The Old Palace
Exceptional Grade II* listed country residence of historical interest, set in gardens and grounds of about 6.41 acres
The Old Palace is an impressive Grade II* listed home of excellent proportions and historical interest, dating from 1340 with later additions. The house has been the subject of a comprehensive refurbishment and provides versatile accommodation with period character features and contemporary embellishments. Features include high ceilings, exposed timbers, stone mullion windows, old and modern oak internal doors, ground source heat pump, Control4 home automation system, programmable lighting by Philips Dynalite together with a bespoke kitchen by Smallbone and bathroom suites by Villeroy and Boch. The house sits within beautiful established grounds with a two bedroom detached annexe and six bay garaging. In total, the plot amounts to about 6.41 acres.
Historical note: The listing records the oldest part of the house to formally have been the kitchen wing to the long since demolished Archbishop’s Palace. The Palace was used by the Archbishops of Canterbury as a resting place whilst traveling to and from London but was demolished and the material used to build Maidstone Palace. The ruins were restored by the Byng family during the 16th century.
The principal reception rooms provide versatile areas for both formal entertaining and family living. The drawing room, sitting room and family room all have feature fireplaces with wood/coal burning stoves. The drawing room has French doors to the front garden together with a hatch to the cellar. The games room is double aspect and has a fitted media cupboard to one wall.
The impressive triple aspect kitchen/breakfast room is fitted with a comprehensive range of wall and base cupboards by Smallbone, with a matching island unit and integral appliances. There is a door to the rear garden and steps lead down to a door to the garden and the spa and pool.
The principal bedroom suite is located on the first floor and comprises a generously proportioned double aspect bedroom with far reaching views over the gardens and beyond, a well-equipped dressing room and stylish en suite bathroom. There are three further bedrooms on this floor, two served by modern en suite bathrooms and a shower room.
The second floor is approached via two separate staircases. The older oak staircase leads to two bedrooms and an adjoining bathroom with a shower. The second modern staircase leads to a large seventh bedroom with en suite bathroom and shower, a hall storage room and a further room currently being used as a cinema room.
The spa is located over the lower ground floor and comprises a steam room, shower, cloakroom and impressive heated swimming pool with roof lights. There is also a plant room and utility room completing this floor.
The detached annexe comprises a sitting room with fireplace, a well-appointed kitchen/breakfast room, shower room, two bedrooms and a bathroom. The garaging comprises six bays, two with a staircase rising to the first floor storage area which stretches the entire length of the building.
The house is approached via electrically operated wrought iron gates leading over a sweeping stone edged gravel drive culminating to the rear of the house. A turning circle, ample parking, the garage and annexe are located at the rear. The gardens, as a whole, provide an attractive backdrop with wide areas of lawn interspersed by some majestic trees and a variety of shrubs and plants. To one side of the drive is an orchard with plum and apple trees and a mature magnolia to the front of the property. The front and rear gardens are divided by beech hedging and there is a charming stone building providing an outside bar area with two gardeners loos to the rear. To the side of the garaging, there is a part walled area of garden which would suit well as a kitchen garden complete with a tool shed.
Electrically operated wooden gates at the side of the property function as service access. There is a paddock and field to the north and east of the plot which has a separate road access and amounts to about 4 acres.
Sited in the heart of Wrotham village, The Old Palace, has convenient amenities nearby including the village shop, public house, church and primary school and the mainline train station of Borough Green, providing a direct service to London Victoria, is located 0.9 miles away. Additional comprehensive shopping facilities, schools and leisure facilities are all easily accessible.
The Old Palace, Bull Lane is being marketed by Savills with a guide price of £4,250,000.
