With over 14 acres of land, plus numerous outbuildings-including an oasthouse and Kent barn, Great Budds House is the type of property that screams out for large summer garden parties and entertaining.
Complete with a croquet lawn and a giant chess board in the garden, it's hard not to feel like you've stepped into a scene from Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland.
Currently for sale with Knight Frank at an asking price of £3,500,000, Great Budds House is a beautiful, Grade II listed period property situated in the idyllic rural country setting of Shipbourne, Tonbridge.
The main house is over 5,000 sq ft, spanning three floors, and has retained many period features, including tall ceilings, exposed beams and a traditional Inglenook fireplace in the drawing room.
Being south facing, the house is exposed to lots of natural sunlight and has a large, elegant conservatory to take full advantage of its situation.
Located to the west of the main house is the oasthouse spanning 2,832 sq ft. Traditionally, oasthouses were used for drying hops during the brewing process, with many now converted into living accommodation.
A real space for entertaining, it boasts a swimming pool, billiard room, sauna, changing facilities, two round bedrooms and a (very) well-sized living area.
To the northwest of the house lies a large, timber frame Kent barn which provides an additional 3,000 sq ft worth of space. Framing a courtyard and the croquet lawn sits an additional two further barns and a stables.
Classed as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and located within conservation grounds, this picturesque property sits harmoniously amongst a large, well-established garden, complete with a tennis court a Victorian style greenhouse and 14 acres of rural countryside to get lost in.
Budds House is currently for sale with Knight Frank at an asking price of £3,500,000 — see more pictures or enquire with the agent for further details.
Shipbourne: What you need to know
Location: Shipbourne is a village located between the towns of Tonbridge and Sevenoaks with an approximate 15 -20 minute drive to either town.
Shipbourne is located 6 miles from the neighbouring railway station Borough Green & Wrotham that links to Sevenoaks which has direct train links to London.
Atmosphere: Dubbed the most expensive village to live in Kent, there is a popular local pub/ restaurant and a weekly farmers market.
Things to do: Situated within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, there are plenty of rural walks to enjoy, and the lovely National Trust-run Ightham Mote is close by.
Schools: Shipbourne has its own primary school, Shipbourne County Primary School (rated 'Good' by Ofsted). There's a selection of secondaries in both Tonbridge and not far away in Sevenoaks, while the trio of independent schools at Somerhill are close by in a glorious countryside setting.
Find the best houses for sale in Kent.
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
-
Bank holidays, big churches and which country has the most timezones? Country Life's Quiz of the Day, August 22, 2025Head into the bank holiday weekend bursting with knowledge after Friday's Quiz of the Day.
-
‘Some people find it a bit daunting being faced with a big beast and a couple of utensils’: Mitch Tonks on the perfect seafood platterMitch Tonks creates the ultimate fisherman’s feast using crab, langoustines and of course, oysters.
-
Location, community and charm: the enduring desirability of London's mews housesFrom birds, to horses, to beautiful family homes, the mews of London are some of the nation's most sought-after homes. But why?
-
The distinctive and historic home that might just be 'one of Dorset’s most picturesque'Grade II*-listed Manor House, set in just under eight acres, dates from the 16th century.
-
A 17th century farmhouse in Surrey with one of Britain's oldest squash courtsFords Farm is on the market for the first time in over half a century.
-
The 15 best-value commuter towns for people working in London, according to new research from one of Britain's top estate agentsSavills have released their list of the best-value commuter towns in Britain. But do the sums add up? Toby Keel takes a look.
-
What everyone is talking about this week: Where are the new Cotswolds?The appearance of American Vice President J. D. Vance in the Cotswolds is a sure sign that they're saturated, but where else can you escape to that has the same charm?
-
19 outstanding country homes, from £450,000 to £20 million, as seen in Country LifeA spectacular country house in Yorkshire and an enormously impressive Channel Islands retreat are among the stand-out homes on the market this week.
-
Three homes down by the Thames, perfect for those who love messing about on boatsThis summer’s scorching temperatures will no doubt have endorsed the perennial appeal of Thames-side houses with frontage and private access to the river. Penny Churchill and Toby Keel pick out some prime examples.
-
A pavilion, pool and pleasure gardens at this Devon country house 'with not another building in sight'Ebberly House is a majestic country house in Devon built by one of John Soane's pupils — and as it comes to the market, it's a place Penny Churchill knows well.
