5 bedroom detached house for sale

A significant portion of a fine Georgian country house with around 1.5 acres and wonderful views. The property is on the open market for the first time in many years and situated in one of the areas most sought after rural locations accessible to central Wadhurst.
Freehold



Courthopes forms a major part of the main house on the old Whiligh estate in Wadhurst. The estate belonged to Lord George Courthope, a Justice of the Peace, M.P. For Rye, Baronet and Peer and has been in the Courthope family for several centuries. The Grade II* Listed country house is predominantly Georgian, although the original house was erected in 1586. It was divided in the mid 1980s to provide two houses, Courthopes forming the western portion. The estate is renowned for its magnificent array of oak trees, timbers from which were most notably used in the construction of the roof of Westminster Hall and again in its reparation after World War II. The property boasts many desirable features including high ceilings, oak panelling, fireplaces, bay windows, period radiators and a substantial cellar. It enjoys an elevated parkland setting off a long private driveway with ample parking in addition to a detached double garage.

Solid oak front doors open into the 19th Century gabled entrance porch, with a further oak door opening into the dining hall.

The impressive dining hall features oak panelling, floor boards, window shutters and box beams to the ceiling. The bay window to the front and leaded light casement to the side provide natural light. There is an open fireplace with stone surround, wooden mantle and woodcarving above. Concealed behind doors in the panelling are two storage cupboards and a door to the side entrance hall, leading through to the utility room and water closets. A staircase ascends to the first floor landing with useful storage cupboard beneath. A hatch in the floor opens to reveal a wooden staircase that descends to the cellar.

The handsome drawing room has almost full height shuttered windows and a set of French doors leading out onto the terrace to the side of the property with views over the private grounds. This room also has an open fireplace, deep skirting boards and decorative cornicing.

The kitchen/breakfast room has a shuttered bay window to the front and fitted bookshelves along one wall. The kitchen is fitted with a range of wooden fronted wall and base units with worktops over including a large central island. Incorporated within the kitchen are two stainless steel sinks, a 2 door Aga, Miele dishwasher, 4 ring gas hob and undermount oven by Neff. This room also has boxed beams to the ceiling.

The utility room has antique twin sinks by John Bolding & Sons, Grosvenor Works, London set within a marble top and two water closets (one Royal Doulton).

There are three principal bedrooms on the first floor, with a laundry room having the potential for use as a fourth bedroom and a further bedroom on the second floor. Two bathrooms and a shower room serve the bedrooms.

Bedroom 1 has built-in wardrobes and shuttered sash windows overlooking the grounds to the side of the house and beyond with far-reaching views towards Wadhurst church. Bedroom 2 has colour washed panelling with built-in wardrobe and a shelved cupboard. It also has a feature fireplace, bay window with views over the estate to the front and a partially domed ceiling. Bedroom 3 also enjoys a view over the parkland to the front of the house and has built-in wardrobes and a fireplace.

The laundry room has a butler sink and space/plumbing for a washing machine and tumble dryer.

The second floor bedroom has a dormer window providing an exceptional view to the front of the house, a fireplace and a door into the attic storage space.

Outside The property is accessed via a long private drive and has a gravelled parking and turning area to the side of the house, with a central fountain and detached double garage. The private grounds comprise an area of woodland including some of the estate’s beautiful mature oaks and a gently sloping lawned garden.

To the side of the house is a paved terrace with doors into the drawing room and side entrance hall. There is a summerhouse and garden shed, both of which have power and lighting.

Situation Courthopes in located approximately 1.5 miles south-east of the popular village of Wadhurst, which is an excellent source for local amenities. • Comprehensive shopping: Tunbridge Wells (about 9 miles). • Schools: There are a number of highly regarded schools and colleges in the area. • Mainline rail service: Stonegate mainline station (about 2.5 miles) has trains to London Bridge, Charing Cross and Cannon Street. • Communications: The property is about 4.5 miles west of the A21 at Flimwell. From the A21 one can travel south to the coast or north to join the M25 and thereby the national motorway networks, Heathrow and Gatwick airports.