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
-
Six beautiful homes around the world, from Portofino to Provence to Palm BeachAn exquisite villa tucked into a hillside? A A breathtaking apartment created to make you feel like you're flying through the endless blue skies?
-
The 'greatest battle for 300 years': England's great estates face up to a green futureThe climate crisis will affect us all. All over Britain, major landowners are stepping up to tackle a warming world and biodiversity loss.
-
Six beautiful homes around the world, from Portofino to Provence to Palm Beach
An exquisite villa tucked into a hillside? A A breathtaking apartment created to make you feel like you're flying through the endless blue skies?
-
An idyllic home where the forest meets the sea, for sale for the first time in over half a centuryLittle Aston is a graceful, charming home with superb gardens and its own orchard, as well as some of the south coast's most beautiful areas right on its doorstep. Penny Churchill takes a look.
-
'Just look at those stairs. Just as an art form, they are bewitching, like the shell of a nautilus': The lure of buying a stairway to heavenIt seems like madness to buy a house purely because you fall in love with the staircase — but sometimes, they are simply so beautiful that it's impossible to resist. Toby Keel takes a look at some glorious examples of staircases we've seen in Country Life in the last couple of years.
-
A one-of-a-kind waterfront estate with two private beaches is for sale on the same storied American island that Jackie Kennedy, the Obamas and Princess Diana have all visitedBeach Farm on Martha’s Vineyard — a favourite summertime holiday destination with prominent American families — is a perfect melding of New England and Scandinavian design styles.
-
The architect who created the MI6 building only designed a tiny handful of houses — and one of them is now up for sale in one of London's most bucolic spotsSir Terry Farrell designed the beautiful, light-filled, T-shaped Drum House in Petersham, with gardens laid out by John Sallis Chandler, who has won multiple RHS Chelsea Flower Show gold medals.
-
'True waterfront homes are finite... miss one and it could be years before you see another like it again': Why the best waterfront property always hits the spotThere’s no denying the appeal of waterfront property, which now sells for some 51% more than its inland equivalent, finds Knight Frank. Annabel Dixon explores the shore.
-
19 charming homes for sale, from picture-perfect cottages to beachside retreats, as seen in Country LifeThis week's selection of some of the best homes to come to the market via Country Life this week.
-
Tim Burton is selling the house he shared with Helena Bonham-Carter, a sublime home on the Thames that comes with three private islandsMill House in Sutton Courtenay, Oxfordshire, might just be the perfect English country home.
