on three floors including a reception hall, two main reception rooms, a family room, study, bespoke kitchen and breakfast room, plus a conservatory with doors leading to an outdoor terrace, a gym and a spectacular indoor/outdoor swimming pool complex.
An impressive turned-oak staircase leads to a galleried landing and the two upper floors, where nine bedroom suites are located.
Charlton Court is currently on the market via Savills with a guide price of £6.5 million — see more pictures or enquire with the agent for further details.
Maidstone: What you need to know
Location: About 40 miles from Central London. Train services run from Maidstone to London Victoria, whilst high-speed trains run from Ebbsfleet to London St Pancras in less than 20 minutes, and Eurostar trains run from Ashford.
Atmosphere: Maidstone is the largest town in Kent and provides both local and comprehensive shopping. Further shopping is available at Bluewater Shopping Centre.
Things to do: Take a leisurely river cruise or explore the town by bike or on foot along its many designated trails. Some may wish to explore the 900-year-old Leeds Castle and young families will enjoy the Kent Life Heritage Farm. There's also the award-winning Mote Park which covers over 450 acres of green space.
Schools: There are some excellent options in the area, with Allington Primary School, Maidstone Grammar School for Girls, Maidstone and St John's Church of England Primary School, amongst many others.
See more property for sale in the area.
Credit: Strutt and Parker
Best country houses for sale this week
An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for
-
Graham Norton's elegant East London home hits the market, and it's just as wonderful as you would expectThe four-bedroom home in Wapping should be studied for how well it uses two separate spaces to create a home of immense character and utility.
-
Sign of the times: In the age of the selfie, what’s happening to the humble autograph?When Ringo Starr announced that he was no longer going to sign anything, he kickstarted a celebrity movement that coincided with the advent of the camera phone and selfie. Rob Crossan asks whether, in today’s world, the selfie holds more clout than an autograph?
-
Graham Norton's elegant East London home hits the market, and it's just as wonderful as you would expect
The four-bedroom home in Wapping should be studied for how well it uses two separate spaces to create a home of immense character and utility.
-
About time: The fastest and slowest moving housing markets revealedNew research by Zoopla has shown where it's easy to sell and where it will take quite a while to find a buyer.
-
A wisteria clad hall built by one of the founders of the Bank of EnglandCome for the history of Old Hall. Stay for the interesting interiors.
-
A gorgeous Scottish cottage with contemporary interiors on the bonny banks of the River TayCarnliath on the edge of Strathtay is a delightful family home set in sensational scenery.
-
Six rural properties with space, charm and endless views, as seen in Country LifeWe take a look at some of the best houses to come to the market via Country Life in the past week.
-
380 acres and 90 bedrooms on the £25m private island being sold by one of Britain's top music producersStormzy, Rihanna and the Rolling Stones are just a part of the story at Osea Island, a dot on the map in the seas off Essex.
-
A home cinema, tasteful interiors and 65 acres of private parkland hidden in an unassuming lodge in KentNorth Lodge near Tonbridge may seem relatively simple, but there is a lot more than what meets the eye.
-
A rare opportunity to own a family home on Vanbrugh Terrace, one of London's finest streetsThis six-bedroom Victorian home sits right on the start line of the London Marathon, with easy access to Blackheath and Greenwich Park.
