4 bed Detached House
£1,300,000
The Coach House, Baye Lane, Ickham
An extraordinarily unique detached residence with a wealth of history, and occupying a generous 1 acre plot of beautifully landscaped grounds, which includes an orchard and sweeping driveway with a two-storey garage which has the potential to convert into an annexe, STPC
The Coach House is an enchanting property which has undergone a significant amount of restoration and renovation which includes sensitively extending the property to become a beautiful 2500 sq.ft family home.
Originally housing horse drawn carts for the Baye estate, the property is flourishing in history and period features including the original brick coach house arches, exposed beams, open fireplaces, stripped flooring and characterful windows.
The property has been with the current owners for over forty years, and converted in 1996, using innovative architectural design and fine craftsmanship throughout, the result is a beautiful mix of modern convenience and period charm.
Accessed via electric gates the gravelled driveway sweeps round to the front of the coach house, which has an attractive façade of beautifully pointed brick work, pretty windows and Kent peg tiled roof.
The front door opens into a splendid hallway with African slate tiles set over underfloor heating which runs through to the vaulted kitchen breakfast room with incredibly high ceilings dressed in rich oak beams. Here one will find a bespoke solid wood fitted kitchen which encompasses a two oven Aga and is complemented by an extendable kitchen island, designed, and crafted by a local joiner who has also incorporated a granite topped preparation area.
This space is further enhanced by a utility room with plenty of room for laundry appliances and a Sheila Maid for drying washing.
French doors open into a striking oak framed garden room with the same beautiful stone tiles and underfloor heating allowing the room to be enjoyed all year round.
A snug also comes off the kitchen breakfast room and has an open fireplace, and built in cupboards, it could work perfectly as a children's playroom.
The main hallway with elegant cloakroom, leads one to the oldest part of the Coach house which is adorned in character, there are beamed ceilings, stripped floors and the original arches of the coach house, along with a wine cellar.
The dual aspect family room has splendid views of Ickham Church and offers a formal dining area, as well as a sitting room and living area with open fireplace with antique stone surround.
To the first floor there is a well-appointed shower room and two double bedrooms both with idyllic views, the main bedroom has a dressing area that leads onto another room currently used as an office but could be a nursery, it is further complemented by a luxury ensuite bathroom that has Italian sanitary ware and attractive tiles.
To the second floor there are two single bedrooms and a little landing between, this would be ideal for children sharing.
OUTSIDE:
Situated in a quiet lane, with farming fields around, the house is not overlooked, and is surrounded by hedges, including Beech. The entrance, over which hangs a magnificent Japanese Gingko tree, (which has spectacular autumn colours), has a lockable letter and small parcel box, opened by key from within the property.
Custom made Sepele Hardwood automatic gates, opened either from the house by speaker screen monitor or by a code-pad or a remote -control, lead to a pea beech covered driveway, and large parking area. Electricity to the gates from the house is 'moled' underground so as not to have unsightly wiring around the perimeter showing.
From the parking area there is a large double oak framed garage with a side door. There is a substantial workbench at one end, included in the sale. Above the garage there is office/storage accommodation, currently accessed by an outside staircase. We understand, but the buyer must make their own enquiries, that this accommodation has been built to satisfy safety standards in the event it was to be converted to living accommodation; subject of course to the necessary Planning Approval.
There is a front lawn with a fish pond, designed and built by a Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medallist, with rocks to the edges bought from elsewhere in England, which have a pink hue, to match local Kent colouring; stocked with goldfish, but not carp, and water plants. Wildlife, including newts, dragon flies etc abound in this environment. The lawn has a magnificent Wellingtonia (California Redwood) tree, we understand planted by seed, well over 100 years ago. This can be seen from a great distance from the property and adds even more character to the house.
There is also a Walnut tree and a quality wooden shed, (with electricity), together with flower beds. Rubbish bins are parked by this tree and masked by a wattle fence. At the end of the side alley is a plumbed in water-softener, the owners do not currently use.
The lawn is hidden from the driveway by a long custom- built wattle fence. There is a large terrace made from Yorkshire stone with inserts of stable bricks to reflect the history of the property. This has a brick wall, with lighting, around the terrace and is topped, again, for seating, with York stone. There is a beautiful stone table, cut from a 7-foot boulder, with the frame cast from an old printing press, together with eight quality (heavy) cast iron dining chairs, again bought at Chelsea Flower Show. This table and chairs can be sold privately, separately to the buyer of the property.
There is also another York stone terrace at the rear of the house for evening drinks looking at the 12th century village Church; one of the very few houses in the village with a view of the church. By this terrace is a 'well' which gathers rainwater from the roofs for when there are hose-pipe bans. There is an electric pump fitted to extract the water to a hose fitted to the tap. There is also a working hand-pump if required. Above this 'well' there is a magnificent corbel on the corner of the property to allow for the vintage hand pump's use. The 'well' which is about 20 feet deep, was used in bygone days for swilling out the stables into the underground gravel which abounds in this area - hence the beautiful local lakes.
From this terrace there is a brick drive which has high brick walls leading to the orchard. This drive has flower beds, a grapevine and fig trees.
Farm gates lead into the orchard with its wonderful view of the ancient church. In the church there is The Baye Transept, where is entombed Sir Thomas de Ba, a Crusader knight, who allegedly lived at a house where The Baye now stands, hence the local name of Baye. It is not after a Bay tree!
As one enters the orchard, to the left is a medlar tree, and to the right, a vegetable garden, with a glass greenhouse. There are numerous fruit trees including, apple, pear, plum and walnut, but towering over all is an ancient mulberry tree which gives a wonderful crop each year. This tree blew over in the 1987 hurricane, and to save it, the head arborist of Kent County Council came to the property and recommended to cover the exposed root and the tree would sprout out from the new position; and it has. There are various sheds and barns, housing logs, garden implements etc. One of the sheds has mains electricity from the house via armoured cable.
Mains water is supplied to the orchard, but again, for hosepipe bans, water butts are dotted around the orchard to obtain water from the various roofs. There is also a fruit cage with strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, gooseberries, blackcurrants etc. next to this is a wild garden to encourage wildlife.
Overall, the orchard is a very good size and is unique in being a large tract of land close to the centre of such a lovely village. The present owners over the last 40 or more years have kept a number of sheep and their horse here. In front of the orchard, there is a paddock which belongs to The Baye, looking to the church.
SITUATION:
The Coach House enjoys an enviable position, situated just outside the heart of the sought after Ickham village, which lies 5 miles southeast of the city of Canterbury. This picturesque location has many well-preserved listed buildings, with an interesting mix of architecture, including the 11th-century church of St. John the Evangelist. There is a popular dining pub, the Duke William, and a Spa retreat. Ickham also has a village hall, used as a venue for a range of activities, and a regular bus service to and from Canterbury. The village is surrounded by some beautiful countryside, with numerous footpaths, making this an ideal location for those who enjoy outdoor pursuits.
The adjoining village of Wickhambreaux also has a church, a public house (The Rose Inn) and a well-regarded primary school, rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted.
The larger village of Littlebourne just a mile away, benefits from a local farm shop called Ivy Barn which also has a little café. Within the village there is also shop, a primary school, a church, and a GP practice, whilst nearby Bekesbourne is home to Howletts Zoo, along with a mainline train station which connects with Canterbury East station.
Wingham lies about one mile from Ickham and is another idyllic village with a local bakery and an award winning fine dining restaurant and hotel.
The cathedral city of Canterbury is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city, with a thriving city centre offering a wide array of High Street brands alongside a diverse mix of independent retailers, cafes, and international restaurants. The city also offers a fine selection of sporting, leisure, and recreational amenities, including the refurbished Marlowe Theatre.
Canterbury has an excellent choice of educational amenities, ranging from Grammar schools to well-regarded private schools and three universities. Canterbury offers a regular rail service to London Victoria, Charing Cross and Cannon Street and the high-speed rail link connects with London's St Pancras from Canterbury West station in just under one hour.
We endeavour to make our sales particulars accurate and reliable, however, they do not constitute or form part of an offer or any contract and none is to be relied upon as statements of representation or fact. Any services, systems and appliances listed in this specification have not been tested by us and no guarantee as to their operating ability or efficiency is given. All measurements and floor plans and site plans are a guide to prospective buyers only, and are not precise. Fixtures and fittings shown in any photographs are not necessarily included in the sale and need to be agreed with the seller.
Foundation Estate Agents
Suite 1, 2nd Floor
3 Jubilee Way
Faversham
Kent
ME13 8GD
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