The Old VicarageUpper Street | Hollingbourne | Maidstone | Kent | ME17 1UJ

The Old VicarageThis extremely attractive period property sits in a wonderful location in the heart of the pretty village of Hollingbourne. “The previous owner of The Old Vicarage had lived in the property for fifty years or so,” says Julie, “so when we heard that it was about to come onto the market we saw it as a unique opportunity to own a beautiful property that hadn’t been available for quite some time.”

“When we bought the house we obviously knew that it was in need of some TLC,” says Mark, “but when we began the process of bringing it back to its former glory, we kept unearthing more and more elements that needed attention, so it turned out to be a complete renovation.” “We rewired, re-plumbed, replaced sections of the roof, the list goes on,” says Julie, “but we were also able to slightly change the layout to make it more conducive to family life. We converted three smaller rooms into a lovely, open-plan kitchen and family room, which is duel aspect, so as well as being very spacious it’s also wonderfully light and bright; it’s a great family space.” “I suppose the kitchen has become the hub of our home,” says Mark, “but the rest of the house works extremely well as each room has a definite purpose, so we use the whole of the house all the time. We use the family room during the early evening, the main lounge later on, and if we want to settle down and watch a movie we have the entertainment room.” “It’s a house that fits the bill perfectly in terms of family living,” says Julie. “The rooms are spacious enough for us all to come together and not feel on top of one another, but there’s also room to go off and find your own space.”

“When we moved here the garden was three-feet high in weeds and quite dark because of some very overgrown trees,” says Julie, “but we were able to get permission to take the most imposing trees down, so it’s now a lovely, open space that offers seclusion and yet has views toward the beautiful North Downs.” “It’s arranged over two levels,” says Mark, “one of which used to be a tennis court. We had always seen it as the perfect place to put a swimming pool.”

“We love the location of the house,” says Julie, “and we were actually already living in the village when we bought The Old Vicarage, so we’ve been here for some time. It’s great because we have two very good foodie pubs, both of which are inviting and friendly, a small shop and a mainline station, which is very handy. It’s also a lovely area for walking as we’re close to The Pilgrim’s Way, which takes in the beautiful countryside of the North Downs.”

“This has been such a lovely home for us all,” says Julie, “and I think what I’ll miss most about it is the space. It’s great to have such a big property, but without acres of land to look after. It’s also wonderful to have nice facilities on the doorstep and to be so close to the countryside. In my mind it’s the perfect family set up.”*

* These comments are the personal views of the current owner and are included as an insight into life at the property. They have not been independently verified, should not be relied on without verification and do not necessarily reflect the views of the agent.

The Old Vicarage is a Grade II Listed home superbly located in the heart of this idyllic Kentish village, close to the church, village pub and a short walk from the village shop and mainline rail station. The motorway network is easily accessed and the Ebbsfleet high speed rail terminus is within a comfortable driving distance. The property itself is a former vicarage that has enjoyed comprehensive and sympathetic enhancements, creating a quite wonderful family home.

The ground floor is currently configured with a large lounge, a panelled dining room, a spacious study and a family room. Beyond the exceptional kitchen breakfast room is a utility room, a walk-in larder, the former butlers pantry (now used as a small gym) and a cellar. The bedrooms are arranged over the two upper floors and are served by two sumptuous en suites and an equally impressive family bathroom.

MAIN ENTRANCE Wooden entrance door opening into porch.

PORCHSash window to side. Tumbled limestone flooring. Glazed inner door to hallway. Ornate radiator.

HALLWAY Original entrance door and leaded windows to front. Ornate radiators. Original wood flooring.

GROUND FLOOR W.C. Sash window to side. Low level W.C. Wall hung wash hand basin. Ornate radiator. Limestone floor.

LOUNGE Double aspect with sash windows to side and French doors with flank windows opening onto the rear garden. Corniced ceiling. Stone fireplace surround with wood burner. Ornate radiators. Fitted carpet.

DINING ROOM Currently configured as a TV/entertainment room (installed equipment including surround sound system available subject to negotiation). Sash window to front. Wood panelling to walls. Ornate radiators. Fitted carpet.

STUDY Double aspect with sash windows to side and front. Built-in storage and book shelves. Ornate radiator. Fitted carpet.

FAMILY ROOM Sash windows to front and French doors to side. Corniced ceiling. Fireplace surround with open fire basket. Tumbled limestone flooring with under floor heating.

KITCHEN/BREAKFAST ROOM Sash and casement windows to side. Ceramic sink with boiling water tap set within quartz work surfaces. Range of cupboard and drawer base units. Integrated dish washer and wine cooler. Range of upright cabinets housing electric oven plus microwave/grill. Integrated twin fridges. Central island and breakfast bar with further electric oven and inset five zone induction hob. Sonos sound system. Tumbled limestone floor with under floor heating.

LARDER Casement window to rear. Storage shelving. Terracotta floor tiles.

UTILITY ROOM Casement window to rear. Plumbing for automatic washing machine. Space for tumble dryer and further appliances. Pressurised water cylinder. Wall mounted gas fired boiler. Terracotta floor tiles.

CELLAR Of low height. For storage only.

REAR PANTRY Currently used as a small gym. Sash window to rear. Period range (not in operation). Tumbled limestone floor with under floor heating.

LOBBY Part glazed door to garden. Tumbled limestone floor with underfloor heating.

STAIRS TO FIRST FLOOR Fitted carpet. Hand rail and balustrade.

LANDING Sash window to front. Ornate radiators. Fitted carpet.

MASTER BEDROOM Sash windows to front. Radiators. Fitted carpet.

MASTER DRESSING ROOM Sash windows to side. Built in laundry storage. Open fronted wardrobes.

MASTER EN SUITE Sash windows to two sides. Tiled shower enclosure. Low level close coupled W.C. Free standing oval bath with mixer taps and hand shower. Twin circular wash hand basins set on a stone counter with storage below. Stone flooring with under floor heating. Heated towel rail.

BEDROOM Dual aspect with sash windows to side and rear. Corniced ceiling. Radiator. Fitted carpet.

EN SUITE Sash window to side. Tiled shower enclosure. Low level close coupled W.C. Wash hand basin with vanity cupboard below. Radiator. Slate tiled floor.

BEDROOM Sash window to front. Radiator. Fitted carpet.

BEDROOM Sash window to front. Radiator. Fitted carpet.

FAMILY BATHROOM Sash window to rear. Tiled shower enclosure. Low level W.C. Pedestal wash Hand basin. Radiator/heated towel rails. Freestanding bath with mixer taps and hand shower. Stone flooring.

STAIRS TO SECOND FLOOR Fitted carpet. Hand rail.

BEDROOM Dormer windows to front. Fitted carpet.

LOFT ROOM/POTENTIAL FURTHER BEDROOM In need of refurbishment. Dormer windows to front. Fitted carpet.

FRONT GARDEN Laid to an attractive lawn with well stocked borders. Wall and hedging to front boundary providing privacy.

REAR GARDEN Affording views toward the North Downs. Paved terrace. Shingled bed with circular well opening. Large split level lawn areas (the rear area being a former tennis court). Ornamental fish pond. Several varieties of established trees. Brick built storage shed/log store (to side). Fenced, walled and hedged boundaries.

DRIVEWAY AND PARKING Accessed via remotely operated gates. Generous parking/driveway area for several vehicles.

Agents notes: All measurements are approximate and quoted in metric with imperial equivalents and for general guidance only and whilst every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy, they must not be relied on. The fixtures, fittings and appliances referred to have not been tested and therefore no guarantee can be given that they are in working order. Internal photographs are reproduced for general information and it must not be inferred that any item shown is included with the property. For a free valuation, contact the numbers listed on the brochure. Printed

EPC Exempt - Grade II Listed

Fine & Country West Malling 28 High Street, West Malling, Kent ME19 6QR

Tel 01732 222272