11 bed detached house for sale

Vicarage Road, Yalding, Maidstone, Kent ME18

Cheveney was built in the latter part of the 17th Century. The property was extended in the 19th Century and restored in the early part of the 20th Century. It has long played a part in the life of Yalding village, notably from the late 19th century until the early 1950s, when the estate was owned, firstly, by Col Arthur Borton, who inherited from his father, Gen Sir Arthur Borton, a distinguished soldier who was Governor of Malta from 1878 to 1884. Gen Borton was succeeded at Cheveney by his son, Amyas, known as Biffy, a pilot who became an air vicemarshal. Over the course of the last twelve months, the current owner has undertaken a comprehensive modernisation project, resulting in Cheveney now providing magnificent family accommodation set in an idyllic rural position, yet in easy access to all road and rail services. With almost 11,000 sqft of accommodation in the main house alone, there are five elegant reception rooms accessed primarily from the great hall and eight-bedroom suites above.

Cheveney is an exceptional home of rare scale and elegance, offering a beautifully arranged layout that blends grand entertaining spaces with refined everyday living. Set across two extensive floors, the property showcases a superb balance of formal reception rooms, relaxed family areas, and generous private accommodation.

The ground floor delivers an impressive sequence of reception spaces designed for both luxurious entertaining and comfortable family life. Upon entering, you are welcomed into a spacious central hallway that acts as the gateway to the principal reception rooms.

The expansive kitchen/breakfast room serves as a warm and inviting hub to the home, with ample room for dining as well as a family area for entertaining. It offers an array of excellent ancillary areas, including a utility room and pantry. The playroom and the three-bedroom ground floor apartment for staff or multigeneration living is accessed from this space too.

Adjacent to the kitchen, the elegant dining room provides a distinguished setting for formal dining, perfectly positioned with fantastic views out of the gardens. The magnificent drawing room follows with its beautiful inglenook fireplace and high ceilings creating a sense of grandeur that offers an ideal spot for both large gatherings and intimate evenings. In the oldest part of the house, two charming sitting rooms offer flexible areas ideal for a home office and snug. Two cloakrooms complete the downstairs accommodation.

The first floor provides an exceptional breadth of accommodation, offering comfort, privacy, and versatility for family and guests alike. The generous landing leads to a collection of substantial six spacious bedrooms in the main wing of the house, all benefiting from recently refurbished en suite bathrooms. Arranged throughout the first floor, each generously sized and thoughtfully designed, they all benefit from either dressing areas or fitted wardrobes. The secondary staircases and landings add a sense of distinction between the different wings of the house, making the arrangement particularly well suited to multi generational living or the inclusion of private guest or staff quarters. The north wing offers a further two bedrooms, each benefiting from en suites and a dressing area.

Lot 2 - Available by separate negotiation
In addition to the principal house, if you wish to purchase the wider Cheveney estate, this could be acquired by separate negotiation. Extending to approximately 11.78 acres (totalling 18.75 acres), the estate includes two beautifully modernised three bedroom cottages, pool, pool house with potential planning opportunities, a well maintained tennis court, and an impressive glasshouse. Complementing the residential and recreational elements is an extensive selection of garages, carports, storerooms, and log stores, providing outstanding versatility and practical support for estate management.

Cheveney is set on the edge of Yalding village with its village shop, post office, pubs, pre-school, primary school and doctor's surgery.

Comprehensive Shopping: Maidstone (5.9 miles), West Malling (7.8 miles), Tonbridge (9.3 miles). Tunbridge Wells (11 miles).
Mainline Rail Services: Paddock Wood (5.3 miles) to London Bridge/Cannon Street/Charing Cross.

Primary Schools: Yalding, Laddingford and Collier Street.

Grammar Schools: Maidstone - Maidstone Grammar School, Maidstone Grammar School for Girls, Invicta Grammar School, Oakwood Park Grammar School. Tonbridge - Tonbridge Grammar School, Weald of Kent Grammar School, The Judd School. Tunbridge Wells - Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys, Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School, The Skinners' School.

State Schools: Maidstone, Tonbridge and Paddock Wood.

Private Schools: The Preparatory Schools at Somerhill. Hilden Grange in Tonbridge. Sutton Valence. Tonbridge and Sevenoaks. St Helen's Montessori at East Farleigh. Benenden and Dulwich Prep at Cranbrook.

Leisure Facilities: David Lloyd Health Club at Kings Hill. Leisure centres in Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and Maidstone. Poult Wood Golf Course in Hadlow, Kings Hill Golf Club and West Malling Golf Club.

Motorway Links: The M20 and M26 at Wrotham Heath gives access to the M25, Gatwick and Heathrow Airports and the Channel Tunnel Terminus.

All distances are approximate.