A substantial handsome, classically proportioned Grade II listed Edwardian country house, in 4 acres (tbv) in an elevated position with views across Rye Bay & Romney Marsh. Beautifully presented spacious accommodation, 4 reception rooms, bespoke kitchen/breakfast room, 11 beds, 7 bath/shower rooms.
Saltcote Place is a substantial handsome, classically proportioned Grade II listed Edwardian country house set in approximately 4.5 acres of gardens in an elevated position on a quiet private lane backing on to open countryside enjoying views across Rye Bay and Romney Marsh to the south east Kent coast, on the rural fringes of the village of Playden, only a 10 minute walk from the ancient Cinque port town of Rye.
The beautifully presented spacious, versatile accommodation, is arranged over three primary floors along with lower ground floor and Tower room, comprising a reception hall, four principal reception rooms, bespoke kitchen/breakfast room as well as ancillary kitchen, laundry room and cloakrooms, eleven bedrooms and seven bath/shower rooms, including a very comfortable three bedroom penthouse suite.
Approached over an extensive tree lined driveway and enjoying landscaped gardens and grounds extending to around 4.5 acres. The house enjoys outstanding panoramic views, The house enjoys outstanding panoramic views, the white cliffs of Dover can be seen at 27 miles distant to the east and the start of the Firehills at Fairlight to the west.
Location: Playden is mentioned in the Domesday Book, but occupation can be traced back some 4,000 years. Playden's main occupation was fishing, the fish were salted in a one-time settlement known as Salt Cod (Salt Cote). Saltcote Street is now all that remains. Nearby Rye, a fortified hilltop town, once surrounded by the sea, played an important role in the defence of the south coast of England, the ancient buildings, cobbled streets and secret passages, once the haunt of smugglers and highwaymen, now regularly attract film crews in search of historical settings for period productions.
Many authors, musicians, artists and celebrities have made Rye their home, a medieval haven periodically visited by Royalty. In 1573 the title "Rye Royale" was bestowed upon the town by Queen Elizabeth I after a three day stay.
Locality: Although Playden village now only provides a couple of welcoming historic country inns, shopping facilities are to be found in nearby historic Rye. Further afield, Ashford, some 20 miles away to the east and Hastings and Bexhill some 10miles to the west, offer a wider variety of 'in and out' of town shopping centres, supermarkets, theatres, cinemas, restaurants and bars.
For the commuter Rye railway station (some 1 mile away) provides a service eastwards, via Ashford International to St. Pancras in London and to Europe, whilst London Bridge, Waterloo, Charing Cross and Cannon Street can be accessed via the Hastings & Eastbourne line to the west or Headcorn to the north.
The Motorway network (M20) can be easily accessed at Junction 9 or 10 near Ashford or Junction 5 (M25) near Sevenoaks via the A21.
Kent and East Sussex are renowned for the quality, choice and commitment to excellence of its educational system in both the public and private sector. Noteworthy schools in the area include: Claremont Independent School, Buckswood, Vinehall, Battle Abbey and the Ashford Grammar Schools. Saltcote Place is also well placed for Benenden(girls) and Tonbridge(boys), Eastbourne College, Sutton Valence and King's School, Canterbury.
Saltcote Place History: Saltcote Place was designed in the Queen Anne Style by the eminent British architect, Sir Reginald Blomfield and completed in 1905 as a wedding present for a member of the Hennessy family. It is believed that the late Queen Mother spent happy times here with the family between the Wars and awarded a royal cypher, which to this day can be seen above the portico leading into the entrance vestibule. Historically the house has been used as a Military headquarters, three times as a School, the first being in 1922 and finally as a nursing home before being returned to private ownership in 2003. Having been extensively refurbished by the current vendors to the highest standard, it has more recently been an exclusive award winning wedding venue and two guest suites. Saltcote really is the ideal for hosting guests and/or family and has adequate facilities for staff accommodation.
Description: Saltcote Place was built in a Neo-Caroline (Queen Anne) style, in red brick with plastered dressings and Welsh slate and tiled roofs; predominantly 2 storeys with attics and tower, along with an L-plan service wing projecting to the left with cornice, ramped parapets, globe finials at the corners and with large square stack on one corner. The entrance features double half-glazed doors with transom light over and projecting columned portico with large segmental open pediment above, the roof balustrade and cupola are both visible from the entrance The rear elevation features a full width single-storey loggia/verandah of 5 bays with Doric columns and balustrade over and two storey flat-headed rounded bays with stone and brick chequer between floors to the sides. Internally many rooms feature various neo-Adam fireplaces.
The grounds extend to approximately 4.5 acres (tbv), including beautiful gardens, featuring pretty borders, terraces for outdoor entertaining and a partially walled garden. The terrace provides stunning vistas to the south and east.
Approach: The house is approached along its own lane then through the first pair of matching pillars opening onto a lime tree lined drive, bordered by lawns to both sides. Once near the house the first of a matching pair of gilded iron gates with matching pillars welcome you as you enter the grounds and turning circle. The current owners have hosted a few weddings each year and comfortably park around 70 cars in the main drive behind the trees out of sight of the weddings.
Ground Floor Summary:
Entrance Vestibule, Impressive galleried and panelled Reception Hall. Drawing Room, Dining Room and Music Room, all with doors out to the Loggia/Verandah and enjoying views to the coast. Morning Room, spacious Cloakroom with two WCs, Side Hall, bespoke Kitchen/Breakfast Room, Ancillary Kitchen, Laundry Room, Garden Store and Store Room (with walk in safe). Attached unconverted three-room 'Range' with excellent potential as staff accommodation or gymnasium.
Ground Floor:
Situated off the main reception hall are three south facing, well proportioned reception rooms, ideal for entertaining and socialising, all with doors leading out to the Loggia and manicured formal gardens. The Morning Room, ideally suited as an office/study is equipped with modern network facilities.
The superbly appointed bespoke kitchen/breakfast room has been fitted to an unsurpassed standard with painted oak units, luxurious granite worktops, a Lacanche Chalonnais oven and dual dishwashers. Fruit fridges, integrated Fridge Freezer and integrated smart oven. The extensive domestic facilities also include a good size laundry and further well-equipped ancillary kitchen. This kitchen includes a fridge and 6 grid Rational oven with professional extraction over.
Close to the kitchen, but not used by the current vendors is the "Range"; a suite of 3 rooms with excellent potential as separate staff accommodation or a gymnasium. There is a working lift giving access to the upper floors.
First Floor Summary
A wide elegant staircase leads to the spacious galleried Landing, giving access to 8 Bedrooms, 6 Bathrooms and enjoying stunning far reaching views from all bedrooms.
First Floor:
On the first floor there are a total of 8 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms. Three of the principal bedrooms open on to the south facing balcony offering stunning coastal views, overlooking the gardens. The largest of the 3 bedrooms is currently used as a spacious sitting room. The bath and shower rooms have all been recently refurbished with stylish suites and contemporary finishes.
Second Floor Summary:
Second Floor Apartment: Sitting/Dining Room, Kitchen/Breakfast Room, 3 Bedrooms, Bathroom, Shower Room & Ironing Room.
Second Floor:
The second floor is arranged as a spacious and luxuriously appointed self-contained penthouse apartment. The Penthouse comprises 3 double bedrooms, 2 bath/shower rooms, a large sitting/dining room and beautifully fitted kitchen with granite finishes. Wide Hallway with Cupola overhead.
** The second floor is rated separately and subject to "Multiple Dwellings Relief" this may significantly reduce the Stamp Duty Land Tax payable.
Third Floor Summary:
Tower Room: Office/Study/Studio
Third Floor:
Located in the Tower, enjoying outstanding panoramic 270o views to the coast. The Tower room is ideally suited to use as an office/study being connected to the CAT6 network system installed in the house.
Gardens & Grounds
The formal gardens surround the house and are mainly laid to lawn at the sides. Walkways, mature yew hedging and many fine specimen trees and shrubs, create a beautiful, secluded setting with extensive sea views across the Romney marshes and on a clear day to the White Cliffs of Dover 27 miles away and to the Firehills at Fairlight to the west. The gardens and grounds extend to around 4.5 acres.
Floor Area: 1,065 m2 ( 11,464 ft2) Approx.
Services: Mains electricity, water and drainage. Gas & Oil Fired (selectable) Central Heating.
Broadband: Superfast (available)
EPC Rating : 'D'
Local Authority: Rother District Council.
Council Tax Band: Main House 'G' & Second Floor Apartment 'C'
Tenure: Freehold
H.M. Land Registry No. : ESX 100527
Directions: From Ashford: Leave the M20 at J10A Ashford, onto the A2070 towards Rye. Continue on this road , at the Brenzett roundabout proceed onto the A259 to Brookland and Rye. At the roundabout turn right onto the A268. Continue up the hill, taking the right turn immediately past the Kings Head PH on the left into Saltcote Lane, continue to the end where the entrance to Saltcote Place will be found immediately ahead.
From Sevenoaks: Leave the M25 at J5 Sevenoaks, onto the A21 towards Hastings. Continue on this road until reaching the Flimwell traffic lights – turn left onto the A268 towards Hawkhurst and Rye. Continue on this road, which becomes the A28, passing through the traffic lights and over the river Rother at Newenden. After a short distance bear left onto the A268 towards Rye. Stay on this road, passing through village of Peasmarsh. Turn left into Saltcote Lane shortly before the Kings Head PH on the right. Continue to the end where the entrance to Saltcote Place will be found immediately ahead.
What3Words: ///replied.cars.waltzes (Front Gates Location)
Viewing: All viewings by appointment through the Moloney Country Property. A member of the team will conduct all viewings, whether or not the vendors are in residence.
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