Price £775,000
Whether it is the country lifestyle, a place to develop a commercial enterprise or an unusual family home, the accommodation and facilities at Havisham House offer a variety of flexible opportunities. This handsome property was originally constructed in the late Victorian/early Edwardian era with further additions in the 1970s and 80s. It is bordered by tall and impressive specimen trees including oaks, scotch pines and a variety of fruit trees and nestles in the midst of nearly an acre of grounds surrounded by farmland, yet is on a regular bus route and only a half a mile from St Peter’s village. With its ‘in and out’ wood gates and driveway flanked by trees and shrub borders there is plenty of space for off road parking and access to both the residential and commercial aspects of this property. The first thing you notice is the attractive white exterior and the unusual roof lines of the main house, illustrating the changes made during its lifetime. Once inside you can begin to experience the relaxed and friendly ambience of this charming family home. There is wood flooring flowing throughout much of the ground floor and a large dining area with a recessed arch to a lounge and french doors to the rear patio. The lovely light sitting room includes a coved ceiling, a large bay picture window overlooking the front garden and a marble fireplace providing a delightful focal point. The well fitted modern kitchen has a range cooker, an American fridge freezer and other built in appliances as well as attractive curved cupboards at the end of the peninsular unit. There is direct access to the boot room, the rear garden, a large utility room and a downstairs cloakroom that can also be accessed directly from the hallway. You will also find a large store room that could be converted into a lovely conservatory, games room or snug. There is a split level landing at the top of the staircase where you will find a glazed door and external steps down to the garden, a modern family bathroom with a stand alone claw foot bath and steps up to the light and bright private master suite. This has lovely double aspect views across the surrounding countryside, sliding mirrored wardrobes and an en-suite with a double shower. There are two further double bedrooms and a single all with delightful rural views as well as a store room that could be extended to provide additional accommodation if required. There is also an expansive loft space, ideal for storage or possible conversion, subject to necessary planning permission. The main rear garden is primarily a large lawn that is ideal for children to kick a ball around together with mature shrubs and trees. There is a high fence dividing it with the commercial side of the property that you can access around the side of the house. Here you will find some delightful surprises. There is plenty of hard standing for numerous vehicles and a path leading to a charming castellated folly that was built at the same time as the original house. It was used as a therapy/counselling centre for many years and consists of a room on the ground floor and another on the first floor accessed via an external staircase. It is not listed so could be adapted for a variety of purposes, subject to the usual planning permissions and building regulations. The Folly is surrounded by a separate garden that leads to a large L shaped cabin. This includes four rooms, one of which has a kitchenette and double doors to the garden. There are plenty of interesting opportunities for anyone who wants to run a business where they only have to walk across the garden to get to work. Alternatively these buildings could provide unique additional residential accommodation for elderly relatives or adult children or could make unusual holiday lets. (Although at present neither of these two buildings include toilet facilities there is a suite of adjacent portakabin toilets.)
“Havisham House is unique. Its land, of 0.8487 an acre, feels like you’re in the middle of the countryside but are just a stone’s throw from the stunning Broadstairs beaches, town and all the other amenities you could wish for. When I first wandered through the gates I was blown away by the tranquility and the potential of the site. It was clear the house would be a labour of love and has been fully renovated over the years. The task of renovating the outbuildings enabled me to move my therapy business here, and offer attractive rooms to rent. It is extremely unusual to have a site with both personal and business use, providing countless opportunities for the future. Havisham House was to be the forever home, however my personal circumstances changed, and my new chapter draws me closer to family. If I were able to stay there are further improvements I would have made. A fifth bedroom with dormer window, and the downstairs storeroom rebuilt and extended to create a garden room with balcony above (hence the top floor access), making the most of the stunning sunrise and sunsets. I will miss the dawn and dusk chorus, truly there is nothing like it. I adore watching the squirrels acrobat through the trees and being visited by the more unusual like hedgehogs and woodpeckers. It is only a short walk into the friendly village of St Peter’s with its historic church and two village halls as well as a butcher, florist, post office, restaurant and pubs while children can enjoy the nearby skate park. A regular bus service takes you around Thanet on the Loop and the Victorian town of Broadstairs with its lovely promenade and picturesque Viking Bay, is only a short drive. Here you will find the mainline high speed rail service to St Pancras, a wide variety of individual shops, bars and restaurants and a number of annual events such as Folk Week, the Dickens Festival and the Food Fair. There are also excellent education facilities with Outstanding primary and grammar schools as well as first class private schools in the locale. Sporting enthusiasts can enjoy golf at the prestigious North Foreland club and bathers can try surfing in Joss Bay. A number of other sporting clubs are available in and around Broadstairs and for more serious entertainment and retail therapy there is the Westwood Cross shopping centre, cinema complex and casino.”*
23 Watling Street Watling Street
Canterbury
Kent
CT1 2UA
United Kingdom
T: 01227 479317
F: 01227 471146
E: canterbury@fineandcountry.com
4.86 out of 5 - based on 1431 customer reviews
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*Please, note: for security reasons, the maps on this website do not provide the exact location of the property and they are provided solely as an indication of area.