2 Lavender Bank
Beesfield Lane | Farningham | Kent | DA4 0DA
Two Lavender Bank is an utterly exquisite must-see home and is one of two 300 year-old bay fronted properties. It has a date plaque of 1722 with the initials I.S and T.S which apparently relate to twin daughters of the local Lavender Farm that the properties were built for. Originally symmetrical, however, Two Lavender Bank was extended in the mid to late 19th Century, incorporating a cottage at the rear into the house, which is now part of the kitchen, and adding two floors above.
This Grade II
Listed four-storey home sits in a plot of around 0.3 of an acre and the accommodation comprises two/three reception rooms, study, kitchen, family room, six bedrooms, family bathroom, two shower rooms, one of which is en-suite, and a three-room cellar. Outside, there is a large deck and BBQ area at ground level, accessed from the kitchen’s double doors. There is a laid to lawn area and a variety of trees, including fruit trees, which provide for a high degree of privacy. There is also off-street parking for two cars, accessed via electric gates, with additional on-road parking alongside the front flint wall of the house. Since acquiring the property, the current owners have refurbished it throughout which has involved internal re-shaping, including some room size alterations, expanding the kitchen to be more than twice the size and garden-facing, and to fully incorporate what was an external path between the house and the cottage.
This charming period home must be viewed internally to fully appreciate the character and accommodation on offer.
Location
Farningham Village is a conservation area. It has a mainline railway station (Farningham Road) with regular services to London. Road links from the area giving access to A2/M2, A20/M20, M25 and Dartford Tunnel as well as Ebbsfleet International Station, airports, the coast and Channel Tunnel. Farningham can trace its history back to Neolithic times – flint and other tools have been discovered and these can be found in the Dartford Museum. The Romans occupied the general area after their invasion in the 1st century and, along with evidence of habitation down the road in Lullingstone, there is also evidence of Roman habitation in Farningham. Three farmhouses and three villas have been unearthed. The River Darent provided excellent trout fishing and Charles Dickens was a regular visitor here. Farningham had a watermill, powered by the River Darent, the building of which survives.
Directions
From High Street Farningham, head southeast towards Eynsford Road (A225). At the T-junction turn right then immediately left onto Beesfield Lane. The property is about 100 yards down on the left-hand side, with the long flint wall.
Transport Information Trains
Mainline trains to London from Eynsford (1.5 miles) and Farningham Road (2.2 miles). Fast trains (30 mins) to London Charing Cross, London Bridge, Cannon Street from Sevenoaks (12 miles) and Orpington (10 miles). London St. Pancras is 19 minutes by train from Ebbsfleet International (10 miles).
Air
Gatwick Airport (35 miles); Biggin Hill private airfield (12 miles).
Schools
Nursery and Primary Schools: Farningham, Anthony Roper, Eynsford (walkable) 0.7 miles, Shoreham 4.3 miles, and Otford 5.6 miles. Grammar Schools: Dartford, Maidstone, Tonbridge Girls and Judd Boys Grammar schools in Tonbridge. Private Schools: Sevenoaks (co-ed), Tonbridge (boys) and Walthamstow Hall (girls). Cobham Hall (girls) in Cobham, Sackville School (co-ed) in Hildenborough and Radnor House (co-ed) in Sundridge. Preparatory Schools: Sevenoaks (co-ed), Solefields (boys), New Beacon (boys), Walthamstow Hall (girls), The Granville (co-ed), Sevenoaks. St Michaels (co-ed), Russell House (co-ed) in Otford 5.5 miles; Radnor House (co-ed) in Sundridge; Steephill School (co-ed) in Hartley; Fawkham House School (co-ed) in West Kingsdown.
Seller Insight
Nestled within the beautiful Darenth Valley, nationally famous for its lavender farms, is the charming village of Farningham, and situated just a stone’s throw from its centre is this extremely attractive six-bedroom Grade II listed family home. “We moved out of London with our young children looking for a family home close to lovely villages, with access to good schooling and easy commuting into London, and we found all of those things, and a whole lot more at Number 2 Lavender Bank,” say the owners. “We can honestly say that we instantly fell in love with the house, which had a family-friendly vibe the moment we first walked through the front door twenty-six years ago.”
“The house began its journey three centuries ago this year, as it’s one of two identical properties that were built for the twin daughters of the local lavender farmer. Number 2 Lavender Bank was extensively remodelled in the early 19th and early 20th centuries, and again, by us, in the early 21st century. We undertook a major remodeling project to improve the flow of the house and also to dramatically expand the kitchen, reorienting it to the brighter, garden side of the house, with double doors opening onto the patio and deck. We’ve sympathetically refurbished our home in keeping with listed building regs, uncovering previously hidden features such as window shutters and fireplaces. We also completely rewired and replumbed, added a new central heating system, and we went back to the bare walls and floors and completely redecorated throughout.”
“Outside we’ve added extensive decking, a BBQ area and a patio, which used the original York stone flags from the walkway that used to lie between the cottage and the house. The overall space created is broadly the same area as the ground floor area of the house outside and on the same level, which makes entertaining so much more inclusive. It’s lovely sitting out in the garden, catching the evening sun and drinking in the birdsong. We especially like the high-bank nature of the space that provides additional privacy.”
“The heart of the home is the kitchen, where we have consistently enjoyed entertaining family and friends over the years. In fact, the whole property is very conducive to entertaining. Our annual Christmas family lunches for twenty-five people have always worked well in the house, and we were able to sit forty-five guests on the deck for my father’s 75th birthday party.”
“Farningham is twinned with Eynsford, just a mile or so down the road, and both are sought-after villages, boasting seven pubs, all within walking distance, a couple of butchers, a well-stocked village shop and a lovely Indian restaurant. Both village train stations have services to London, and fast services operate from Sevenoaks and Orpington, both around a fifteen-minute drive away. It’s a perfect spot for commuting, although I used to drive as I could get into my office in the City in forty-five minutes – quicker than the train.”
“Our three-room, full-height cellar is split into a gym, drinks fridge area, bike store and a wine room, which still has the original slate shelving that was used for drying lavender. When the children were young, we also put a table tennis table down there for added diversion so it’s a very flexible space in terms of how it can be used.”
“We’ve had twenty-six very happy years here, however we now feel it’s time to downsize and allow another family to write their chapter in the next phase of life in this lovely old house,” say the owners. “There’s so much that we’ll miss, but most of all it will be the warm and friendly atmosphere of the property as a whole.”*
* These comments are the personal views of the current owner 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.
Eating & Drinking
The house is within walking distance of 3 pubs (The Pied Bull, The Lion, The Chequers), and an Indian restaurant (Palace of India) in Farningham village. There are 4 more pubs and a tea room, also in walking distance, in the next door village of Eynsford. The Castle Hotel and Rafferty’s Village Shop are the nearest in Eynsford (15 min walk / 2 min drive). The Malt Shovel and Five Bells are further along the high street near to the church, plus The Plough, which is across the ford by the river. The Mount Vineyard, Shoreham (4 miles) has its own wine shop and pizza restaurant. The owners have recently acquired and completely and sympathetically renovated The Samuel Palmer, the 15th century pub across the road from the vineyard. The Woodlands Garden Centre in Ash also has a good café called the Twig & Spoon (4.6 miles).
Shopping
There is a butcher’s in Farningham opposite The Lion. Eynsford has a well-stocked village shop, a butchers, newsagents, and Olivia’s Hair & Beauty. Bluewater main shopping centre (15 mins); John Lewis Food Hall in Bluewater. Waitrose in Longfield (8 mins), in Green Street Green (15 min) & Sevenoaks (22 mins). Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Lidl & Aldi in Sevenoaks; Co-op in West Kingsdown (5 mins); Asda in Swanley (8 mins); Lakeside Shopping Centre (12 miles).
Sport & Recreation
There are 5 golf courses nearby – London Club (Ash), Pedham Place inc. public driving range (Swanley), Lullingstone Park and Darenth Valley (Shoreham), Birchwood Park (Dartford). Plus Wildernesse and Knole in Sevenoaks, and Nizels in Hildenborough, which also offers private health/fitness facilities as does Sevenoaks Sports, Swimming and Leisure Centre. Brands Hatch motor racing circuit is walkable in good boots. Farningham Cricket Club was founded in 1857 and still going strong.
Eynsford Castle (English Heritage); Lullingstone Park; Lullingstone Castle & World Garden; Lullingstone Roman Villa (English Heritage); Eagle Heights Wildlife Foundation, Eynsford; Knole Park, Sevenoaks (NT).
Darent Valley Path: The Darent Valley is one of Kent’s greatest hidden treasures with fine walking opportunities for all the family. The way-marked path is 19 miles (30.4km) long, following the meandering river from the banks of the busy River Thames at Dartford through the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to the Greensand Hills above Sevenoaks. Farningham sits roughly in the middle of this path.
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 Fine & Country Sevenoaks for verification.
Council Tax
We are informed this property is in council tax band G, you should verify this with Sevenoaks Borough Council.
Tenure
The vendor advises us that this property is Freehold. Should you proceed with the purchase of the property your solicitor must verify these details.
Appliances/Services
The mention of any appliances and/or services within these sales 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.
Viewing
Monday to Friday 9.00 am – 6.00 pm Saturday 9.00 am – 5.00 pm. Viewing via Fine & Country Sevenoaks.
Ref
SEV/CB/ST/220818 HAR220176/D1
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
