stonepit barn, off howland road, marden, kent

Stonepit BarnHowland Road | Marden | Tonbridge | Kent | TN12 9DH

Stone Pit 8page.indd 1 08/02/2016 13:39

* 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.

Seller InsightThis lovely Grade II Listed barn, which was built in the 18th Century and converted into a home in the late 1980s, offers four bedrooms and a detached double garage. Timber-clad and roofed with reclaimed Kentish peg tiles, the barn sits in just over half an

acre of gardens in a small hamlet accessed by a private lane on the edge of the village of Marden.

Some 24 years ago, while viewing other properties in the vicinity, the current owners spotted Stonepit Barn by chance. Attracted initially by its external character, a quickly arranged viewing of the empty property revealed the abundant honey-coloured beams of its ceilings, walls and gables. After purchase, the new owners set about remedying the ground floor’s raw concrete floor surfaces by installing solid oak planking to the sitting room, dining room and study, and Indian slate tiling to the hallway and ground floor bathroom. Handmade terracotta tiles with blue and white inset tiles replaced cork tiles in the kitchen and breakfast room, while the plasterboard wall dividing these two rooms was substituted by an open stud partition of oak timbers on a low brick plinth. A similar partition was inserted between the high vaulted sitting room and the low-ceilinged dining area; the sitting room’s inglenook fireplace had its wood burner removed and was transformed into an open fireplace featuring custom-made ironwork.

The owners also added versatile space by inserting oak-floored mezzanines above the ground floor bedroom and the second bedroom; reached by ladders, these can be used as study or play areas, for sleepovers or storage. The owners also maximised the use of the roof’s hip space, creating a fourth bedroom at one end and enlarging the master bedroom’s small shower room to provide a full bathroom at the other end.

Externally, the owners replaced the surrounding bare concrete parking and courtyard areas with pea shingle, to create a more natural look. Steps from the courtyard adjoining the rear of the barn lead up to the main part of the garden; once an orchard, it retains its natural undulations and is laid mainly to lawn.

The centre of Marden is within easy reach and offers a primary school, two restaurants, a Post Office, a chemist, a butchers’ shop and three grocery stores, as well as a farm shop in the old village lock-up. The mainline station is less than one mile and provides regular services to Charing Cross, London Bridge, Cannon Street and the coast. Maidstone is the nearest large town but Tunbridge Wells and Ashford are also readily accessible.”


DESCRIPTION Stonepit Barn has been lovingly restored by the current owners, exposing all of the striking internal wooden framing and the wide, vaulted atrium ceilings. Externally the barn is timber clad under a Kent peg tiled roof. Inside you have four bedrooms, with one on the ground floor, and the remainder on the first floor. English oak flooring shines in the living room and dining area and study, while the imposing inglenook fireplace is perfect for those colder evenings when you want to be warm and cosy. But the real jewel in the crown are the mezzanine areas in two of the bedrooms. Accessed by handmade ladders, they make perfect TV or study areas that complement the rooms perfectly.

Throughout the property there are custom made wood latched doors with decorative ironmongery together with English oak plank flooring in the main living, dining area and study.

All the casement windows have double glazed panels as do the oak French doors which open to the patio and raised garden.

The boiler and all the radiators have been recently replaced and designer units fitted in both the study and dining room.

Outside there are private gardens and a wood store and bike shed. The double garage is a good size with a really useful storage room above.

LOCATION The barn is located on the edge of the village of Marden, tucked away down a private lane which leads to a handful of neighbouring period properties. The village offers a variety of shops and facilities including health centre, library, chemist, butchers, post office, several pubs and two restaurants.

For travel the mainline station of Marden is close by, with services to London Bridge, Charing Cross and Cannon Street in under an hour.

ENTRANCE HALL A handmade oak door leads into the entrance hall with an Indian slate tiled floor, useful coat cupboard and access to the study, ground floor bedroom, bathroom and separate WC.

BEDROOM THREE A cosy bedroom overlooking the front courtyard and is

further enhanced by the handmade ladder ascending steeply to a mezzanine area (with restricted head height), ideal for study space or even a sleepover.

BATHROOM The bathroom has a white suite with a large bath and basin, part wood panelling, tiled splashbacks and brass fittings from Italy.

WC Separate WC again with part wood panelling topped with hand made tiles.

STUDY Full of character with beams, an English Oak floor and duel aspect views around the gardens. It also features a reclaimed brick wall.

DINING ROOM Full of open studded beams, English oak boarded floor, exposed beamed ceiling and walls, this room is brimming over with character yet still feels unenclosed and airy. Open framework leads into the living room.

LOUNGE The stunning 24’ high vaulted ceiling crowns this room that also boasts an inglenook fireplace featuring a handmade grate, firedogs and a cast iron fireback. Oak French doors overlook the secluded garden. There is plenty of storage under the stairs.

KITCHEN This perfect country kitchen has a lovely dual aspect of both the garden and the lane to the front. There are handmade terracotta slabs and blue patterned inset tiles. Oak fascia’s and grey streaked worktops house an inset gas hob, eye level double oven and grill as well as a built-in fridge and dishwasher.

BREAKFAST ROOM Lovely room with views over the front lane. There’s also plenty of space for a good sized table and chairs.

UTILITY ROOM Home to a butler sink, which has a splash back of hand made French tiles, space for an American style fridge/freezer, washing machine and dryer. The airing cupboard houses the new Baxi boiler and custom made shelving.

Step insideStonepit Barn


GALLERIED HALF LANDING The oak staircase leads to the half landing which in turn leads to the master suite on one side and the remaining bedrooms on the other side.

MASTER BEDROOM The master bedroom was a former hay loft, and is now a beautiful double aspect bedroom with the beautifully restored beamed vaulted ceiling. A restricted height latched door leads into the en suite bathroom.

EN SUITE Cosy en suite comprises of a white bath with wood panelling nestling under the eaves. There are Italian brass taps and shower head, hand made splash back tiles, WC and basin with brass fittings. There is also a cupboard housing the hot water cylinder.

BEDROOM TWOOriginally the second hayloft - this room has views over the garden and features a brick chimney breast winding to the top of a beamed vaulted ceiling.

A mezzanine area is discovered by climbing an oak ladder tucked away behind the chimney. It’s beautiful wooden floor, reclaimed from an old school, together with the oak gallery makes this an ideal gaming lounge, television space or a children’s secret play area.

BEDROOM FOUR A tiny crooked door (restricted height) reveals bedroom Four, a charming single room under exposed beamed eaves with views over the garden. There’s also a built-in cupboard housing the second hot water tank.

GARDENS The property sits on a quiet private lane, in amongst a hamlet of country properties. The eastern boundary is post and railed fenced with mature trees to its western boundary giving a high degree of seclusion. The shingle drive to the south leads to the double garage and rear parking for another four cars.

A small reclaimed brick patio area lies close to the French doors and steps lead up to the lawned gardens which are interspersed with fruit trees and borders of shrubs.

GARAGE The double garage has electricity and a boarded first floor which is accessed by a drop down ladder.

STORE An internal store provides further storage space. A useful log store and bike store is at the rear.

Step outsideStonepit Barn


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 09.02.016Fine & Country Cranbrook is a Partnership copyright © 2016 Fine & Country Ltd.

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stonepit barn, off howland road, marden, kent

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