Situated in the sought after Cranbrook School catchment area and located in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Peter Buswell are pleased to offer Little Box Grove which is coming to market for the first time in nearly two decades. A character 4/5 bedroom detached home, which occupies an enviable, elevated rural position and which offers seclusion, peace and country walks, and yet a short distance from the surrounding villages of Hawkhurst, Sandhurst and Benenden. London mainline stations are to be found in Etchingham. A truly lovely character home offering a wealth of features for the discerning buyer.
Thought to have been built in 1934 as part of the Gunther Estate, Little Box Grove has been sympathetically modernised, thoughtfully extended down the years and immaculately maintained to offer every comfort for energy efficient modern living, whilst maintaining its character.
Showing a rare attention to detail and featuring a wealth of bespoke oak carpentry for internal doors, frames, sills and skirting, making for an attractive mellow country character. The entire property benefits from leaded light, lockable fully double glazed units throughout. A further highlight is an attached self-contained office with its own entrance, this space is perfect for multi-generational living, guest accommodation, or even as an income-generating rental.
The property is approached from a quiet lane, onto a drive that rises through a substantial wooden gate to a block paved frontage offering space for several cars, including a power supply for an HEV. For added convenience, there is an oak framed double garage with light and power and the protection of a connection to the main home security system.
The front garden is laid to lawn on both sides and boasts two mature trees as well as easily managed well-stocked flower beds. For those dark nights, there is a discretely fitted motion activated LED floodlight, as well as attractive external lighting under the porch and framing the garage. There is also fully functional antique lamppost at the top of the drive.
Also, outside but hidden from view, are an array of solar panels which top up a ‘smart’ battery (Tesla Powerwall II). This system charges overnight on off-peak electricity and with the support of solar energy, runs the home day and night leading to modest energy bills. It also provides a seamless power backup which is typically good for many hours.
To the side are attractive bespoke railings and a lockable side gate. This leads to the side garden which offers the tranquillity of a well-stocked pond set in an attractive area of slate shale as well as a beautiful mature rose garden.
A side path, laid in attractive Indian sandstone, leads to a rear terrace laid in the same material. This offers a lovely south facing space for alfresco dining and overlooks a modern heated ‘in ground’ pool of a manageable size. An adjacent composite sun deck leads to a beautiful ‘Lugarde’ summer house. This useful indoor space is attractively decorated and benefits from double glazing, power, lighting and heating. There is also a substantial hand built gazebo with an infrared lamp installed for added comfort on cool evenings.
This outside area is one of Little Box Grove’s many attractive features and leads to a ‘zoned’ garden comprising a traditional English Garden with substantial well stocked beds, and an enclosed vegetable patch comprising raised beds and mature fruit cages. The whole was designed and has been maintained with a view to low maintenance. Beyond is a small orchard comprising, apple, plumb, pear, cherry, fig and cobnut trees and having open field views of the Weald.
Hidden within an inspection chamber is a modern treatment plant fitted in 2022. Indeed, the whole garden looks most spectacular at dusk and after dark, with a professionally installed decorative zoned lighting system which brings the whole together. As one might expect, water is laid on at several locations to meet the needs of the garden layout. One of the most arresting features of the main garden is a beautiful mature Sycamore tree. The attractive boundaries are a mixture of Beech, Laurel and fir trees.
Returning up the garden, to the right a substantial and well maintained garden store of the type which can easily house a ride on lawnmower. Next to this, and given the prominence it deserves, is a ‘Hartley Botanic’ greenhouse of attractive design and generous proportions. Having a solid base and half brick walls, this is used to overwinter the many flowerpots which decorate the summer terrace as well as growing tropical plants and soft fruits. Both this space and the garden store benefit from mains power and light connections.
Stepping onto the terrace you are greeted with three double entrances; one to the office/annex, one to the summer room and one to the lower reception room. These are framed by mature Wisteria and Campsis, which flower in the Spring and Summer. The office/annex has the benefit of a physical connection to the main house, whilst being independent from it with separate access. Currently laid out as an office, this space offers annex potential with a kitchen area, as well as heat and water from the main house and a beautiful shower room in which to shower off after using the pool. The office also benefits from a modern air conditioning unit of the ‘inverter’ type which can deliver immediate warmth if required. As with the rest of the property, lighting is from modern style downlighting which provides ample yet discrete illumination where needed.
Leaving the office, across the terrace is the entrance to the summer room. This currently offers a bright space for a large sofa from which to enjoy the terrace flowers, as well as a discreet working space with bespoke desk. Together with the office, this offers scope for home working couples or additional study space. As with the rest of the house, there is ample power and lighting and a well-insulated ceiling boasting tilting roof lights as well as a large fan for the warmest of days.
Through doubles doors to the heart of the house is an immaculate open plan kitchen/dining space of warmth, character and flexibility. A striking feature of the room are the large, glazed floor tiles which create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Key features are a modern log burner situated in an attractive fireplace, a wealth of fitted units with space for a large fridge freezer, fitted dishwasher, a generous island with hob and extractor, and Rayburn oil fired range (fitted 2023). This is fully programable for both hot water and heating, as well as providing a traditional hot plate and double oven. This new addition can also use biofuels. There is also a single back door which leads to a passageway for the office – useful in inclement weather!
Leading off of the kitchen is a fully fitted utility room with a sink and space for both washer and dryer and separate cloakroom.
There are two further doors leading off the dining area, one to the hall and front entrance, and one to the reception rooms. The unique dual level triple aspect living space can be accessed both from the entrance hall and the dining area. One end of the room overlooks the rear lawns and flower beds through opening double doors; the other overlooks a valley planted with an orchard and offers beautiful summer sunsets. This room also boasts an attractive Victorian style fireplace which is fitted with a gas ‘coal effect’ open fire. Both rooms are fully carpeted with beautifully decorated windows which have both blinds and drapes providing a stylish and cosy feel.
From this room you enter the front hall with its travertine stone floor and oak effect double glazed front entrance door, as well as the attractive staircase which leads us to the upper floor. Under, is a useful storage space housing modern fuse panels as well as the control units and wi-fi for the smart electricity system.
Around the galleried landing is a triple aspect master suite with views over the rear gardens, the adjoining paddock and orchard. This bedroom benefits from a walk through fitted dressing area which takes us to an attractively tiled en-suite, tastefully fitted with generous double shower, pedestal washbasin with illuminated unit over, WC with concealed cistern and bidet. There is also under-floor heating and a heated towel rail. The whole being air conditioned for comfort on warmer nights.
The attractively shaped landing area receives light from its own window as well as most of the other rooms. Immediately to the right is a substantial and fully tiled family bathroom. This benefits from underfloor heating, together with a stylish radiator, an attractive shower/bath, fitted sink unit with illuminated cabinet above and a modern WC with concealed cistern. The shower features a pumped high-flow supply to a ‘pancake’ style head, as does the en-suite shower.
From the bathroom and to the right, is a double bedroom which enjoys far reaching views to the South Downs. As with all the other bedrooms it has quality fitted wardrobes, and this room also has the added convenience of a wash basin which sits in a fitted unit.
Leaving this room to the right, a short corridor leads to an impressive large double aspect bedroom with views of the garden and pool area. As well as fitted wardrobes there is a sitting area by the window and fitted dressing table.
Moving on from this room, over the landing we come to the airing cupboard which houses the shower pumps, hot water cylinder with backup immersion heater, alarm battery and copious shelving. To the left we come to another double bedroom overlooking the pool deck. This too has fitted wardrobing and an attractive brick fireplace (no longer in use).
From this room, and returning to the landing and descending the stairs to the hall, where we find control panels for a fully serviced alarm system as well as the central heating. The front door opens onto an attractive raised brick covered porch which overlooks the block paved drive, gardens and the orchards beyond.
