Vale Cottage
Twitton Lane | Otford | Sevenoaks | Kent | TN14 5JS
Step inside Vale Cottage
This Circa 1830 charming period, detached cottage, we are informed once two properties, is in the idyllic hamlet of Twitton, Otford, has been a much-loved home and garden by its current owner since the 1970’s and is now available to the market for the first time in 50 years. Internally the property has many characterful features that include an open fireplace in the sitting room, space in the dining room where the bread oven would have been and original beams throughout the property, in addition there are secluded and cherished garden areas blending with the natural surroundings and far-reaching views. The ground floor comprises of entrance porch, sitting room, dining room, snug and kitchen. From the dining room the staircase leads to the first floor where there are three bedrooms and family bathroom.
The mature wrap-around, much loved garden is a delight with lawns, colourful established borders, flowering shrubs, a pond and beautiful views across the Darent Valley. This end of chain versatile charming property has bags of potential and is now looking for a new custodian that will refresh its interior and is sure to suit an array of buyers, including, growing families or those from London looking for an ‘escape to the country’ and a ‘get away from it all’ experience but yet still conveniently located for Otford village, Sevenoaks town and road and rail links into central London.
Location
Otford Village is an attractive 16th century village approximately 3.7 miles from Sevenoaks town centre. The village has a variety of small shops, historic houses, several pubs and a restaurant, a 16th century church, a library, the village primary school and nursery, a recreation ground and playground for small children as well as two halls which host events and club meetings. There are two private prep schools in the area: St Michael’s school which takes children from age 2 to 13, and Russell House School. At the centre of the village is a very picturesque spring-filled pond which is the location of the smallest listed duck pond in England. The attractive village green is surrounded by historic buildings including Chantry Cottage and St Bartholomew’s Church. Otford has a mainline rail service with frequent services to Victoria. Sevenoaks mainline station is approximately 3 miles away and provides frequent services to London Bridge/ Charing Cross.
Directions
From our Fine & Country office in Otford Village, head south on High Street, continuing onto Pilgrims Way West. Turn right onto Twitton Lane and the property is on your left hand side.
Seller Insight
In Spring 1973 we saw details in The Times of an idyllic country cottage in the hamlet of Twitton, Otford and felt compelled to view it right away. On arrival we were overwhelmed by the wide panoramic views on every side and a very special feeling. Our offer to purchase was accepted half an hour later and we’ve loved every minute of the last 50 years. Now it’s time to welcome other custodians to enjoy it, enhancing and developing it into their own forever home.
The present house dates from around 1830 and was originally two labourers’ cottages for estate workers on the estate of Lord Mildmay of Shoreham. He allowed many of his tenants to buy their properties at a knock down price which earned him their profound gratitude. The dining room still has the space where a bread oven would have been, the living room carries the traces of original oak beams and the recessed window seats give unrivalled views across the unspoiled Darent Valley. The first modernisation was carried out before our time in around 1950 with subsequent work in the 70’s. Who knows what more lies behind some of this earlier work? We later incorporated our own ideas, including the addition of a snug off the dining room, and the cottage garden. The extensive gardens have provided a safe haven for many years for a variety of wildlife and the changing seasons are heralded in by the profusion of flowering shrubs and plants which have been lovingly tended over so many years.
The hamlet is steeped in history with the site of the battle in Filston Lane where King Canute and his Danes were defeated by Edmund Ironside in 1016 still remembered by locals as Danes Hollow. We are also fortunate to have on our doorstep one of Kent’s greatest hidden treasures, the historic Darent Trail, the route used by Thomas Becket on his final journey to Canterbury. The ancient Pilgrims Way, which follows the authentic pilgrimage route from Winchester to Canterbury also runs nearby and offers spectacular long-distance hiking.
Twitton is a hamlet of just over a dozen homes, but its neighbourliness and character are quite disproportionate to its size. Locals often speak of it as ‘15 houses and a pub’, with the historic Rising Sun pub, a dog friendly free house, loved for its traditional tasty hot food, welcoming atmosphere, large garden and stunning views. Amongst our residents we include a beekeeper, a landscape gardener and a yoga practitioner. Nobody is ever too busy to do a kindness and the local WhatsApp Group usually manages to find a solution for small needs or queries. We shall sorely miss our closeknit community with its range of ages and professions.
Whilst Twitton has survived as a vibrant and distinct community in its own right, it benefits from the larger neighbouring village of Otford with its superb transport links to London, both the City and West End. Otford is a much loved and quintessentially Kent village, absolutely steeped in history, and preserving much of its traditional character. It is also the home of the only listed duck pond in the country, and we will miss the Otford ducks bringing traffic to a halt as they cross the road. Historic Sevenoaks, just 3 miles away, benefits from excellent schools and a range of shops and restaurants. Less well known is that Sevenoaks still benefits from its own hospital with inpatient and outpatient departments and a highly valued Minor Injuries Unit.”*
* These comments are the personal views of the current owners and are included as an insight into life at the property. They have not been independently verified, should not be relied on without verification and do not necessarily reflect the views of the agent.
Transport Information
Trains Stations:
Otford 1.3 miles
Dunton Green 1.4 miles
Bat & Ball 2.1 miles
The property is also within easy reach of Ebbsfleet Eurostar International Station.
The distances calculated are as the crow flies.
Local Schools
Otford Primary School 0.7 miles
Russell House School 1 mile
Dunton Green Primary School 1.2 miles
Shoreham Village School 1.5 miles
Sevenoaks Primary School 2 miles
Secondary Schools:
Knole Academy 1.8 miles
Trinity School 2.3 miles
Walthamstow Hall 2.5 miles
Radnor House Sevenoaks 3 miles
Sevenoaks School 3.3 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 Clifton & Co 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 – 6.30 pm Saturday 9.00 am – 6.00 pm
Viewing via Fine & Country office.
Agents notes: All measurements are approximate and for general guidance only and whilst every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy, they must not be relied on. The fixtures, fittings and appliances referred to have not been tested and therefore no guarantee can be given that they are in working order. Internal photographs are reproduced for general information and it must not be inferred that any item shown is included with the property. For a free valuation, contact the numbers listed on the brochure. Copyright © 2024 Fine & Country Ltd. Registered in England and Wales. Company Reg No. 06959315. Registered Office: Morgan Alexander Kent Ltd (formerly Fine & Country Kent Ltd.) 36 King Street, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1BS. Printed 30.07.2024
