6 bedroom detached for sale

DESCRIPTION
An incredible opportunity to acquire an iconic landmark property in a privileged and exhilarating cliff top location from where it commands an enviable panorama over The White Cliffs, along the coastline to Folkestone, of the sea and, on a clear day, to the coast of France.

The current owner has completed a sympathetically executed programme of repair and restoration of the house resulting in a truly exceptional property which commands breathtaking views of the sea from almost every room. The house boasts a wealth of original details from decorative plasterwork and detailed joinery to impressive fireplaces throughout the elegantly proportioned and well appointed accommodation. This includes a grand reception hall leading to the stunning drawing room which is open plan to the dining room, a beautiful ground floor bedroom with en-suite shower room (which could equally be used as a second sitting room), a sublime kitchen/breakfast room with bi-folding doors to a large sea facing terrace and hot tub, utility room and cloakroom. On the first floor there are four bedrooms, three with en-suites, the principal room with a generous sea facing balcony, and a bathroom. There is the potential to create additional bedrooms by reinstating the original roofline of the house which once housed three more bedrooms. The lower ground floor is arranged to provide a well planned, self contained one bedroom apartment with a generous open plan kitchen/dining/living space.

The grounds, which total circa 2.5 acres, provide an idyllic and secluded setting for this imposing property. A sweeping gravelled driveway meanders between expanses of lawn to a wide parking and turning area at the front of the house and an underground garage. A wonderful terrace with a large hot tub provides an extraordinary setting for alfresco entertaining however, at a high point of the grounds is an incomparable decked terrace in part overhanging the cliffside, from where unrivalled views of the sea and the coastline can be enjoyed with guests being catered for from the adjoining outdoor kitchen. There is also a purpose built shower room serving a beautiful Airstream caravan which is tucked away in the vicinity offering a further unique aspect to the property.

Abbots Cliff House also enjoys a rich history having played a key role in WWII after being requisitioned in 1940, it operated throughout the war, despite being occasionally strafed by German fighter planes, as a listening post which collected radio communications from Germany directing aircraft or fast moving E-boats in the English Channel. The staff of around 60 German linguists, mainly young women, were employed to live log the communications. This type of interception had never been done before for voice communications and the tactical nature of the information collected by the young women helped to protect British pilots and sailors. It is also understood that Sir Winston Churchill was a regular visitor to the house. In more recent times, Abbots Cliff House has even been used as a film set.

For room sizes please refer to the floorplan.

SITUATION
Capel-Le-Ferne is an idyllic location on the south Kent coast, positioned on top of the White Cliffs of Dover, between Folkestone and Dover. Abbots Cliff House is at the easternmost point of the village at the end of a peaceful lane, in a delightfully secluded setting on the cliff top from where it boasts outstanding views over the English Channel. The lane continues to a trail leading all the way to Samphire Hoe, a picturesque stretch of coastline and nature reserve and to Dover which, for any fitness enthusiast, feels like your own personal running track. There is plenty of local countryside and the cliffs offer a spectacular walking opportunity, including towards the East Cliff and Warren Country Park in the direction of Folkestone.

Capels foremost attraction is the Battle of Britain Memorial which was opened by the Queen Mother on 9 July 1993 and dedicated to those who fought in the Battle of Britain between 10 July and 31 October 1940. The Memorial is built upon part of a former WW2 coastal battery. The village has its own primary school, country stores, local pubs that offer food and regular bus services running to either Folkestone or Dover.

Folkestone is a vibrant town well served by a variety of educational facilities including boys and girls grammar schools. The town is known for its thriving Artists Quarter with a host of shops, galleries, studios, eateries and venues offering music, theatre and entertainment. The Old High Street, a winding cobbled lane, is home to a variety of independent boutique shops and meanders down toward the harbour and the revitalised harbour arm with champagne bar, various eateries and live music. There are two mainline railway stations from where the High Speed Link service to London, St Pancras is available (journey times of around 53 minutes). The M20, the Channel Tunnel Terminal and Ferry Port of Dover are all within easy reach.

• Freehold