Skippers - 2026 by Alex Graham Publishing

Ashford | Folkestone | Hythe | Romney Marsh

A warm welcome from Skippers

As a proudly independent, family run business rooted in Ashford, Folkestone, Hythe & Romney Marsh, we bring you not only a showcase of the most desirable properties across Kent, but also the stories, history, and natural beauty that make our region so special. With decades of combined expertise, our team is dedicated to guiding you with care, professionalism, and a personal touch that makes finding your perfect home a true pleasure.

At Skippers Estate Agents, we believe that a home is more than just four walls; it is the heart of your lifestyle, the setting for your memories, and the foundation of your future. As an independent, family-run business with deep roots in Ashford and Folkestone, we understand that choosing a property is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. That’s why we combine decades of experience with a personal, attentive service that ensures every client feels valued, supported, and in safe hands.

But this magazine is more than a property showcase. It is a celebration of Kent itself: its history, its heritage, and countryside. Our home county has rightly earned its title as the Garden of England. From the rolling landscapes and orchards that surround Ashford, to the creative vibrancy and sweeping seafront of Folkestone, Kent offers a unique blend of tradition and modernity, peace and energy.

Finding the right home is not simply about location, it is about belonging. At Skippers, our passion is to help you make your moving dreams a reality.

Welcome to Skippers.

Get to know

Matt & Gemma

A husband-and-wife team with a passion for property and people.

With over 50 years combined experience selling homes across Ashford and Folkestone, Matt and Gemma have built a trusted reputation as local property experts. Since launching their own successful estate agency, they’ve become known for their genuine, hands-on approach and deep understanding of the local market.

Matt has called the area home since he was just 10 years old, and Gemma has lived here her whole life. Their love for the community, combined with their extensive industry knowledge, has been at the heart of their success.

Whether you’re buying, selling, or simply looking for advice, Matt and Gemma’s honest guidance and commitment to achieving the best results make them the go-to team for property in Ashford and Folkestone.

Results & Reviews

You

can trust in

A superb service from start to finish by the whole team... highly recommended!

Why our reputation matters, and why you should care

At Skippers, we know when you choose an estate agent, you pick more than a logo on a board, you place real trust in real people. That’s why we focus relentlessly on two things above all else: delivering excellent service to every client, and building a record of trust through real reviews and proven results.

From the first time of meeting, to viewing our new property, the staff at Skippers were so helpful and friendly. The property purchase was delayed, but Skippers kept us positive, their communication was excellent. Sue

Real reviews - real people, real feedback

Real reviews from real people matter, and ours tell a clear story. All of our feedback is publicly available on Google, offering complete transparency for anyone considering working with us. The reviews come from sellers, buyers, landlords and tenants alike, giving a true reflection of what every side of the property market can expect when they choose Skippers. What this collective feedback shows is simple: we don’t just promise good service - we deliver it, and our clients continually share their experiences with others.

More reviews about us

Scan the QR code to see more reviews about us.

Skippers Services Expertise that Delivers

Results

Skippers Estate Agents combine a family-run ethos with professional precision, offering sales, lettings, new homes and block-management services across Kent.

Professional Standards & Credibility

As a Propertymark-accredited agency, Skippers operate under independently regulated standards. The partnership between Propertymark and property expert Phil Spencer underscores the value of

working with a qualified professional agent. At Skippers we display the Propertymark Protected logo to give our clients reassurance that we adhere to a strict code of conduct and offer transparent service.

Digital & Social Media Exposure

We embrace digital channels to enhance visibility and engagement. Our growing followers on Instagram reflects our lively content and behind-the-scenes highlights.

On Facebook, we showcase property videos and client testimonials, reinforcing a brand that is modern, personable and locally connected.

This strong online presence underpins our listings and positions them effectively in today’s digital market.

The whole team were great, nothing was too much of a problem, especially Trina who dealt with our sale and purchase. She worked tirelessly to ensure things went as smooth as possible and helped us even after exchange.

Dawn

Marketing Excellence

Photography and marketing materials matter, and at Skippers we excel in this area. Our branded brochure emphasises professional photography, floor-plans, home-staging and detailed property description designed to make each listing stand out.

Our attention to visual detail not only attracts serious buyers but adds value for sellers. Our team clearly understand how presentation influences interest, enquiries and ultimately transactions.

Service with a Local Touch

Despite our emphasis on professional systems and marketing savvy, at Skippers we retain a warm, accessible feel. We are a family-run independent agency and promise exceptional communication, friendly service and genuine commitment.

More reviews about us

Scan the QR code to see more reviews about us.

"

Thanks to Natalie, Ian and Sadie for all their help throughout the sales and buying processes. Great service and always upfront with you about things. Really pleased with the new home! Highly recommend for both selling and buying in the area.

" " "

Neil

Fisher Street Farm, Badlesmere

5 BEDROOMS • 2 BATHROOMS • 3 RECEPTION

Nestled in the heart of the North Downs, Fisher Street Farm is a Grade II listed treasure that unites centuries of history with twenty-first-century comfort. This five-bedroom farmhouse with a separate one-bedroom annex offers rural tranquillity, privacy, and refined modern living.

Set within approximately an acre of idyllic Kent countryside, Fisher Street Farm is a home of rare character and charm. Dating back to the 14th century, this Grade II listed farmhouse beautifully blends its heritage features, exposed beams, inglenook fireplaces, and the striking dragon beam, with thoughtful modern upgrades that meet the needs of contemporary living. The spacious interiors balance elegance with practicality.

Take a look!

Scan the code to find your perfect next home.

At the heart of the home lies a bespoke kitchen, complete with granite worktops, high-end Siemens appliances, and a unique dry well, alongside a hidden bookcase that opens to reveal a secret passageway. Formal entertaining is elevated by the dining room’s inglenook fireplace and the lounge’s dualfuel log burner, while a dedicated study and generous cellar add further appeal.

Upstairs, the master suite offers triple-aspect views, a luxurious ensuite, and a bespoke fitted dressing room. Additional bedrooms, each with their own character, provide ample space for family and guests. Outside, the landscaped grounds include a tennis court, fenced pond, and a double car barn with storage and electric charging.

The detached one-bedroom annex, thoughtfully converted from a former stable, adds valuable flexibility. Perfect as guest accommodation, a holiday let, or multigenerational living, it retains original beams while offering modern comforts, including a fully fitted kitchen and shower room. With zoned underfloor heating, and an air-source heat pump,

Fisher Street Farm ensures sustainable comfort within a home of outstanding pedigree. Ideally situated near Faversham, Sheldwich, and Ashford, this unique property is both a peaceful retreat and a practical base for modern country living.

A conversation with

Ian & Harry

Pricing, Presentation & the Perfect Launch: A Q&A with Skippers Estate Agents’ Branch Directors.

In a market where buyers make instant decisions and online presentation can make or break a sale, the importance of high-quality marketing and strong property presentation has never been greater.

We sat down with Harry Best, Director & Head of Ashford Sales and Ian Cullis, Director & Head of Folkestone Sales, to discuss how Skippers’ - customers first strategy continues to drive success across Kent. .

Q: Harry, The Ashford office consistently produces results year after year, how central is the quality of your marketing to that success?

Harry: Hugely central. Pricing is crucial, but before a buyer even considers the price, they react to the presentation. Their first impression happens online within seconds.

If your photography, floorplan and description don’t stand out, no matter the price, this can’t save your listing.

Our focus is on delivering what we call a ‘premium launch’:

Professional photography that highlights key features

Detailed, accurate descriptions

• Floorplans that tell the story of the space

Eye-catching online presentation tailored to marketing portals and social media

• Targeted marketing to reach the right buyers

This level of marketing consistency is one of the key reasons we deliver results year after year. That doesn’t happen unless the marketing is driving strong engagement from the outset.

Q: You mentioned the importance of early engagement. How does presentation affect that crucial first phase?

Harry: The first two weeks are vitally important. A listing with exceptional presentation performs up to ten times better in terms of clicks, enquiries and booked viewings. High-quality imagery and marketing content elevate the perception of the home, which in turn elevates the perceived value.

A well-presented property positioned correctly from day one generates

excitement. That excitement translates into viewings. And viewings translate into offers.

Our consistency in agreeing the most amount of sales throughout Ashford shows that sellers trust us to launch their home the right way, not rushed, not improvised, but properly prepared and professionally marketed.

Q: Ian, Folkestone is a visually diverse market, from seafront flats to grand period homes. How important is presentation for you?

Ian: Presentation is absolutely everything here. Folkestone buyers often make very emotional decisions because the homes have so much character and variety. Poor photography or weak marketing undersells a home instantly.

You only get one shot at that ‘wow factor’. Serious buyers don’t click twice.

In our office, we spend a significant amount of time preparing a property for market.

We’ll advise on staging, helping owners declutter, bring in professional photographers, ensure kerb appeal is maximised & capture unique features that set the home apart.

The difference is remarkable. A home that might get lost in the world of property searches suddenly becomes a must-see when it’s launched properly.

Q: What advice would you give to sellers preparing to come to market in 2026?

Harry: Don’t rush. Rushing only costs you money. Take the time to prepare your home for the best possible launch. A week of preparation can add thousands to the result.

Ian: Trust your agent, especially when it comes to presentation. Decluttering, dressing rooms properly, even carrying out small repairs. These details matter far more than many people realise.

Final Thoughts

In a digital-first landscape, presentation is the currency of modern estate agency, and marketing is the engine that drives buyer activity. When combined with accurate pricing and deep local knowledge, this strategy delivers exceptional results, as demonstrated by our performance across both our offices.

Lettings

Q & A with Elli Best our head of lettings

Serving Ashford and the surrounding towns and villages, we cover a wide range of building and property maintenance services, including:

Hodges Building and Maintenance LLP is a trusted, family-run business based in Ashford, Kent. We pride ourselves on delivering high-quality workmanship at very competitive prices, with a strong reputation for reliability and attention to detail.

• New Builds

• Extensions

• Garage Conversions

• Loft Conversions

• Complete Refurbs

• Driveways

• Patios

• and everything in between

With full insurance and a strong commitment to health and safety, we ensure every project is completed to the highest standards. Our friendly, organised, and dependable service has made us a go-to choice for homeowners across the region. Get in touch

– we’re here to help with all your building needs.

Land & New Homes

Maximising the Potential of Land in Kent

When it comes to identifying, evaluating, and unlocking the value of land in Kent, we at Skippers offer a level of insight, strategy, and personal professionalism that landowners can truly rely on. Our specialist Land division focuses on helping clients understand opportunities, overcome complexities, and achieve the strongest possible outcomes.

A Dedicated Service for Landowners

Land acquisition and disposal require far more than traditional estate-agency skills. Skippers’ Land division has been developed specifically for landowners seeking clear,

expert guidance on how best to use, sell, or promote their land. Whether the site is a single plot, a parcel with long-term potential, or larger acreage with development promise, our team begins with a detailed appraisal rooted in local market knowledge.

We assess planning prospects, emerging buyer trends, viability factors and the character of the surrounding area - vital considerations across Ashford, Folkestone, New Romney and wider East Kent. Skippers independent status enables us to offer frank, strategic advice without corporate bias, helping landowners make decisions with confidence and clarity.

Intelligent Land Appraisal & Strategic Positioning

We understand that every site is unique. Our team provides landowners with realistic assessments of value, potential yield, planning

constraints, and the likely appetite from housebuilders or strategic buyers. Crucially, we also advise on the best route to marketwhether immediate disposal, conditional sale, promotion agreements, or longer-term planning uplift.

By using data-driven insight and understanding local demand patterns, we help landowners position their land correctly from day one.

Skippers Estate Agents were instructed by a private landowner in Bethersden to provide a valuation and disposal strategy for a parcel of land that carried outline planning consent for three residential dwellings. The client’s objectives were clear:

This ensures the site is marketed to the right audience, at the right time, and in a way that protects and maximises value.

Marketing Strength with a Personal Touch

When land is ready to launch, our team prepare full marketing packages that reflect the professionalism of their brand - from mapping and site photography to bespoke brochures and targeted outreach. Our communication is transparent, our reporting clear, and our approach collaborative. We are a family-run business and pride ourselves on staying close to each client and tailoring every step of the process.

Why Landowners Choose Skippers

For landowners navigating planning potential, emerging infrastructure, or rising demand in Kent’s growth areas, our Skippers team offer a trusted partnership. With strong local knowledge and strategic depth, we help clients unlock opportunity, understand risk, and achieve the best possible outcome.

• Secure a reliable buyer,

• Achieve a strong price, and Ensure the transaction proceeded smoothly within their required timeframes.

Our land and new homes team worked closely with the seller to position the opportunity effectively in the market and identify the right type of purchaser. Within a competitive marketing period, we secured a sale to an experienced developer. We recommended a buyer who:

• Met all of the seller’s requirements,

• Demonstrated proven delivery capability, Had the financial position to proceed without delay, and shared the seller’s vision for a high-quality scheme.

An agreement was reached at a price that satisfied the landowner and reflected the site’s potential.

JPD Architecture

With over 30 years of experience, JPD Architecture is an architectural firm based in Kent, UK. We provide a complete architectural consultancy service for residential, conservation, community and commercial projects throughout London and the South East surrounding counties. JPD Architecture has a portfolio of remarkable bespoke designs from affordable homes to impressive multi-million pound mansions. Our supportive team will work with you from the initial design through to the execution and interior design, until you see your dream home become a reality.

Address: The Studio, Tower Farmhouse, Faversham Road, Boughton Lees, Kent, TN25 4HT. T: 01233 639822 E: contact@jpdarchitecture.co.uk www.jpdarchitecture.co.uk

Architecture

We understand that one size doesn’t ﬁt all… that’s why we take time to listen and learn about you and your business, enabling us to offer a service tailored to you!

We believe accountancy is about more than numbers – it’s about building lasting relationships and helping you achieve your ﬁnancial goals and we pride ourselves on delivering expert advice with a personal touch.

Based in Ashford, Kent, Magee Gammon is one of the most prominent independent ﬁrms of Chartered Accountants in Kent and has been assisting businesses and individuals since 1992.

Magee Gammon

Whether you want to grow, adapt, diversify or safeguard personal or business assets, we provide strategic, forward-thinking advice that empowers confidence and long-term stability. Our expert team is ready to support you. To arrange a no obligation meeting, call 01233 630000 or visit our website to complete our online contact us form so we can help shape your future together.

Folkestone & Hythe

Coastal Living Reimagined

Where the Kent coast meets the Downs, Folkestone and Hythe offer a lifestyle of creativity, calm, and connection. Blending seaside charm with modern regeneration, this part of the Garden of England has become one of the South East’s most inspiring places to live, work, and unwind.

Folkestone has evolved into a place where coastal heritage and artistic energy blend effortlessly. Once a bustling Victorian resort, the town has been beautifully revived with a focus on culture, creativity, and community. The Creative Quarter bursts with

independent studios, galleries, and coffee shops, while the regenerated Harbour Arm has become a lively social hub for dining, live music, and sea-view strolls. Art installations dot the seafront, reflecting the town’s bold, contemporary spirit.

Just along the shoreline, Hythe offers a contrasting serenity - elegant period homes, tree-lined avenues, and the tranquil Royal Military Canal create a setting of timeless calm. The nearby Kent Downs provide walking trails and sweeping coastal views, while golden beaches invite relaxation.

With High Speed 1 reaching London St Pancras in under an hour and the Eurotunnel just minutes away, Folkestone and Hythe capture the perfect balance between coastal charm, countryside peace, and effortless connectivity.

New Romney

Heritage by the Sea

Steeped in maritime heritage and anchored in the extraordinary landscape of the Marsh, New Romney captures the quiet beauty of Kent’s southern coastline. Once a thriving Cinque Port, the town now offers an ideal blend of seaside tranquillity, rural charm and a captivating sense of place.

Once one of England’s most important Cinque Ports, its ancient streets still tell stories of a bustling harbour long since reclaimed by the sea. The flat marshlands and proximity to the Channel made the area a hotbed of smuggling between the 17th and early 19th centuries. Despite this clandestine past, today the town retains its historic character, with independent shops, cosy tearooms and Georgian- and medieval-era buildings lending it timeless appeal.

The St Nicholas Church, standing proudly at the town’s centre, hints at New Romney’s seafaring past, while the nearby Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway adds nostalgic charm as its miniature steam engines whistle across the marshes. Just beyond, the dunes of Greatstone and Dungeness offer vast, cinematic landscapes beloved by artists and photographers alike.

Excellent access to road and rail links New Romney to near by towns and cities, yet it remains delightfully unspoiled. With its balance of heritage, coastline and countryside calm, New Romney is a place where coastal living meets natural wonder and historic intrigue.

St. Marys Road, Dymchurch

4 BEDROOMS • 3 BATHROOMS • 2 RECEPTION

Set just moments from Dymchurch’s golden sands and scenic sea wall, this beautifully presented four-bedroom detached home offers the perfect combination of modern family living and relaxed coastal charm. Thoughtfully extended and finished to a high standard, the property provides generous, versatile spaces ideal for both everyday life and entertaining.

Scan the code to see the video tour

At the heart of the home lies a stunning open-plan kitchen, dining and living area, designed around natural light and effortless flow. The contemporary kitchen features sleek cabinetry, integrated appliances and a central island, while bi-fold doors open directly onto the sun-soaked rear garden - creating a seamless indoor–outdoor lifestyle perfect for summer gatherings..

Upstairs, the property continues to impress with four well-proportioned bedrooms, including a superb principal suite complete with built-in storage and a modern en-suite shower room. The remaining bedrooms are ideal for family, guests or home-working, all served by a stylish family bathroom.

Outside, the enclosed rear garden provides a peaceful retreat with a combination of lawn, patio and sheltered seating areas, while the front of the property benefits from ample driveway parking and an integral garage.

Located on a sought-after road within easy reach of Dymchurch’s beach, shops and village amenities, a this home offers a rare opportunity to enjoy contemporary coastal living in one of Kent’s most welcoming seaside communities.

over 30 years’ experience surveying homes across the county. His hands-on involvement in building and renovating five properties provides valuable insight into construction methods and managing trades, utilities and planning issues. We offer quality surveys, clear reports and outstanding customer service at a reasonable cost, with a personal, one-to-one approach from initial discussion through to explaining our findings.

Glenn Blakeston Surveying is an independent Chartered Building Surveying practice near Ashford, Kent. Partner Glenn Blakeston has

Hurstfield, Canterbury Road, Challock, Ashford, Kent TN25

Partner Glenn Blakeston

Trusted expert legal advice

As Solicitors covering London, Kent and East Sussex, Burtons have been relied on to provide trusted and cost effective legal assistance for over 40 years. We understand the value of a personal, friendly and professional service

Kent and Sussex Renowned Solicitors

Burtons Solicitors

An Homage to the County of Kent

Burtons Solicitors reflects on the character of Kent through the lens of place, heritage and ownership, tracing the qualities that make the county so distinctive and setting out the responsibilities that accompany buying a home in one of England’s most storied landscapes.

Stepping inside, a welcoming lounge and dining space lead through to a sleek kitchen fitted with modern appliances. Dual patio doors open onto a thoughtfully laid-out rear garden - a private outdoor retreat with paving, lawn and even potential for off-road parking via rear access.

Upstairs, the two double bedrooms are complemented by a fully refurbished bathroom while high-spec finishes throughout, double-glazed windows, and a new boiler contribute to the home’s EPC “C” rating.

Outside, the garden’s composite decking, patio and lawn offer a peaceful spot for relaxation or entertaining, just a few steps from the kitchen.

Quiet yet convenient, the property enjoys easy access to Folkestone’s transport links, amenities and coastal fringe - ideal for first-time buyers, couples, or those seeking a low-maintenance town home.

This home offers a bright, stylish retreatcombining modern convenience and the calm of a well-established neighbourhood.