The HermitageHermitage Lane | Detling | Maidstone | Kent | ME14 3HP

* These comments are the personal views of the current owner and are included as an insight into life at the property. They have not been independently verified, should not be relied on without verification and do not necessarily reflect the views of the agent.

Seller InsightThe Hermitage, a restored 1980s farmhouse, in the Kent village of Detling has been owned by the same family for many years and is currently home to Lance and Tammy-Lyn and their brood of teenagers. “For twelve years the place has offered us a wonderful sense of privacy

and space; the children in particular have enjoyed the freedom to explore and grow within the grounds and the surrounding woodlands and fields” says Lance. The family have enjoyed the best aspects of country life alongside quick and easy access to towns, cities and good travel networks, “Living at The Hermitage is like owning your own private piece of countryside without feeling cut off from civilisation and is an ideal location for anyone wanting to get away from it all, yet still be close to the action” explains Lance.

Detling, just north of Maidstone, is on the historical Pilgrims’ Way and is very much a traditional English village; “Detling has an active Women’s Institute and resident’s association, events and clubs for all ages at the village hall and a church which is key in organising social events” says Lance. The Kent County Showground, which is under a mile away, hosts a varied calendar of events, most notably a large international antiques and collectors fair.

The M20 and M2 motorways are a five-minute drive away and nearby Bearsted has a railway station offering mainline links; direct trains from Maidstone to London Victoria and St Pancras International take just under an hour. Please describe the qualities of the house and garden and why you have found them a pleasure: The house is family friendly and social; the kitchen currently boasts an eight-seater dining table and two rocking chairs which we love to sit in as dinner is cooking. The separate utility and boot and boiler rooms have proved invaluable to a large family. The outbuildings and sheds provide room for everyone to undertake their own projects and the large garden has afforded us space to cultivate a cottage garden and keep poultry.

The lounge, with its wood burning stove, is big, warm and sunny and has views over the front garden; we love spending family time here.

Having woodlands with public footpaths just opposite the front gate is a huge bonus. They are great for dog walking and the spring bluebells here are spectacular.

We’ve enjoyed large BBQ’s, bonfire parties and celebrations, all of which we will cherish as happy memories.

We will mostly miss the wonderful peace and privacy; it has been a delightful place to escape to. Having three teenagers has meant a shift in our priorities – sadly their treehouse building days are over and we are heading for a more urban life.

This substantial four bedroom country home with two bedroom self-contained annexe, sit beautifully within a belt of stunning countryside designated as being an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’

The property affords an enviable arrangement in terms of versatile living accommodation. The principle residence is currently configured as a four bedroom home arranged over two floors. The ground floor boasts two reception rooms, a sizeable kitchen/diner, a separate utility room, boot room and downstairs cloakroom, providing both convenience and practicality. On the first floor a triple aspect master bedroom comfortably affords enough space for the addition of en-suite facilities whilst three further double bedrooms and a family bathroom complete the first floor.

The attached annexe is currently self-contained, however it could easily be integrated should it be required. Arrange over one floor, in its current configuration it provides two double bedrooms, a sizeable kitchen/ diner, lounge and ample sized bathroom.

The home is perfectly positioned within an enviable plot in-excess of one acre. A formal garden surrounds the house/ annexe and provides a considerably large lawned area for the family. In addition to the principle residence there are two sizeable barns, totalling nearly 4000 sq/ft of potential, with one benefitting from its own road access. A workshop and log store provide yet further desirability to the home.

Detling is located just twenty minutes distant by car from Maidstone town centre and is by-passed by the A249 which provides access to the M20 and M2 motorway networks. Detling has a Grade I Listed church, a Tudor gateway which has stood since the time of Henry VIII, a cricket club and a superb public house/restaurant. Maidstone town centre has a wide range of amenities including, shops, restaurants, leisure facilities and schools, as well as easy and quick access to the two mainline train stations providing fast links to London and the Coast.

ENTRANCE Wood effect UPVC door opening to

LOBBY/ENTRANCE HALL Double glazed windows to front. Secondary access door to utility room. Staircase to first floor. Under-stair cupboard and additional storage cupboard. Wood effect flooring. Radiator.

LOUNGE Double glazed windows to rear and French doors and windows to side. Exposed brick fireplace with log burning stove. Exposed wooded beams to ceiling. Fitted carpet. Radiator.

DINING ROOM Double glazed windows to rear and side. Wood effect floor. Radiator.

DOWNSTAIRS SHOWER/CLOAKROOM Double glazed window to rear. Walk in shower enclosure with rain-forest shower head over. Rectangular wash hand basin, stainless steel mixer tap and storage under. Low rise close coupled W.C. Half height tiling to walls. Tiled floor. Stainless steel radiator/ towel rail.

UTILITY ROOM Double glazed window to front, convenience door to front lobby. Stainless steel sink, mixer tap and storage under. Space and plumbing for washing machine. Half height tiling to walls. Wood effect floor.

KITCHEN/DINER Double glazed windows to front, rear and side. Wooden stable door to book/boiler room. Stainless steel sink/mixer tape inset into a roll-top work surface. A range of eye level, draw and base units in-cooperating twin oven, hob with extractor over. Tiled splash back. Tiled floor. Radiator.

BOOT/BOILER ROOM Double wooden doors to front terrace and stable doors to kitchen. Exposed brick to walls. Tiled floor. Space for additional kitchen utilities.

STAIRCASE TO FIRST FLOOR Wooden balustrade and handrail, fitted carpet to stairs.

Step insideThe Hermitage

GALLERIED LANDING Double glazed windows to front. Access hatch to loft. Fitted carpet. Radiator.

MASTER BEDROOM Double glazed windows to front, rear and side. Built in wardrobes. Fitted carpet. Radiator.

BEDROOM Double glazed windows to rear and side. Fitted carpet. Radiator.

FAMILY BATHROOM Double glazed window to side. Corner-fit panelled bathtub. Twin wash hand basins, stainless steel mixer taps and storage under. Low rise close coupled W.C. Half height tiling to walls. Wood effect floor. Stainless steel radiator/ towel rail.

BEDROOM Double glazed window to side. Fitted carpet. Radiator.

BEDROOM Double glazed window to rear. Fitted carpet. Radiator.

ANNEXE

ENTRANCE DOOR Wood effect UPVC door opening to

ENTRANCE HALL Shelved storage cupboard. Access hatch to loft. Wood effect floor. Radiator.

BATHROOM Double glazed window to rear. Walk in shower enclosure. Panelled bathtub. Vanity wash hand basin, stainless steel mixer tap and storage under. Low rise close coupled W.C. Fully tiled walls and floor. Stainless steel radiator/ towel rail.

LOUNGE Double glazed doors to side. Glazed double doors to kitchen/ diner. Wood effect floor. Radiator.

KITCHEN/ DINER Double glazed windows to front and sides. Glazed double doors to lounge. Stainless steel sink/ mixer tape inset into a roll-top work surface. A range of eye level, draw and base units in-cooperating twin oven, hob with extractor over. Integrated washing machine and dishwasher. Tiled splash-back. Tiled floor in kitchen and wood effect floor in dining area. Radiator.

BEDROOM Double glazed window to side and double glazed doors to rear. Fitted wardrobe with over bed storage. Fitted carpet. Radiator.

BEDROOM Double glazed window to rear. Fitted wardrobe with over bed storage. Fitted carpet. Radiator.

DRIVEWAY/ PARKING A metal five bar electronically operated gate leading to a driveway/ parking area dressed in fine shingle. Large enough to park several vehicles. One of the two barns is currently used for garaging and provides enough room to house several vehicles.

GARDENS The principle residence and annexe are surrounded by a formal garden mainly laid to lawn with a range of mature trees and hedges denoting its boarders. To the front of the house is a block/ brick paved terrace area with well stocked beds. A driveway dressed in fine shingle bisects the grounds giving access to a number of outbuildings and enclosed areas suitable for livestock. Additionally there is a large workshop, green house and large log store.

OUTBUILDINGS The two principle outbuildings total 3,753 sq/ft of versatile space. The barn, (1714 sq/ft) is currently being used for garaging. It features a concrete floor, an electronically operated roller shutter entrance door, power and light. The additional barn, (2,039 sq/ft) is made up of a large storage area, two offices, a kitchenette area, and W.C. facilities. On the opposing side of the same building is an area currently being used as a piggery. All with power and light. To the front of this barn is a large lawn area with its own separate road access.

Agents notes: All measurements are approximate and for general guidance only and whilst every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy, they must not be relied on. The fixtures, fittings and appliances referred to have not been tested and therefore no guarantee can be given that they are in working order. Internal photographs are reproduced for general information and it must not be inferred that any item shown is included with the property. For a free valuation, contact the numbers listed on the brochure. Copyright © 2018 Fine & Country Ltd. Registered in England and Wales. Company Reg No. 06959315 Registered Office: Morgan Alexander Kent Ltd (formerly Fine & Country Kent Ltd.) 36 King Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1BS. Printed

THE HERMITAGE

ANNEXE

Fine & CountryTel: +44 (0)1732 222272westmalling@fineandcountry.com28 High Street, West Malling, Kent ME19 6QR