Pond Cottage

Romantic and relaxing, this charming Grade II listed property – formerly two 17^th century cottages owned by Jane Austen’s family – sits in the middle of the village close to the church and opposite the green, which used to be a pond with ducking stool for witches! Only a short walk from the village station with direct trains to London, Canterbury and the coast, it features beamed ceilings, cosy log-burning stoves and beautiful furnishings. A large cottage garden and orchard provide ample space for relaxation, with many walking and cycling routes nearby. Local attractions abound – vineyards, safari parks, horse riding, heritage cities  The house sleeps 7 adults, plus 2 children in bunk beds in an adjoining bedroom. There is a very well-equipped kitchen with a table and chairs and an elegant dining room, plus a music room and large sitting room divided into two areas. The utility room houses a freezer and the laundry area. The bedrooms are all on the first floor and are accessed via staircases in the kitchen and the sitting room located at either end of the cottage, each staircase leads into a double bedroom.  A hallway then leads onto further bedrooms and the family bathroom.  There is also a shower room on the ground floor. Outside discover a cottage garden with flower beds and an ancient apple tree with a tree house and a securely covered well.  Shop: 1.5 miles   Pub: 1.9 miles  Coast: 13.5 miles  Rail Station 0.1 miles / 5 minute's walk

Entrance via the back door leading into...

Utility Room with tiled floor, butler sink, storage cupboards, a washing machine and dryer plus a freezer

Through hallway to...

Sitting Room with wood floorboards and rugs.  There are two sofas with an armchair around an inglenook fireplace with log burner and a Smart TV with Netflix.  The further end of the sitting room is perfect for reading and has 2 further armchairs and a large dresser with board games.  Door to staircase leading into Bedroom 4 and first floor

Through hallway to ...

Music Room with wood flooring and rugs, there is a piano and elegant sofa with door to side entrance and door to
Bathroom with tiled floor, has a large shower cubicle, heated towel rail w.c. and hand basin
Dining Room with original herringbone brick floor and round dining table with eight chairs and an antique dresser
Kitchen with a quarry tiled floor and original inglenook fireplace housing a feature Esse stove (non-functioning).  There is an electric range oven with a 5 ring gas hob, dishwasher, microwave, and 2 fridges.  There is also an oval dining table with dining chairs and a cd player with a radio.  Door to Staircase and first floor

A turning wooden slightly steep staircase leads into Bedroom 1 and first floor ....

First Floor:
Bedroom 1 the gold room has wood flooring with rugs.  There is a 19th century French king size bed, with bedside tables and lamps and a teasmaid, a built in wardrobe and chest of drawers.   Door leading through to...
Bedroom 2 the green room has wood flooring with colourful patterned antique rugs.  There is an antique king size bed with bedside tables and lamps, a chest of drawers and a side table with mirror. Please note that the floor in this bedroom is not level. 

Along the hallway to...

Bathroom with wooden floorboards and antique corner cupboard, a large antique enamelled bath, with hand basin, w.c. and heated towel rail

Along the hallway to ...

Bedroom 3 with feature vw camper van wallpaper, is carpeted and has a single bed and bedside table with lamp, built-in open wardrobe and built-in cupboard 

Along the hallway to ...

Bedroom 4 the mint green room with wood flooring and rugs and an open mezzanine with bannister rail and staircase leading down to the door into the sitting room. There is a double bed, with bedside tables and lamps, a built-in wardrobe and chest of drawers.  Door leading into...
Bedroom 5 the turquoise room with wood flooring and rugs, it is perfect for children as it has bunk beds (3ft) and leads off bedroom 4, so suits parents wishing to be close to the children, there is a chest of drawers and a floor lamp

This property is only suitable for a maximum of 7 adults and 2 children - never 9 adults

Garden: There is a large garden wrapping round the property with cottage style flower beds and an old apple tree with a tree house.  A patio to the side of the house, with garden furniture for enjoying meals al fresco, a barbecue and a bench seat on the lawn to the front.  The garden is fully fenced and secure
Pets: 1 well behaved dog is accepted at this property.  There is even a hot and cold outside tap for washing muddy paws
Parking: Is on the private shingled driveway to the front, access is via a five bar gate.
Notes: This is a period property and therefore there are some low headroom doorways and uneven floors in some rooms and a quirky layout. The green bedroom next to the gold one gives immediate access to the bathroom, while occupants of the gold bedroom can go to the shower room downstairs. The end turquoise bedroom with bunk beds is perfect for parents in the adjoining mint green bedroom, who want to have their younger children near them. The two staircases are quite steep, narrow and turning.  The property is therefore not recommended for those with mobility problems. 
Also Provided: Unlimited Fibre WiFi with an average speed of 34Mbps. Mamas and Papas travel cot with mattress (2 fitted sheets available if needed), highchair, potty, carry cot. Dog towels provided. 

This property is not suitable for stag or hen parties.

Logs: A ‘starter’ basket of logs of the right size is provided near each stove. Only wood supplied by the owner is to be burned in the stoves. Additional 30kg basket loads of dry, seasoned and sustainably sourced hardwood (ash, oak, beech) logs of the right length are available on request at time of booking.

Out and About:
There is plenty of delightful countryside, plus pretty villages, pubs and numerous walks to discover close to hand.  Take the bikes and visit The Independent Pedaler cafe at Bridge, where you can have a delicious brunch.  Head to Gibson's Farm Shop - just a 5 minute drive - for some treats and a wide range of excellent local produce, they also have a cafe.  If wine is more to your taste take a tour of  Simpsons vineyard at Barham and finish off with tasting some of their award winning wines.  To experience some true culture and some great shopping, the city of Canterbury, a UNESCO world heritage site is only 8 miles away and you can spend the day strolling around the medieval streets and visiting the cathedral and museums.  The ancient market town of Sandwich is well worth a trip and the wild beach at Sandwich Bay which is home to an RSPB Observatory.