SOLD SUBJECT TO CONTRACT VIA FINE & COUNTRY
GUIDE PRICE £1,000,000 - £1,100,000.
Two Lavender Bank is an utterly exquisite must-see home and is one of two 300 year-old bay fronted properties. It has a date plaque of 1722 with the initials I.S and T.S which apparently relate to twin daughters of the local Lavender Farm that the properties were built for. Originally symmetrical, however, Two Lavender Bank was extended in the mid to late 19th Century, incorporating a cottage at the rear into the house, which is now part of the kitchen, and adding two floors above.
This Grade II Listed four-storey home sits in a plot of around 0.3 of an acre and the accommodation comprises two/three reception rooms, study, kitchen, family room, six bedrooms, family bathroom, two shower rooms, one of which is en-suite, and a three-room cellar. Outside, there is a large deck and BBQ area at ground level, accessed from the kitchen’s double doors. There is a laid to lawn area and a variety of trees, including fruit trees, which provide for a high degree of privacy. There is also off-street parking for two cars, accessed via electric gates, with additional on-road parking alongside the front flint wall of the house. Since acquiring the property, the current owners have refurbished it throughout which has involved internal re-shaping, including some room size alterations, expanding the kitchen to be more than twice the size and garden-facing, and to fully incorporate what was an external path between the house and the cottage.
This charming period home must be viewed internally to fully appreciate the character and accommodation on offer.
Location Farningham Village is a conservation area. It has a mainline railway station (Farningham Road) with regular services to London. Road links from the area giving access to A2/M2, A20/M20, M25 and Dartford Tunnel as well as Ebbsfleet International Station, airports, the coast and Channel Tunnel. Farningham can trace its history back to Neolithic times – flint and other tools have been discovered and these can be found in the Dartford Museum. The Romans occupied the general area after their invasion in the 1st century and, along with evidence of habitation down the road in Lullingstone, there is also evidence of Roman habitation in Farningham. Three farmhouses and three villas have been unearthed. The River Darent provided excellent trout fishing and Charles Dickens was a regular visitor here. Farningham had a watermill, powered by the River Darent, the building of which survives.
Directions From High Street Farningham, head southeast towards Eynsford Road (A225). At the T-junction turn right then immediately left onto Beesfield Lane. The property is about 100 yards down on the left-hand side, with the long flint wall.
Seller Insight Nestled within the beautiful Darenth Valley, nationally famous for its lavender farms, is the charming village of Farningham, and situated just a stone’s throw from its centre is this extremely attractive six-bedroom Grade II listed family home. “We moved out of London with our young children looking for a family home close to lovely villages, with access to good schooling and easy commuting into London, and we found all of those things, and a whole lot more at Number 2 Lavender Bank,” say the owners. “We can honestly say that we instantly fell in love with the house, which had a family-friendly vibe the moment we first walked through the front door twenty-six years ago.”
“The house began its journey three centuries ago this year, as it’s one of two identical properties that were built for the twin daughters of the local lavender farmer. Number 2 Lavender Bank was extensively remodelled in the early 19th and early 20th centuries, and again, by us, in the early 21st century. We undertook a major remodeling project to improve the flow of the house and also to dramatically expand the kitchen, reorienting it to the brighter, garden side of the house, with double doors opening onto the patio and deck. We’ve sympathetically refurbished our home in keeping with listed building regs, uncovering previously hidden features such as window shutters and fireplaces. We also completely rewired and replumbed, added a new central heating system, and we went back to the bare walls and floors and completely redecorated throughout.”
“Outside we’ve added extensive decking, a BBQ area and a patio, which used the original York stone flags from the walkway that used to lie between the cottage and the house. The overall space created is broadly the same area as the ground floor area of the house outside and on the same level, which makes entertaining so much more inclusive. It’s lovely sitting out in the garden, catching the evening sun and drinking in the birdsong. We especially like the high-bank nature of the space that provides additional privacy.”
Favourite room: “The heart of the home is the kitchen, where we have consistently enjoyed entertaining family and friends over the years. In fact, the whole property is very conducive to entertaining. Our annual Christmas family lunches for twenty-five people have always worked well in the house, and we were able to sit forty-five guests on the deck for my father’s 75th birthday party.”
Favourite aspect of the grounds or surrounding area: “Farningham is twinned with Eynsford, just a mile or so down the road, and both are sought-after villages, boasting seven pubs, all within walking distance, a couple of butchers, a well-stocked village shop and a lovely Indian restaurant. Both village train stations have services to London, and fast services operate from Sevenoaks and Orpington, both around a fifteen-minute drive away. It’s a perfect spot for commuting, although I used to drive as I could get into my office in the City in forty-five minutes – quicker than the train.”
Memorable event (if not another favourite room or unique feature): “Our three-room, full-height cellar is split into a gym, drinks fridge area, bike store and a wine room, which still has the original slate shelving that was used for drying lavender. When the children were young, we also put a table tennis table down there for added diversion so it’s a very flexible space in terms of how it can be used.”
What they’ll miss most / why they are leaving: “We’ve had twenty-six very happy years here, however we now feel it’s time to downsize and allow another family to write their chapter in the next phase of life in this lovely old house,” say the owners. “There’s so much that we’ll miss, but most of all it will be the warm and friendly atmosphere of the property as a whole.”
Ground Floor
Vestibule/Porch Door to front, windows to front and side, York stone flooring, apex plain ceiling with downlights. Two built in storage cupboards to the side.
Entrance Hall Door to front, wooden flooring, plain ceiling, downlights and upstanding radiator. Built-in corner display cupboard plus a cupboard built into the stairs. Stairs to first floor with painted wood balustrade and wooden handrails.
Study 12'6" x 7'5" (3.8m x 2.26m). Plain ceiling, flagstone flooring, upstanding radiator, two storage cupboards, doors to shower room and cellar.
Dining Room 16'7" (5.05m) x 16'2" (4.93m) narrowing to 11' (3.35m). Dual aspect bay window to front and window to the side with wooden panelled shutters. Wood flooring, plain coved ceiling, pendant light & upright radiator. Two built-in bookcases. A replica stone Georgian fireplace that is gas-fired coal-effect.
Sitting Room 18'3" x 12'8" (5.56m x 3.86m). Bay window to the side with full length wooden panelled shutters. Wood flooring, plain coved ceiling, downlights and pendant light, upright radiator. The replica stone Georgian fireplace is a solid fuel fire, with ash collecting in a chute below that leads down into the cellar.
Kitchen Breakfast Room 19'5" x 16'6" (5.92m x 5.03m). Double doors to the side, window to the side, flagstone flooring with electric underfloor heating. Plain ceiling with downlights. Solid oak wall and base units, floor to ceiling larder cupboard & central island, all with granite work surfaces, painted wood panelling/splashbacks and titanium tiles locally to the cooking area. Double butler sink with mixer tap and additional sink with mixer tap, hydro tap and in-built chopping board are located in the island unit. A two-pod gas-fired AGA, with two hot plates & two ovens, plus an AGA gas hob and double electric fan oven pod. Integrated Miele dishwasher, built in fridge, two pull-out plate shelves. Smoke alarm.
Laundry Room/Pantry 10'7" x 9' (3.23m x 2.74m). Sky light & internal window to side. Flagstone flooring with underfloor heating. Plain apex ceiling with downlights. Part-fitted cupboards and sink with mixer tap. Space for dishwasher, tumble dryer, washing machine and a large double-fronted fridge freezer.
Downstairs Shower Room/WC 8'1" x 5'5" (2.46m x 1.65m). Sky light and internal windows to the side with a full height wooden shutter and flagstone flooring. Shower cubicle with overhead and handheld showers, low level w.c., pedestal sink & heated towel rail. Built-in full height storage cupboards.
Lower Ground Floor
Wine Cellar 22'1"x11'1" (6.73mx3.38m). Brick flooring and walls. Wooden ceiling, downlights, storage areas including original slate shelving and original mesh screen doors.
Boiler Room/Fitness Room 16'1"x14'11" (4.9mx4.55m). Window to front, brick flooring, painted brick walls. Wooden ceiling, downlights. Worcester boiler, two Main unvented indirect water cylinders (incorporating immersion heaters). Gas & electric meters and consumer unit. Two vented doors to the cellar.
Bike Store 10'11"x8'2" (3.33mx2.5m). Double door to the front, accessible via steps at the front of the property, clay tiled flooring, wooden ceiling with downlights, painted brick walls and wooden panelling on the staircase. Space for fridge and upright fridge freezer
First Floor
Landing Original wall recesses for book and candle. Smoke alarm.
Main Bedroom 18'9" x 15'7" (5.72m x 4.75m). Double aspect windows to side and privacy glass sash window to opposite side, fitted carpet, plain ceiling with pendant and picture downlighting. Floor to ceiling library shelving on three walls, one of which incorporates a build-in chilled drinks cabinet. Two radiators and a Victorian marble and cast- iron fireplace. Additional storage cupboard. Currently used as a library.
Ensuite Showeroom 5'3" x 4'4" (1.6m x 1.32m). Window to rear, slate flooring with electric underfloor heating. Plain ceiling with downlights and extractor fan. Predominantly slate tiled walls, double shower cubicle with overhead and handheld showers. Wall hung sink with vanity drawer unit and mixer tap. Mirror with electric lighting, heated towel rail and recessed storage
Bedroom 11'1" x 12'3" (3.38m x 3.73m). Window to side, fitted carpet, plain ceiling, downlights, upright radiator. Built-in shelving/storage cupboards either side of Victorian Marble cast iron fireplace.
Bedroom 13'7" x 11'7" (4.14m x 3.53m). Dual aspect windows to front and side. Pain ceiling with downlights, upright radiator. Victorian marble and cast-iron fireplace with single inbuilt bookcase on one side
Bedroom 11'8" x 10'10" (3.56m x 3.3m). Window to front, plain ceiling, downlights, upright radiator. There is a floor to ceiling built in wardrobe along one wall. Victorian cast-iron fireplace.
Family Bathroom 10'6"x 9'6" (3.2mx 2.9m). Window to rear, with Victorian shutters and tiled slate flooring. Plain ceiling with downlights. Bath with hot and cold taps plus handheld shower, pedestal sink with hot & cold taps, low level w.c. Heated towel rail, Victorian cast-iron fireplace, two built in cupboards, plus heated airing cupboard with additional radiator below bottom.
Second Floor Landing
Landing Skylight, fitted carpet, plain apex ceiling, downlights, and Victorian cast-iron fireplace. Built in cupboards on two walls. Smoke alarm
Bedroom 18'10" x 10'2" (5.74m x 3.1m). Window to side, fitted carpet, plain apex ceiling, downlights and radiator.
Bedroom 11'11" x 9'3" (3.63m x 2.82m). Window to side, fitted carpet, plain ceiling, downlights, radiator and built in cupboard.
Study/Reading Room 13'4"' x 7'1" (4.06m' x 2.16m). Dormer window to front, fitted carpet, plain apex ceiling with downlights, radiator, fitted cupboards and bookcase shelving on 1 wall.
Walk-in Store 10'8" x 7'1" (3.25m x 2.16m). Apex plain ceiling with downlights; shelved off room at end of reading room, with its own door.
Outside
Off-street parking There is space for at least two cars in the off-street area, with lighting, accessed and protected by electric wooden gates.
Gardens, Lawns, Bank These sit to the front but mainly to the side of the house on several levels. There are a number of mature trees and flower beds, with vegetable patches in the garden and on the bank. The vendor estimate’s that the bank comprises around half of the land of the property and the deck and house around one-quarter, with the lawns, off-street parking and chicken run the remaining quarter.
The front of the house is curtained by a traditional Kent flint and brick wall (around 5ft high), plus a variety of trees. There is a walkway up a few steps and around behind the house that leads to a number of sheds, plus the brick steps (32) that lead up to the top of the bank, which is higher than the top of the house.
Decking York stone from the original walkway that separated the house from the rear cottage has been reused as part of the deck/BBQ area that is accessed straight out from the double doors in the kitchen. The shape of the decking is in keeping with that of the house and on exactly the same level. The deck, including the Patio & BBQ area, is approximately the same size as the ground floor area of the house. Wall and deck lighting, outside tap and outside electrical power sockets.
Sheds Behind the house, there are 2 sheds with lockable doors that are built into the bank. There is a third shed that is built between the bank and the back of the laundry room, that forms part of the border with Number 1.
Broadband Trooli fibre optic has been added recently via the telegraph pole in the garden, which offers between 300Mb - 900Mb ultra fast speed,
Transport Information
Trains: Mainline trains to London from Eynsford (1.5 miles) and Farningham Road (2.2 miles).
Fast trains (30 mins) to London Charing Cross, London Bridge, Cannon Street from Sevenoaks (12 miles) and Orpington (10 miles). London St. Pancras is 19 minutes by train from Ebbsfleet International (10 miles).
Air: Gatwick Airport (35 miles); Biggin Hill private airfield (12 miles).
Schools Nursery and Primary Schools: Farningham, Anthony Roper, Eynsford (walkable) 0.7 miles, Shoreham 4.3 miles, and Otford 5.6 miles.
Grammar Schools: Dartford, Maidstone, Tonbridge Girls and Judd Boys Grammar schools in Tonbridge.
Private Schools: Sevenoaks (co-ed), Tonbridge (boys) and Walthamstow Hall (girls). Cobham Hall (girls) in Cobham, Sackville School (co-ed) in Hildenborough and Radnor House (co-ed) in Sundridge.
Preparatory Schools: Sevenoaks (co-ed), Solefields (boys), New Beacon (boys), Walthamstow Hall (girls), The Granville (co-ed), Sevenoaks. St Michaels (co-ed), Russell House (co-ed) in Otford 5.5 miles; Radnor House (co-ed) in Sundridge; Steephill School (co-ed) in Hartley; Fawkham House School (co-ed) in West Kingsdown.
Eating & Drinking The house is within walking distance of 3 pubs (The Pied Bull, The Lion, The Chequers), and an Indian restaurant (Palace of India) in Farningham village.
There are 4 more pubs and a tea room, also in walking distance, in the next door village of Eynsford. The Castle Hotel and Rafferty’s Village Shop are the nearest in Eynsford (15 min walk / 2 min drive). The Malt Shovel and Five Bells are further along the high street near to the church, plus The Plough, which is across the ford by the river.
The Mount Vineyard, Shoreham (4 miles) has its own wine shop and pizza restaurant. The owners have recently acquired and completely and sympathetically renovated The Samuel Palmer, the 15th century pub across the road from the vineyard. The Woodlands Garden Centre in Ash also has a good café called the Twig & Spoon (4.6 miles).
Shopping There is a butcher’s in Farningham opposite The Lion. Eynsford has a well-stocked village shop, a butchers, newsagents, and Olivia’s Hair & Beauty. Bluewater main shopping centre (15 mins); John Lewis Food Hall in Bluewater. Waitrose in Longfield (8 mins), in Green Street Green (15 min) & Sevenoaks (22 mins). Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Lidl & Aldi in Sevenoaks; Co-op in West Kingsdown (5 mins); Asda in Swanley (8 mins); Lakeside Shopping Centre (12 miles).
Sport & Recreation There are 5 golf courses nearby – London Club (Ash), Pedham Place inc. public driving range (Swanley), Lullingstone Park and Darenth Valley (Shoreham), Birchwood Park (Dartford). Plus Wildernesse and Knole in Sevenoaks, and Nizels in Hildenborough, which also offers private health/fitness facilities as does Sevenoaks Sports, Swimming and Leisure Centre. Brands Hatch motor racing circuit is walkable in good boots. Farningham Cricket Club was founded in 1857 and still going strong.
Eynsford Castle (English Heritage); Lullingstone Park; Lullingstone Castle & World Garden; Lullingstone Roman Villa (English Heritage); Eagle Heights Wildlife Foundation, Eynsford; Knole Park, Sevenoaks (NT).
Darent Valley Path: The Darent Valley is one of Kent’s greatest hidden treasures with fine walking opportunities for all the family. The way-marked path is 19 miles (30.4km) long, following the meandering river from the banks of the busy River Thames at Dartford through the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to the Greensand Hills above Sevenoaks. Farningham sits roughly in the middle of this path.
Useful Information We recognise that buying a property is a big commitment and therefore recommend that you visit the local authority websites for more helpful information about the property and local area before proceeding. Some information in these details are taken from third party sources. Should any of the information be critical in your decision making then please contact Fine & Country Sevenoaks for verification.
Council Tax We are informed this property is in council tax band G, you should verify this with Sevenoaks Borough Council.
Tenure The vendor advises us that this property is Freehold. Should you proceed with the purchase of the property your solicitor must verify these details.
Appliances/Services The mention of any appliances and/or services within these sales particulars does not imply that they are in full efficient working order.
Measurements All measurements are approximate and therefore may be subject to a small margin of error.
Viewing Monday to Friday 9.00 am – 6.00 pm Saturday 9.00 am – 5.00 pm. Viewing via Fine & Country Sevenoaks.
Ref SEV/CB/ST/220818 HAR220176/D1
Read less
This is a Freehold property.
