Charlton Place is offered for sale in 3 Lots. Lots B and C will NOT be sold before Lot A.

LOT A - Charlton Place and its gardens and park set in about 43.26 acres Lot B - The Squash Court and about 0.13 acres Lot C - About 61.05 acres of parkland. IN ALL - About 104.44 acres (42.27 hectares)

Lot A - Charlton Place

Known as Charlton Park, the property is a fine Grade II* listed mansion set in gardens and grounds amongst mature parkland dotted with fine specimen trees. Lot A extends to about 43.26 acres (17.50 hectares).

A splendid wood-panelled entrance hall with large open fire welcomes you into the house, off which lies a morning room and a drawing room. Beyond is the substantial kitchen/family room with ceiling height windows creating a wonderful light space; there are seating areas at both ends by open fires, a central kitchen with an AGA and a dining area in the bay.

To the rear of the ground floor are the farm office, library, cloakrooms and a fully operational commercial kitchen. Substantial cellars, including two wine cellars, lie under most of the ground floor.

On the first floor are six extremely comfortable bedroom suites, two further bedrooms and a kitchen. Also on the first floor is the ballroom, an imposing 40ft room with large bay window and fine piped plaster mouldings. A wood-burning stove gives wonderful warmth to this splendid room which overlooks the mixed borders, woods and parkland beyond.

On the second floor are four further bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, water tank store and store rooms.

Lot B is available in addition and comprises the Squash Court and is described in the brochure.

Lot C is also available in addition and comprises about 61.05 acres (24.72 ha) of parkland.

HISTORY The Charlton estate is at least eight centuries old. It was first mentioned in 1240 but is likely to have been an established holding at the time the manor of Bishopsbourne was acquired by the Archbishop of Canterbury in 811. However, the first appearance of the Charlton lands in the historical record was probably in July 54 BC, after Caesar's first battle against the Britons on Barham Down above the house. It is likely that he watered his cavalry in the Nailbourne (then a permanent stream) in what is now Charlton Park.

The Tudor core of the present house was built around 1580 by James Herringe, a wealthy local yeoman. In 1636 the estate was bought by the Aucher family, who had acquired the rest of the manor of Bishopsbourne after the Reformation. In the 1760's they sold it to the Foote family. During the Civil War in the 1640's Sir Anthony Aucher had spent time in the Tower of London for having been on the wrong (Royalist) side. This probably explains why, when building the Dower House in the 1680's, he constructed the secret escape tunnel (now disused) that connected it to the house.

The Foote family's period of ownership produced unexpected connections. Soon after Francis and Catherine Foote bought the house in 1765, Catherine's nephew, the famous cricketer Sir Horace Mann MP, leased Bourne Park at the other end of the village. From 24 July to 1 August 1765 the Mozart family stayed there on their way home from their European tour. They went to the races on Barham Down on July 25. It is most unlikely that the Footes did not visit to view the child genius, or that Mozart escaped an invitation to Charlton Park.

During the ownership of Francis Foote’s son John, and grandson Robert, it is likely that Jane Austen visited the house often. She was close to John's brother, Admiral Sir Edward Foote, who was Captain of the Royal Yacht for many years and regarded Charlton Park as the family seat. Her elder brother Edward lived nearby. She was also friendly with Robert's cousins, the five daughters of John and Eleanor Foote of London. They were at the house often and possibly gave an idea for the plot of Pride and Prejudice.

Robert Foote and his wife hosted George IV many times before and after he became King. The connection probably came from Sir Edward Foote. Robert had the magnificent first-floor ballroom in the new Regency west wing built to entertain George and his mistress, Elizabeth, Countess Conyngham. Oral history claims that at one dinner, the King’s horse was jumped out of the window for a bet and was killed.

During World War 2, the house was requisitioned for the unit responsible for the long-range “Boche Buster” anti-invasion gun mounted on a railcar on the line that then ran behind the house, which happily was never needed.

For 20 years after the war, the house was a Dr Barnardo's home. People who were there as children still appear from time to time to share memories.

In recent years Charlton Place has hosted numerous charitable fund-raising events, also weddings, concerts and outdoor theatre, as well as business meetings.

This property has 43.26 acres of land.

Outside

Within Lot A are:

THE OUTBUILDINGS There are outbuildings to the rear of the house and in the park, providing wood stores and storage for garden and swimming pool maintenance equipment. GARDENS & GROUNDS The swimming pool lies in a protected position to the rear of the house, encircled by a walled terrace above which the rear lawn rises, edged by wide mixed borders. There are level lawns to the side and front of the house, including the croquet lawn, with ample space for a helicopter landing pad. Lot A extends to about 43.26 acres (17.50 hectares).

The Snowdrop Wood lies to the west, sheltering the hard tennis court. The estate has its own cricket pitch, currently not in use, which is home to The Exiles Cricket Club.

THE LAND Beyond the lawns lies the park, interspersed with fine specimen trees and bordered by small blocks of woodland.

The land is currently farmed in hand. There is water to all the fields.

The Nailbourne sometimes flows, reputedly every seventh year, through the centre of the park and forms a natural lake from time to time.

WOODLAND Around the park are a number of enclosures and rides, planted with a variety of native trees.

FURTHER LAND:

In addition to Lot A are lots B and C which will not be sold before Lot A and are available in addition if desired.

Situation

Charlton Place lies in the Elham Valley within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, providing a perfect environment for walking, riding and cycling. Bishopsbourne is a delightful, tucked away small village with a pub, butcher-fishmonger-grocery shop, artisan baker and tea room a walk away from the house.

The historic Cathedral City of Canterbury is to the west and offers a wide range of shops, restaurants and day-to-day services along with an abundance of recreational opportunities. There are a number of excellent private and state schools in the area including King’s Canterbury, Benenden and the Langton Grammar Schools, to name a few.

The location of Charlton Place, lying conveniently off the A2, gives excellent access to major road networks, High Speed One trains from Canterbury West and links to the Continent via the Port of Dover and the Channel Tunnel.

Directions

From M2 (Junction 7): Exit and join the A2. Continue past Canterbury and as you rise a hill take the exit signposted to Bishopsbourne and Barham. At the T-junction turn right and pass under the A2. At the next staggered junction proceed straight ahead and follow the road downhill. In Bishopsbourne village, turn left at the white signpost. Pass the Mermaid Inn on the right and, as the road turns left up hill, continue straight ahead, with Charlton Lodge on your right as you enter the private driveway leading into Charlton Park. Continue on the drive, passing over two bridges (the Nailbourne beneath only flows in years of heavy rain) and turn right onto the sweep in front of the house, which you will see as you approach.