The counties of Kent and East Sussex are well known historically for their rural landscape, fertile farmland and beautiful coastlines, and for their border within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
They also share an architecture that is full of character and still very much admired. While the iconic oast house design (hop kilns with a conical roof) is the most famous, and many of those have been converted from their original industrial use to residential, that style is now only very rarely recreated brand new.
Historic homes in Wealden architecture
But other traditional house designs in this part of the world also have plenty of features which are being used by today’s housebuilders to see their new homes harmonise with neighbouring period buildings. Things like ‘hipped’ roof design, where each side slopes, clay roof tiles, hanging tiles, weatherboarding, gables and dormer windows are just some of these.
Here are a few of our favourite brand new homes for sale right now, inspired by the Kent/East Sussex vernacular.
Ellesmere, Hollingbourne, Kent
Hollingbourne is midway between Maidstone and Ashford, and made its name from being on the famous Pilgrims Way which links the cathedral cities of Canterbury and Winchester. It is also only a couple of miles from beautiful Leeds Castle. Ellesmere is a boutique development of properties in traditional styling, with a range of four- and five-bedroom detached houses available from £720,000 and £745,000 respectively. Pictured is ‘The Magnolia’, with five bedrooms and priced from £745,000 to £760,000. Find out more about Fernham Homes.
Pelham Place, Hailsham, East Sussex
There are currently a whole range of homes here, with two to five bedrooms, with plenty of them incorporating traditional design features. One is the semi-detached, four-bedroom ‘The Penhurst’, from £365,995, with en suite master bedroom and an integral garage. This development will also incorporate new shops and a new primary school. It’s just two miles from the town centre, three miles from Polegate station and around nine miles from numerous coastal resorts. Prices range from £269,995 to £495,995. Find out more about Pelham Place from Bellway.
Hawthornden, Yalding, Kent
Halfway between Maidstone and Tonbridge, the village of Yalding is alongside the River Medway and has a notable landmark in the mediaeval Twyford Bridge. Hawthornden is a development of 30 homes with numerous vernacular features as well as eco-friendly open spaces, bird boxes and two ponds. Currently available are everything from a three-bedroom mid-terrace for £460,000 to a lavish five-bedroom ‘Beddington’ five-bedroom villa (pictured, and the site’s show home) at £870,000. Residents are well connected via major roads (M20 and M25) and from the village’s railway station. Find out more at www.millwooddesignerhomes.co.uk.
Berberis Place, Shadoxhurst, Kent
This is a small collection of attractive two-, three- and four-bedroom homes in a village known as ‘the woodland gateway to the countryside’, being surrounded by forest and farmland. It is also around 10 minutes from Ashford, with its impressive range of shops and leisure facilities and its well-connected station. Each of these properties features private parking and a high specification throughout. Prices on application. Find out more about Berberis Place from Pentland Homes.
The Nightingales, Crowborough, East Sussex
Connells (www.connells.co.uk) is representing Riverdale Developments at this development in the heart of the High Weald. It’s a collection of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes just a couple of miles from the town centre and a mile from Crowborough station. Among them, priced at £799,000, is a beautifully designed detached house with four bedrooms (two en suite) and a study that could make a fifth bedroom. It comes with a double garage and driveway.
Bicknor Wood, Otham, Kent
Bicknor Wood is a development of new homes constructed in a variety of styles, in a village south-east of Maidstone. They incorporate open-plan living spaces, and en suite shower rooms, and all homes have gardens and garages, or parking. There’s also a pond and adventure play area for residents to enjoy. One of the premium properties available is ‘The Oak’, an impressively spacious five-bedroom home on the market for £559,995, an open-plan kitchen and dining area with utility room, separate living room, a media room, and en suite to bedroom one. It comes with a double garage. The development will appeal to a range of buyers, with two- to five-bedroom homes priced between £304,995 and £592,995. Find out more about Bicknor Wood from Bellway.
Millwood Park, Hailsham, East Sussex
This development of two-, three- and four-bedroom houses from Linden Homes is on the south-eastern edge of Hailsham, an historic town for nature lovers that is short distance from the High Weald, South Downs and Sussex coast. Local amenities within a short distance include shops, eateries and a good choice of local schools. There are great road and rail connections from this part of the world too. Apartments start at £172,950, houses start at £259,950 for two bedrooms. Pictured is the three-bedroom ‘The Elmslie’, from £309,950. Find out more at www.lindenhomes.co.uk.
The Parsonage, Marden, Kent
Marden mixes the feel of a ‘classic’ Kent village with the modern convenience of ease of commuting and connections to the likes of Ashford, Tonbridge and Maidstone. The house types at The Parsonage are from Redrow’s Heritage which hark back to an older era. The last available is the aptly named ‘Canterbury 1’, a four-bedroom home with detached double garage. This is priced at £629,995. Find out more about The Parsonage from Redrow Homes.
Waters Reach, Wadhurst, East Sussex
Wadhurst is a sought-after market town in a particularly scenic part of the world, close to the border with Kent. The development is delivering a whole range of property size and type but right now it’s the larger ones which are available, with prices starting at £799,950. Plot 9 is particularly appealing. This five-bedroom, four-bathroom detached home with detached double garage provides 2,360sq ft of living space and views over Bewl Water, one of the major features of the High Weald. It is priced £999,950. Find out more at rydonhomes.co.uk.
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