Stourside is a rarely available stylish and modern family home set in an historic village. Red brick and part-weatherboarded, it offers almost 4,400 sq ft (plus a large garage of 487 sq ft) of light-filled, flexible accommodation arranged over three floors. The spacious, predominantly open-plan ground floor accommodation with under floor heating, flows from a triple-height reception hall and comprises an extensive kitchen/breakfast room, sitting room, dining room and family room together with a coat and shoe room, and a fitted utility room. There is also a home office.

The kitchen provides a range of contemporary wall and base units, including a large split-level central island and breakfast bar, with modern integrated appliances. The remaining space provides a family area with a door to the terrace, a vaulted double-height dining area with contemporary staircase to the galleried landing and library/office 2, and four sets of French doors to the garden, and a spacious sitting area with a feature exposed brick fireplace with wood-burning stove and six sets of French doors to the garden.

On the first floor the generous principal bedroom has full-height glazing, French doors to a Juliet balcony and a contemporary en suite bathroom. A double bedroom has French doors to a private balcony and a modern en suite shower room, and one further double bedroom has Jack and Jill en suite access to a modern family shower room. A large double bedroom is currently used as a music room. A large library/office 2 overlooks the dining room below. There are generous store rooms on each floor.

The second floor benefits from two store rooms (one originally planned as a kitchenette the other a wardrobe) and leads to the property’s two spacious remaining bedrooms, one with a walk in wardrobe, and to a shower room, numerous skylights throughout which flood the area with natural light.

Outside

Having plenty of visual appeal, the property is approached over a block-paved driveway offering parking for multiple vehicles and giving access to the integral double garage which benefits from an inter-connecting 16 ft store room with glazed roof, the whole screened by mature shrubs and trees.

Bordering the River Stour, from which the property takes its name, the well-maintained enclosed garden is laid mainly to level lawn bordered by well-stocked flowers and shrub beds and features a decked children’s play area, and spacious raised decked terraces, one with a part-gazebo-covered sitting area, all ideal for entertaining and al fresco dining. There are steps to the river which provide access for kayaking and other activities.

Situation

Located on the River Stour to the north-east of Canterbury, the market town of Fordwich is the smallest community in Britain by population with a town council and has its own town hall, many fine period buildings and two popular public houses on the banks of the river (one with a renowned restaurant), all surrounded by beautiful east Kent countryside offering pursuits including walking, pleasure boating and fishing. The nearby village of Sturry is home to Junior Kings School, and offers a good range of day-to-day amenities including local shopping, GP surgery, dental surgeries, pharmacy and popular primary school. The cathedral city of Canterbury offers a wide range of specialist boutiques, independent retailers, major stores and supermarkets, together with excellent dining and cultural amenities.

Communications links are excellent: Sturry station offers regular connections into Canterbury with its two mainline stations with services to London, with the High-Speed rail service from Canterbury West to London St. Pancras taking less than an hour. The nearby A2 provides direct access to the M2 and national motorway network and the Channel Tunnel at Folkestone provide regular Shuttle services to the Continent.

The area offers a good selection of state primary and secondary schooling including Sturry C of E Primary School (rated Outstanding by Ofsted) together with a wide range of noted independent schools including three state grammar schools, Kent College, St Edmund’s, The King’s School, reputedly the oldest school in the world and its Junior School in Sturry, and CATS Canterbury.

Directions

From Canterbury Join the A257 towards Sandwich. Stay on A257 for 1.3 miles then turn left onto Stodmarsh Road. After 0.8 mile turn left onto Moat Lane, then follow this road through Fordwich turning left onto King Street and then continue around to the right onto Fordwich Road. Pass over two bridges crossing the river, and Stourside will be found immediately on the left-hand side.