Location

Fordcombe Manor lies within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the small village of Fordcombe which is very well located for commuter links to central London which lies approximately 40 miles to the north. There is a good choice of mainline rail services from Tunbridge Wells (approximately 5.2 miles), Hildenborough (approximately 6.3 miles via the country lanes) or Tonbridge (approximately 7.2 miles) serving London Bridge, Waterloo East, Charing Cross and Cannon Street. Alternatively, Ashurst station is approximately 3.8 miles serving London Bridge.

The pretty villages around Fordcombe include Langton Green, Penshurst and Groombridge which are approximately 2.4 miles, 2.1 miles and 3.4 miles respectively, all offering well-regarded village Primary Schools, a church, some sports facilities and at least one pub. Langton Green and Groombridge both offer good local shopping and there is a popular farm shop between the two and petrol stations at Penshurst and Langton Green.

The well-known spa town of Royal Tunbridge Wells is approximately 5.2 miles, with high street shopping, supermarkets, cinemas, two theatres, cafes, restaurants and many leisure and sporting options. Individual shops and restaurants can be found in the historic Pantiles area on the south side of town, a popular spot known for its summer jazz evenings. Alternatively, East Grinstead is approximately 12 miles to the west offering a good range of amenities and Lewes lies to the south west being approximately 24 miles and close to the renowned opera at Glyndebourne.

Private and state schools: Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Sevenoaks are well-known for their Kent Grammar schools for boys’ and girls’. In addition, there is a wide choice of private options in the area, with preparatory schools at Holmewood House (Langton Green), Rose Hill and The Mead in Tunbridge Wells, and senior schools, including Tonbridge for boys, Mayfield (approximately 13 miles) and Benenden for girls (approximately 26 miles) and co-ed options at Sevenoaks (approximately 11 miles), Eastbourne and Brighton (both approximately 35 miles) and Bedes at Upper Dicker (approximately 26 miles).

Leisure facilities in the area include horse racing at Lingfield Park, Plumpton and Brighton racecourses, golf at the Nevill in Tunbridge Wells, Hever, The Royal Ashdown Forest at Forest Row and the East Sussex National at Uckfield. Historic houses locally include Hever Castle, which has open air theatre productions in the summer, Penshurst Place and Chiddingstone Castle. Water sports include sailing and fishing at Bewl Water near Wadhurst, which also has cycling and walking trails. Gatwick and Heathrow airports are approximately 22 and 42 miles respectively and private jets fly from Biggin Hill.

Description

This stunning restored period manor house comprises a sixteenth century framed structure with an early seventeenth century gabled wing to the right-hand side. The property is Grade II* listed as a grouping of buildings, including the two barns and is set in a commanding elevated position.

Features throughout the house include impressive exposed mellow beams and open studwork, leaded-light mullion windows (some featuring projecting frames) providing good light and distant views in all directions.

There are wide inglenook fireplaces with wood burning stoves to the two principal receptions and an open fire in the reception hall, supplementing the modern central heating system, with its period-style radiators. In the main, there are generous ceiling heights reflecting the status of the house.

Modern adaptations include a beautiful and well-equipped Tom Howley painted kitchen, with white quartz worktops, incorporating an island breakfast bar, Bertazzoni range cooker with halogen hob and concealed extractor above, integrated larder fridge/freezer, dishwasher and warming drawer, drinks' fridge and Quooker tap. There is a mix of timber and attractive red tiled flooring to the ground floor, with modern oak flooring to the kitchen, dining room and the utility room.

The bedrooms are smart throughout with clean lines giving a contemporary twist which nicely complements the period details.

Outside, the house sits within a grouping of period buildings with park-like grounds to the front, right down to the road, including lawn and paddock and a small orchard. The property enjoys an extensive private driveway for parking, accessed through the electric gated entrance from the private approach lane, with a further shared secondary drive, which gives access to the attached cottage.   Behind the house, directly accessed from the kitchen, there is a fine landscaped, brick-blocked, part-walled terrace, leading onto a delightful formal lawned garden with well stocked mature borders.

The principal bedroom is found on the first floor, benefitting from an outlook to the rear of the property together with fitted wardrobes and a Jack and Jill bathroom, fitted with both a bath and separate shower. There are four further bedrooms, two of which enjoy a southerly view, and are served by the family bathroom. The property benefits from a good level of storage throughout, with further storage available in the triple garage.

The lower shared secondary drive, gives access to the neighbouring Oast, part of which forms The Cottage for the Manor House. The Cottage has a stunning view and comprises a sitting room, kitchen/dining room, three bedrooms and a bathroom, together with parking, a garage and a small private garden.   

The thatched barn is an impressive structure used for storage/ garaging and with two attached loose boxes.

The pool house/party barn is a wonderful double height summer entertaining area, with sliding glazed doors onto the sheltered swimming pool, enclosed by walls and hedging. Impressive, with its exposed timber frame and brick block and timber flooring, the pool house provides a kitchen and a mezzanine gallery/stage, with changing room facilities below. There is a tennis court on the raised land by the pool, with a wild flower meadow beyond, leading up to a further lawn, used for football goals etc.

The paddock at the front stretches down to the road, with the public footpath crossing a small area as shown on the land plan.

Directions

Postcode - TN3 0SE. From Tunbridge Wells travelling along the A264 and through Langton Green, turn right onto Ashurst Road (signposted A264) and turn right again onto the Fordcombe Road (B2188).   On entering Fordcombe village, pass the Chafford Arms on the right-hand side, proceed down Spring Hill for approximately 0.4 miles and the driveway to Fordcombe Manor will be on the right-hand side. Continue to the end.