SOLD VIA FINE & COUNTRY
GUIDE PRICE £1,250,000 - £1,350,000
Tucked away in a tranquil setting within an area known to some as Otford Hills, Whitegate Cottage is a rare gem, steeped in history and offered to the market for the first time since 1969. Once the woodcutter’s cottage for the prestigious St. Clere Estate, this charming pre-18th century home has been thoughtfully extended and lovingly maintained over the decades, evolving into a warm and welcoming family home rich with character and surrounded by nature.

Set within in excess of 11.5 acres of land including 1.18 acres of beautifully maintained formal gardens, tennis court and swimming pool, the cottage enjoys breathtaking views across rolling fields and woodland. A sweeping approach lined with seasonal bluebells sets the tone for the peace and beauty that envelops the home. Inside, original flintwork hints at the property’s heritage, blending seamlessly with more modern comforts, including some underfloor heating and solar panels.
The sitting room with working fireplace has French doors open onto the gardens, inviting the outdoors in. It’s a space made for family gatherings, while the bright and spacious kitchen, with its bespoke cabinetry and French windows opening onto a sun-drenched patio, is perfect for both relaxed breakfasts and joyful entertaining.

The accommodation flows gracefully with a formal dining room, a snug or study complete with fireplace and bespoke shelving, and a generous kitchen breakfast room with French doors that leads to the garden, a practical utility boot room completes the ground floor accommodation. Upstairs, the main bedroom offers triple-aspect views, fitted wardrobes, and an en-suite bathroom, while four further bedrooms and additional bathroom and shower room provide ample space for family and guests.

The gardens are truly something special – mature trees, flowering borders, and wide lawns stretch out to a heated outdoor swimming pool, an exceptionally well maintained tennis court and enchanting woodland. The grounds have hosted everything from weddings to birthday celebrations, and the woods have been a haven for generations of children, full of adventures, den-building and camping. A double timber garage, and additional outbuildings including a tractor store, swimming pool pump house, summer house, and wood shed offer practical storage and practical extras.

Situated in a peaceful rural setting, this family home is surprisingly well-connected. The M20 and M25 motorways are just a short drive away, giving easy access to London, Gatwick and Heathrow airports, Bluewater shopping centre, and the Channel ports. The nearby mainline stations at Otford and Sevenoaks offer direct rail services into London, ideal for commuters. Local amenities include a doctors’ surgery, church, village pub, primary school and the well-regarded St Michael's and Russell House Schools, all within easy reach along with well regarded secondary schools in the surrounding area. Immersed in countryside, the property is located ideally for exceptional walks, with direct access to the North Downs and Pilgrims Way.

Whitegate Cottage is a place where the outdoors becomes part of everyday life – the sun rising over the fields, woodland walks and adventures, pool parties and evening entertaining. This exceptional home now awaits a new family to make their own mark on this truly special property. Offered with no forward chain, this is a unique opportunity to own a piece of Kentish history and create a lifetime of memories in one of the area's most enchanting homes.

Location    The property is located between the villages of Otford and West Kingsdown close to Sevenoaks and in easy reach of Brands Hatch motor racing circuit. Lullingstone Castle is within easy visiting distance, being only three miles away. The area offers everyday local facilities including doctors’ surgery, public house, local church, primary school and St Michael's and Russell House Schools. With M20/M25 motorways within easy access providing links to both Gatwick and Heathrow airports, London, Bluewater and Channel ports. Main line stations can be found in the adjoining villages of Otford, Longfield, Eynsford and Farningham Road. It is also located nicely between Sevenoaks and Ebbsfleet stations, offering additional high speed options into London.

Seller Insight    “Whitegate Cottage has been our family home since 1969, a place filled with a lifetime of cherished memories. When our parents purchased it, it had been the woodcutter’s cottage for St. Clere Estate. They fell in love with the pre 18th Century cottage and saw it’s potential, lovingly extending and renovating it to create a beautiful family home. They made it truly their own, acquiring additional land and woodland, transforming the dew pond into a swimming pool, and thoughtfully preserving the original flintwork in the hallway - a timeless nod to the cottage’s rich history.”

.    “The sitting room has always been the heart of the home, with its magnificent fireplace providing a cosy retreat and French windows that open onto the garden. Every Christmas, the tree stood proudly in this room, for memorable family Christmases. The kitchen, too, has been a place we have thoroughly enjoyed; a light-filled, welcoming space, with wonderful French windows onto the patio with sunshine and stunning views, perfect for entertaining.”

.    “In summer, the heart of the home moves to the garden. Hours and hours of swimming, running around, playing football, cricket, volleyball and any game you can imagine. Putting in the pool was a masterstroke by our parents, as it has brought so much joy to us and our families. The tennis court, loved not only for tennis, but as a place where our children learned to ride their scooters and bikes, in addition to being the perfect place for marquees for weddings and 21st parties. The woods were a magical place for us growing up, and more recently for our children – camping, climbing trees, building dens and enjoying other adventures. Spring brings an explosion of bluebells in the woods, creating the most stunning approach to the house.”

.    The views are simply breathtaking, stretching across rolling fields and woodland, offering amazing tranquillity, but with the convenience of being only a 10–15-minute drive from both the M20 and M25, and with direct, fast trains to London from Otford and Sevenoaks.”

.    “There are excellent schools nearby and local shops are conveniently located in West Kingsdown, Otford and Kemsing. In the village there is also a wonderful 11th-century church where we were all christened and married, a library, and a charming garden centre nearby. The surrounding countryside is wonderful for walks over the fields onto the North Downs and Pilgrims way. Our hamlet WhatsApp group ensures that, even in this peaceful rural setting, we all look out for one another.”

.    “Leaving Whitegate Cottage will be heart breaking. It has always been a home for celebration. Over the years, we have hosted countless gatherings - pool parties, birthdays, barbecues, and even our father’s summer office parties. This home has given us an incredible childhood and life, a place where family and friends have always come together, and where the outdoors has been an extension of our lives. It is a true family home, filled with warmth, love, and history, and we hope that another family will embrace it as we have, creating their own cherished memories in this very special place.”

Directions    From our Fine & Country office in Otford village head south towards High Street, at the roundabout take the first exit onto Station Road A225. Turn right onto Pilgrims Way East, turn left onto Rowdow Lane and then take a slight right onto Birchin Cross Road. Follow the road until you arrive at Clarkes Green Road, a right fork in the road. Take the turning into Clarkes Green Road until you reach a crossroads and continue along the road ahead, into Tinkerpot Lane where the property will be found further up the hill on your right hand side.

Entrance Hall    Door to front. Double glazed Georgian style elevated window to front. Double glazed Georgian style window to side. Double glazed Georgian style French door to side. Plain ceiling with downlights. Carpet. Tiled flooring with underfloor heating. Radiator. Understairs cupboard. Flint feature walls.

Cloakroom 8'9" x 5'2" (2.67m x 1.57m). Double glazed Georgian style window to front. Plain ceiling. Tiled flooring. Radiator. Low level WC. Bowl wash hand basin with mixer taps. Extractor fan.

Sitting Room 25' x 15'8" (7.62m x 4.78m). Double glazed Georgian style window to front, rear and side. Double glazed Georgian style French door to rear. Plain ceiling. Carpet. Two radiators. Working brick fireplace.

Dining Room 14'10" x 9'6" (4.52m x 2.9m). Double glazed Georgian style window side. Plain ceiling. Carpet. Radiator.

Snug/Study 14'10" x 11' (4.52m x 3.35m). Double glazed Georgian style window to front and side. Feature window to hall. Plain ceiling. Carpet. Working fireplace. Fitted desks and shelving.

Kitchen/Breakfast Room 20'8" x 10'10" (6.3m x 3.3m). Double glazed Georgian style window to rear. Double glazed French door to rear and sides. Double glazed full-length windows to side. Beamed ceiling with downlights. Tiled floor with underfloor heating. Bespoke wooden kitchen with laminate worktops. Composite sink and drainer with tap. Space for dishwasher. Zanussi electric cooker with double oven and hob. Space for fridge freezer. Cupboard housing emersion heater.

Utility Room 14'9" x 5'1" (4.5m x 1.55m). Double glazed door to side. Window to side. Plain ceiling. Vinyl flooring. Radiator. Space for washing machine. Space for tumble dryer. Grant oil boiler. Shelving.

Landing    Double glazed Georgian style window to rear. Plain ceiling. Loft access. Carpet.

Main Bedroom 18'3" (5.56m) x 15'11" (4.85m) at widest point. Double glazed Georgian style windows to front, rear and side. Plain ceiling. Carpet. Radiator. Fitted wardrobes in dressing area.

En-Suite Shower Bathroom 8' x 5'3" (2.44m x 1.6m). Double glazed Georgian style window to front. Plain ceiling with downlights. Tiled flooring. Heated towel rail. Panelled bath and shower. Wash hand basin in vanity unit with mixer taps. Low level WC. Extractor fan. Fully tiled. Power shower option.

Bedroom 12'4" x 7'9" (3.76m x 2.36m). Double glazed Georgian style window to rear. Plain ceiling. Carpet. Radiator.

Bedroom 11'11" x 8'10" (3.63m x 2.7m). Double glazed Georgian style window to side. Plain ceiling. Carpet. Radiator.

Bedroom 15'2" x 9'2" (4.62m x 2.8m). Double glazed Georgian style window to side. Window to side. Plain ceiling. Carpet. Radiator. Sink. Cupboard housing consumer unit and electricity meter.

Bedroom 11'11" x 11'5" (3.63m x 3.48m). Double glazed Georgian style window to side. Plain ceiling. Carpet. Radiator. Fitted wardrobes and cupboards.

Bathroom 9' x 4'8" (2.74m x 1.42m). Double glazed Georgian style window to front. Plain ceiling. Carpet. Heated towel rail. Radiator. Panelled bath with shower. Wash hand basin with mixer taps. Low level WC. Light with shaver socket. Extractor fan. Local tiling.

Shower Room 7'7" x 3'2" (2.3m x 0.97m). Plain ceiling with downlights. Tiled flooring. Shower. Heated towel rail. Extractor fan. Fully tiled.

Grounds and Garden Approximately 11.5 acres Titles K33775, K766330, K487724. 1.18 acres of formal garden with mature trees, shrubs and borders, tennis court and swimming pool, surrounded by post and rail fencing, in addition to picket fencing to the front of the property. Enhancing the garden further are two patio areas, a mature wisteria, laid lawn and natural areas for flowers and grasses. Trees including oak, beech and silver birch are nestled in this garden, while still allowing for far reaching views of surrounding fields and woodland approximately 10.37 acres with a pedestrian footpath away from the house and garden. The garden also has an outdoor tennis court, heated swimming pool with pump room, boiler room and summer house. The property also benefits from solar panels. Outside tap.

Double Garage 19'2" x 19'2" (5.84m x 5.84m). Timber double garage. Power and lighting.

Summer House 7'9" x 5'9" (2.36m x 1.75m).

Pump Room 7'5" x 5'6" (2.26m x 1.68m).

Boiler Room 7'5" x 3'8" (2.26m x 1.12m).

Tractor Store 13'7" x 9'2" (4.14m x 2.8m). Power and lighting.

Wood Shed 5'10" x 3'11" (1.78m x 1.2m).

Parking    Sweeping gravel driveway with ample parking.

Transport Information    Otford 2.7 miles
Wrotham & Borough Green 3.1 miles
Eynsford 3.4 miles
Sevenoaks 4.6 miles
Longfield 5.3 miles
Farningham 5.4 miles
Swanley 6 miles
Ebbsfleet 8.6 miles
The distances calculated are as the crow flies.

Local Schools    Primary Schools:
St. Edmund's Church of England Primary School 1.3 miles
Birtley House Independent School 1.7 miles
St George's CofE Primary School 2.3 miles
New Ash Green Primary School 3.7 miles
Fawkham CofE Primary School 3.8 miles

Secondary Schools:
Wrotham School 2.9 miles
Trinity School 3.3 miles
Milestone Academy 3.9 miles
Walthamstow Hall 4 miles
Longfield Academy 5.4 miles
Rowhill School 5.5 miles

Independent Schools:
St Michaels 2.2 miles
Russell House 2.8 miles
Sevenoaks Preparatory School 4.1 miles

Information sourced from Rightmove (findaschool). Please check with the local authority as to catchment areas and intake criteria.

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 for verification.

Tenure    The vendor confirms to us that the property is freehold. Should you proceed with the purchase of the property your solicitor must verify these details.

Council Tax    We are informed this property is in band G. For confirmation please contact Sevenoaks Borough Council.

Appliances/Services    The mention of any appliances and/or services within these 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.

Viewings    Monday to Friday 9.00 am – 6.00 pm
Saturday 9.00 am – 5.30 pm
Viewing via Fine & Country office.

Ref:    FCSEV/CB/FW/JT - 252703 - OTF250020/D1