Mileage
Westerham 2.2 miles, Sevenoaks 7.8 miles, Tunbridge Wells 18.1 miles, Gatwick Airport 21.3 miles, Heathrow Airport 44.5 miles, Central London 24.4 miles
Situation
Moorcroft is a wonderful house occupying an elevated position outside the small town of Westerham, which is mentioned in the Doomsday book in its Norman form Oistreham which is literally translated as Westerly Homestead. Westerham offers a good range of local shops, restaurants and other amenities. The nearby town of Sevenoaks offers a more comprehensive range of shopping and recreational facilities.
There are regular mainline train services to London Charing Cross/Cannon Street operating from the station of Sevenoaks with journey times from 35 minutes and services to London Victoria operating from the nearby town of Oxted. Road communications are excellent with easy access to the M25, A21 and the wider motorway network. The international airports of Heathrow and Gatwick are 21 and 44 miles respectively.
There are many good private and state schools in the area including Tonbridge School, Woldingham School, Sevenoaks School, Tonbridge Grammar School, The New School at West Heath and Walthamstow Hall.
Local leisure facilities include: Golf at Hever, Wildernesse, Knole and Nizels Gold and Country Club. Polo at the new Brightling Polo Club, Hurtwood Park, and Cowdray Park. Sailing on Chipstead lakes. Walking and Riding in the surrounding countryside and Hunting with the West Kent.
Description
Moorcroft formally known as Northfield was believed to have been built in 1928 and has brick and sandstone lower elevations with some timbering, tile hanging to the upper elevations leaded light windows and a tiled roof reminiscent of the Tudor style. The property is situated adjacent to 'Chartwell' the former home of Sir Winston Churchill who according to local hearsay would often drop around for tea, although based on his reputation his enthusiasm for tea might have been limited.
Accessed via decorative electric wrought iron gates and approached by an impressive driveway which is flanked by an avenue of trees, Moorcroft occupies an elevated position surrounded by its own land. A further set of ornate wrought iron gates open onto a drive in front of the house with working fountain and detached triple garage.
The house was extended and refurbished 10 years ago by the current owners creating a generously proportioned house with its internal accommodation arranged over four floors. The fine quality of this county house is apparent with the abundance of oak joinery including oak stripped floors, oak windows, panelled doors, radiator covers, ceiling timbers and an impressive oak balustraded staircase.
In addition to the main house there is ancillary accommodation in the form of a two bedroom flat above the detached double garage. There is a pavilion with office facilities and kitchen and equestrian facilities including two Loose Boxes, Tack Room, Hay Barn, Gardener's Store and Tractor Shed.
Accommodation
From the drive stairs lead up to the attractive stone Entrance Porch. A solid panelled oak door opens out onto the galleried Reception Hall. This room has many distinguishing features that are prevalent throughout the house including wood-strip flooring, oak panelling and exposed ceiling timbers. An impressive oak staircase with hand-carved balustrades leads to the first floor and separate staircase near the downstairs cloakroom descends to the lower ground floor and swimming pool area. Impressive double height stained glass windows flank the oak-panelled door providing a grand yet welcoming entrance to this fantastic house.
From the entrance hall, all the principal reception rooms are accessed. The south facing sitting room benefits from delightful views over the south terrace and gardens beyond and provides for perfect informal seating and entertaining. From the hall, doors either side of the impressive fireplace lead to the drawing room. This room has been greatly improved and extended during the works carried out by the current owner and has an open log fireplace with marble and brick surround and panelled oak mantle. Windows look out onto the south terrace and double doors open onto the octagonal timber-framed conservatory. The conservatory has stone floors and two sets of doors open out onto the south terrace. A set of double glass-panelled doors connect this room with the drawing room providing ample space for formal entertaining. The dining room has a large limestone fireplace and space for a large dining room table. A door gives access to the spacious, well-appointed Kitchen/Breakfast room which enjoys views over the garden and has access to the south-terrace. The bespoke designed kitchen includes fitted kitchen units and an island preparation area. There are top-of-the-range appliances including Meile electric five-ring stove, Thermadoor oven and plate warmer, and De Dietrich American-style fridge. The central island includes breakfast bar, built-in wine rack, dishwasher and food preparation sink. Attached to the kitchen is a good sized larder with built-in shelving providing good storage space for the kitchen. A further door opens onto the corridor from which the study and billiard room are accessed. The double aspect billiard room is an impressive room with oak-panelling, bar area, eating area and space for a full-sized snooker table. Beyond the billiard room is the utility room with built-in wall and floor cabinets, Meile washer and drier, drying cupboard and rear access to the gardens. At the end of the corridor is the second cloakroom with WC and hand washbasin.
Lower Ground Floor
Stairs from the main reception hall lead down to the lower ground floor lobby and swimming pool area. Doors from the lobby provide access to a number of store rooms, a laundry room with fitted cabinets and sink, boiler room and wine cellar. Stairs continue down to the swimming pool area. There is a viewing balcony with gym area, changing facilities with sauna and plant room. The swimming pool has been completely rebuilt in the style of a tropical lagoon. There is a granite rock face with waterfall and stone arch through which is Jacuzzi creating a grotto area.
First Floor
The grand oak staircase leads to the first floor landing with balcony overlooking the reception hall. The master bedroom suite has a large bay window offering fantastic views to the south, a dressing room with double doors leading out onto a balcony, shower room, WC and fully appointed bathroom with bath, wash basin, WC and bidet. In addition, on the first floor, there are three further bedroom suites, all of which have walk-in dressing areas and en suite bathrooms.
Second Floor
The rear stairs rise to the second floor and upper landing from which doors lead to the bedroom and attic room/nursery. The bedroom has exposed ceiling timbers, en suite bathroom with wood-strip flooring, stand-alone bath, WC and wash basin. A further door from the bedroom leads to the reading area with south-facing window overlooking the gardens and south terrace which has built-in seating and shelving.
Gardens and Grounds
The beautifully presented terraced garden lies mainly to the south and west of the main house. A good deal of the gardens are laid to lawn with some pretty herbaceous borders as well as varied species of trees including cherry blossoms and Scots pine. There is a hard surface tennis court located below the south terrace and a summer house tucked amongst the mature trees and shrubs. A stone path from the terrace winds through the gardens to the stables which are shielded by mature evergreens from the house. There are three loose boxes, of which one is currently being used as a gardener's shed, tack room with sink, tractor shed and hay barn to the rear of the stables. A track from the stables runs down the eastern border of the property providing easy access to the paddocks from the stables. The paddocks are enclosed in post and rail fencing and mature trees line the border of the property. To the rear of the property is an area of indigenous woodland which is easily accessed by steps to the rear of the Lodge.
The Lodge
Set away from the house and accessed from the second drive is the detached lodge. There is a double garage on the ground floor with a two bedroom cottage above. The cottage has a fully fitted Kitchen, Sitting Room, two Bedrooms and a Family Bathroom.
The Pavilion
Looking out over the tree lined drive and paddocks is the Pavilion. A set of French Doors open onto an open plan office with pine strip panelling, a private office which is separated from the main office by a large glass panelled wall, fully fitted Kitchen, Male and Female cloakrooms. Surrounding the Pavilion is a stone terrace with small pond.
Directions
From London join the M25 and exit at junction 5 signposted Westerham/Riverhead. Take the A25 to Westerham and upon reaching Westerham Village, on a sharp right hand bend, turn immediately left sign posted Edenbridge into Hosey Hill B2026. Proceed for 1.3 miles and turn left signposted Chartwell into Mapleton Road. The entrance to Moorcroft will be found after a short distance on the left hand side.
