Magnificent mansion living at Kenley Grange

Vistas over Kenley Common’s 138 acres of green open space and a secluded and peaceful setting just 14 miles from London – it’s hardly surprising that this was the location chosen for the residence of English gentlemen in the eighteenth century.

Set to reinstate this enviable setting to its former glory is Kenley Grange, a collection of four contemporary mansions that includes the historic mansion, Kenley House. Already two of the four country homes have been snapped up, so that now only Longwood House and the restored Kenley House remain. To give visitors a flavour of the lifestyle on offer, Longwood House has been transformed into a sumptuous Show Home.

From the entrance gates a long shingle driveway with turning circle gives visitors the chance to take in the beautiful setting and the Show Home’s imposing classic architecture, thoughtfully designed to complement its historic neighbour. Inside, a grand reception hallway welcomes guests and provides a breathtaking allusion to the sheer scale of the living space.

Homeowners will be able to relax and entertain in style. An open-plan kitchen, family room, orangery and dining room creates the ideal space for getting together and is sure to be the heart of this contemporary country home. An elegant drawing room provides a more formal place to entertain guests, while a study offers somewhere to hide the technology away. The ground floor accommodation is completed by a utility and cloakroom/WC.

Upstairs, the generous sleeping accommodation is arranged over two storeys. The master, second and third bedrooms all benefit from an en-suite bathroom and dressing room. While bedroom four has an en-suite and fitted wardrobes, bedrooms five and six are tucked away on the second floor and share a family bathroom. There’s also a games room on this floor which could equally be used as a gym or home cinema, taking advantage of the advanced home entertainment technology.

The wiring network enables homeowners to link both audio and video with full infrared remote control for the ultimate in home entertainment. So whether you wish to listen to the iPod in the kitchen, watch a DVD in the family room or relax watching the television in the master en-suite, it could all be available at the touch of a button.

When it comes to the specification, no expense has been spared or detail overlooked in order to create the finest possible living environment. The bespoke kitchen features handmade furniture by Scottwood of Nottingham, granite worktops and a full complement of appliances that would delight the most discerning chefs. Bathrooms and en-suites are equally lavish and feature sanitary ware from Villeroy & Boch with chrome fitments from the Vado collection and bespoke vanity units.

Meanwhile, the restoration of Kenley House is expected to be complete by the end of the summer. After being converted into flats and then offices, Millgate Homes is taking the unusual step of returning it to a single magnificent mansion. The classic Regency architecture is being carefully restored with private walled garden to the rear and the original ha-ha providing a natural boundary. The grounds also include a very special tree – the thousand year old Kenley House Oak which is one of England’s oldest trees.

While the setting is stunning, Kenley village benefits from a thriving community with its own schools, pubs and local amenities that cater for day-to-day needs. The nearby villages of Caterham and Bletchingley provide a selection of local shops and boutiques as well as a Waitrose store. For a wider selection of amenities, Croydon is just a short drive away offering a range of leisure facilities, high street shops and supermarkets.

Although Kenley boasts plenty of quintessential village charm, commuters will find transport links first rate. There are regular train services from Kenley station - which is less than ½ a mile away* - to London Victoria with journey times of around 33 minutes**. Meanwhile, the nearby M25 provides swift, easy access to the motorway network. For travel further afield, Gatwick airport is around 12 miles away and London City is just over 14 miles distant*.

Longwood House is priced at £3.5 million while Kenley House is on the market for a guide price of £4.25 million. To arrange a personal viewing or for further details, visit millgatehomes.co.uk.

* Source: upmystreet.com
**Source: nationalrail.co.uk