7 bed detached house for sale

Vicarage Road, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells TN4

In a wonderful location within the charm of the old town area of Southborough Common, backing onto Pennington grounds with lovely views of St Thomas' church as well as of the stunning High Weald countryside from the upper floors, an imposing but utterly charming, detached Victorian villa with a bright, welcoming atmosphere. The elegant architecture is typical of the mid- 19th century style, the painted render exteriors and large sash windows are synonymous with the 1860s when the Regency period still held some influence and before the imposing nature of red brick gothic influences took hold. The later additions of very large bay windows to the rear and the conservatory add extra character and even more natural light to the interiors. Internally there are some handsome fireplaces, deep skirting boards, tall ceilings, wide original doors, a fine central staircase and stone steps with a lovely iron handrail down to the lower ground floor. The present owners have carefully maintained and preserved the property, including the meticulous replacement of the individual panes of glass with double glazing within original wooden window frames, ensuring that the house retains many of its original features. They have also carried out major improvements, such as tanking, repairing and reimagining the lower ground floor. Arranged over four floors, the accommodation extends to about 3994 square feet excluding the garage but including the lower ground floor. Stone steps with a glazed canopy over lead to double front doors that open on to the tiled entrance hall and through to the reception hall. The principal family living space is laid out over the ground floor and includes an elegant drawing room where there is a marvellous, large bay window overlooking the rear garden and a handsome fireplace with marble surround, whilst the breakfast/dining room is open to the kitchen forming a fabulous family area and the original butler’s pantry provides practical storage. The atmospheric conservatory is a super place for dining during warmer weather with lovely views of the garden and was probably added during the early twentieth century. Arranged over the upper levels and with stunning views over the Kent countryside are six generous bedrooms – three on each floor - and each with a character and outlook all of its own, supported by three bath/shower rooms. Originally forming what would have been the kitchen and staff rooms for the house, the extensive lower ground floor retains the stone steps down to the lower hallway with some original floor tiles. The present owners have created a fine apartment here with a double bedroom, spacious shower room and an open plan living room/kitchen with an external door to steps leading up to the rear garden. Elsewhere are laundry and boiler rooms, various stores and a shower room for the pool.

Outside

On a quiet, friendly, private road, set well back in a slightly elevated position, to the front there is a wide parking and turning area and access to the attached garage. The total plot extends to about a third of an acre with well-established and landscaped gardens to front and back. To the rear, the southwest facing garden is of a good size with mature planting, colourful herbaceous borders, lawns and terracing with a pizza oven, ideal for outdoor entertaining. The heated swimming pool is enclosed by picket fencing and has its own surrounding terrace. Towards the back of the garden is the vegetable patch and some fruit trees, as well as a shed for storage, a greenhouse and a former Anderson shelter.

Situation

Located a short walk from the shops, pubs and restaurants of Southborough Common, the house is about 2.5 miles from Tonbridge station to the north, from where there are fast, direct services into the City and West End of London in about 45 minutes, as well as to the channel ports on the Kent coast. The towns of Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge provide more comprehensive services, including high street shopping, leisure amenities and out of town retail parks. Sevenoaks town is reached within about 9 miles, to the north, using the A21, which also connects to the national motorway network via J5 of the M25. The area is particularly well served by an exceptional variety of schooling in both the state and private sectors, including primary schools in Southborough and Bidborough, prep schools such as Somerhill, Hilden Grange, Sevenoaks Prep and The New Beacon in Sevenoaks, Holmewood House and Rose Hill in Tunbridge Wells, whilst the house is in the catchment area for grammar schools in Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells with public schools including Tonbridge and Sevenoaks.

Property Ref Number:

Ham-63401

Additional Information

Annex - Additional EPC Rating 76 C

Tenure: Freehold
Services: Mains services.
Private Road Charge: £70 per annum (2025).
Local Authority: Tunbridge Wells District Council. Council Tax – Band G