The Manor House

High Street, , , CT2 0DH

The Manor House High Street, Fordwich

Canterbury, Kent CT2 0DH

£895,000 Guide Price

Sturry Station 0.5 miles | Canterbury West 2.8 miles Bridge 5 miles | 18.6 miles

PROPERTY The Manor House is a particularly fine period house having been restored to an exceptional standard by Cox Restorations. Wide electronic hardwood gates lead to a charming gravelled courtyard, fully walled garden and a double open bay garage. The property has 4 good size bedrooms and 4/5 reception rooms. This ‘Blue Plaque’ property is very special and is located in the centre of Fordwich which has a vibrant community and is a designated conservation area.

Historical note: The Manor House is officially listed as dating from the 17th Century. However, more recent carbon dating of timbers indicate a date of mid 16th Century. A moulded ‘summer’ beam with the initials ‘M.B.’ forms part of the first floor oversailing. Canterbury City Council awarded a ‘Blue Plaque’ as Alfred Palmer, artist and founder of the East Kent Arts Society, lived here from 1910 to 1951, following which his daughter resided here.

MAIN HOUSE The house is Grade II Listed as being of Special Architectural or Historic Interest and as such offers charming features, having been sympathetically restored to provide modern period living. The accommodation is exceptionally well arranged and offers spacious rooms with plenty of light. Particular features include, original flagstone and wide board oak flooring, leaded light and mullion windows, oak beams including a dragon beam and vaulted ceilings.

MAIN HOUSE (continued) The accommodation flows from the reception hall with a fine wood staircase to first floor. This room shows historical evidence of having been originally two rooms, but now offers a welcoming hall with original flagstone flooring and provides access to the principal rooms. These rooms include a delightful double aspect sitting room (currently used as a study) with impressive dragon beam and inglenook fireplace, a dining room with inglenook fireplace, together with the kitchen/breakfast room (situated in the later Victorian wing of the property) with polished brick floor, beautiful lattice work windows and dark navy blue Rayburn. There is also a small cloakroom in this area. The dining room leads in to the impressive drawing room, this is a marvellous double aspect room, which has a vaulted ceiling, roof lights and a brick hearth with a wood burning stove. Completing the ground floor accommodation there is a garden room/studio, which was formed out of the original stables. This room could be used for a variety of uses.

On the first floor and reached off the natural pine clad landing, stripped doors lead to the principal bedroom suite with ensuite bathroom and walk-in wardrobe. This is a magnificent main suite with wide board oak floor, double aspect leaded light windows and fine exposed timber framing and roof timbers to the vaulted ceilings. Off the landing, there are two further double bedrooms (one of which has a useful cupboard and one which features an inglenook fireplace), together with a main bathroom/shower room. Also reached off the landing, there is a door concealing a further staircase to the second floor fourth bedroom, which has a low door to a snug which oversails above the third bedroom.

GROUNDS AND GARDENS The property is approached off the road by tall electronic hardwood gates opening to a delightful courtyard, which is gravelled and leads to the parking and turning area. The garaging comprises a double open bay and adjoins the garden room/studio. It has a concrete floor, roof storage and covered wood store to the side.

The garden is a wonderful feature of the property, being designed and landscaped to a high standard. It features a sunken garden with pea shingle terrace and a good expanse of lawn with trellising, flower beds and borders, shrubs, bushes, evergreens and mature trees. There is also a fruit and vegetable area with brick and pebble pathways, screened by trellising and reached through an arbour. Two garden sheds.

SURROUNDING AREAS The property is situated in the centre of Fordwich, within the Conservation Area. In the Middle Ages, the River Stour was navigable as far as Fordwich and this town became the Port of Canterbury. Fordwich was later described in the Doomsday book as a ‘small burgh’, one of only seven boroughs in Kent. The River Stour, with its abundance of wildlife and amenities for fishing, walking and pleasure boats is a modern day treasure, much enjoyed by those living close by. With its many fine period buildings, two well-known pubs and its reputation for being the smallest ‘Town’ in , the village really is a gem.

Canterbury itself lies about 2 miles to the West, with its excellent shopping centre, cultural interests, amenities, good range of schools in both the public and private sectors including King’s, St Edmund’s, Kent College and Simon Langton boys and girls grammar schools (as well as Junior Kings at Milner Court, which is within exceptionally easy access). There are also two universities and colleges of further education.

SPORT AND LOCAL AMENITIES Sporting and recreational opportunities in the area include golf at Scotland Hill’s Canterbury, famous Links golf courses at Royal St George’s and Prince’s, Sandwich, sailing on the coast and at the nearby Lakes, county cricket at Canterbury and the Polo Farm sports complex on the Road, just outside of Canterbury for hockey, cricket, tennis and croquet, as well as pleasant walks and rides over the various footpaths surrounding the nature reserve.

COMMUNICATIONS The property is well placed for access to Sturry station (just over 0.5 mile) which provides a rail link to Canterbury West and in turn the HSR service to (St Pancras 53 mins). The property is also well placed for access in to Canterbury along the A28, which in turn links with the A2.

DIRECTIONS From Canterbury take the A257 Sandwich Road towards Wingham and Sandwich. Take the first left immediately after Canterbury Golf Club on to Road. Continue on to the next left in to Moat Lane and at the bottom of the hill follow the road round to the right and immediately to the left. The Manor House is the last property before a sharp left hand turn, being accessed by hardwood gates.

Tenure: Freehold Services: Mains water, electricity, gas & drainage. Gas fired domestic hot water & heating system (services not tested). Fixtures & Fittings: Fixtures & fittings not mentioned in these particulars are not included in the sale, but various items may be available by separate negotiation. Local Authority: Canterbury City Council – 01227 862000 Viewings: Strictly by appointment via Humberts Canterbury EPC Exempt: Grade II Listed

CONTACT Humberts 71 Castle Street, Canterbury, Kent CT1 2QD [email protected] OFFICE HOURS Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm Sat 9am-4pm, Sun 10am-3pm

01227 452780 Note: The location plans are for identification purposes only and should not be relied upon for accuracy. Photographs are not true depictions of fixtures and fittings. humberts.com Wide angle lenses may be used. CAN160054|020616|v1