Seal Chart, Sevenoaks, TN15

With fabulous far-reaching views over local countryside to the North Downs, an atmospheric, Grade II Listed house of great charm and character, retaining many fine period details and set within glorious gardens restored to Gertrude Jekyll’s original designs. The property is believed to have originally been three cottages, the first possibly dating back to the sixteenth century and the subsequent two added in the following two centuries. In 1911, a significant programme of alterations included creating a single
dwelling and incorporating elements of Edwardian architectural design with the character features of
the earlier structures. Now Listed Grade II, the house has all the allure one would hope to find in such a romantic and evocative property and has a spacious layout arranged over two floors. A warm and welcoming atmosphere pervades throughout the characterful accommodation, which extends to approximately 3,086 square feet. The handsome exteriors have elevations of stone and red brick dressings with tile hanging to the first floor under a tall, pitched peg-tiled roof, while the windows are
multi-pane casement windows that perfectly frame the marvellous outlook over the gardens and beyond.

Internally, there are exposed oak beams to some ceilings and walls, stripped pine doors and quarry tiled floors and a variety of fireplace styles that include a fine inglenook in the drawing room. There are three receptions rooms, each with individual character, providing more formal space in the drawing room and cosiness in the morning room with its wood-burning stove. The farmhouse style kitchen/breakfast room is sympathetically furnished with a range of vintage wooden floor and base units with scrubbed timber work surfaces, a Belfast sink and an electric, four oven Aga. A separate walk-in larder plus utility/boot room has ample space for laundry and boot storage alike.

Outside

The gardens are breath-taking. Gertrude Jekyll was commissioned to design the gardens in 1911. Described as a ‘premier influence in garden design’, Jekyll designed over 400 gardens in Britain and the USA – with this garden being one of them. When our clients came to live at the property almost 40 years ago, there was little sign of the Jekyll layout, but, understanding its historical significance, they determined to restore the gardens to their former glory. A period of meticulous research and sleuthing followed, with the help of Jekyll experts in the UK and The University of California, Berkeley where the original garden designs are held. Herbaceous borders were dug and many, many varieties of
plants, shrubs and trees were sourced and planted as Jekyll had suggested. The results are simply stunning. Borders are deep and symmetrical with waves of colour sweeping throughout the seasons, hedges are neatly trimmed adding a sculptural quality and beautiful roses scramble over a sturdy pergola. The cottage garden now unfolds with stunning azaleas in early May followed by irises, roses and peonies later that month and into June and on through the summer with phlox, heleniums, leucanthemums and red-hot pokers keeping the colour coming. Swathes of well-tended, level lawn sweep through while stone terracing adjoins the house providing a marvellous spot for sitting to enjoy the gardens. Detached from the house is an attractive stone and brick garden room with a lovely old climbing rose over the door. This is currently used as a candlelit outdoor dining room. There is also a productive kitchen garden, an orchard and tennis court. Covered parking is provided by a detached double garage, whilst further outbuildings include a garden machinery storage building and stable. The paddock is peppered with mature trees including an old tree trunk which now houses an owl box and an area of light woodland at the far end.

Situation

Set within the Kent Downs Natural Landscape, the house is about 1.4 miles from the charming village of Seal with its range of local shops and restaurants as well as the Wilderness Golf Club. The house is well-positioned to enjoy all that historic Sevenoaks (3.5 miles) has to offer, as the thriving and popular town has a comprehensive selection of shops, restaurants and supermarkets together with sporting,
leisure and arts facilities, including the Stag Theatre. Fast train services into the City of London and the West End as well as to the ports can be found at Sevenoaks Station, whilst the national motorway network can be accessed at Junction 5 of the M25. The area is renowned for an excellent selection of schools, at primary and secondary levels, in both the state and private sectors, including the nearby
local primary schools, grammar schools for boys and girls in Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells, noted independent schools including Sevenoaks and Tonbridge public schools, Walthamstow Hall School for Girls, Radnor House, as well as prep schools such as The New Beacon, Granville, Solefields and Sevenoaks Prep.

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Additional Information

Tenure: Freehold
Services: Mains water and electricity; oil fired central heating; Shared private drainage.
Local Authority: Sevenoaks District Council. Council Tax Band H
Agent’s note: A public footpath crosses the bottom of the far paddock.