5 bedroom semi-detached house for sale

An exceptional Grade II* Listed Tudor residence, offering beautifully proportioned and versatile accommodation, extensive walled gardens, garaging and parking, all within a short distance of the town centre. This extraordinary five bedroom property occupies a place in the story of Tudor England that very few homes can rival. Built in 1564 as part of Sir Roger Manwood's remarkable educational endowment to the town of Sandwich, the property stands as one of the most historically significant and architecturally distinguished private residences in the whole of the ancient Cinque Ports. Manwood Court takes its name and its very existence from one of the most distinguished figures of Elizabethan England. Sir Roger Manwood, born in Sandwich itself. A man of formidable influence, deep learning, and genuine civic generosity, he chose to give his home town an enduring gift; a free grammar school, to bring education within reach of any family in Sandwich, regardless of means. In 1563, at the very height of the Elizabethan Renaissance, this building rose on Strand Street as the original home of that school. Queen Elizabeth I is recorded as having visited Manwood Court during her celebrated royal progress through Kent in 1573, one of the most distinguished associations any English property can claim. Manwood Court is a substantial five bedroom freehold semi-detached house, among the largest and most highly valued in the entire CT13 postcode. Its scale reflects the ambition of its original patron, this was built to be a building of consequence, and it remains so today. The current accommodation is both spacious and highly versatile, lending itself equally well to family occupation or multi-generational living with the potential for a self-contained annexe. Arranged over generous proportions, the accommodation comprises five bedrooms, three bathrooms, three reception rooms, a large conservatory, an open-plan kitchen and dining area, utility room, boiler room and a ground floor cloakroom. The property is approached through attractive walled gardens, with double wrought iron gates opening onto a paved forecourt with planted borders. A charming Gothic archway leads to a secluded side courtyard and secondary entrance, ideal for independent access to the annexe accommodation if required. One of Manwood Court’s most impressive features is its extensive and beautifully established walled rear garden. A full width terrace spans the rear of the house, creating an ideal setting for entertaining and outdoor dining. Beyond lies a large lawn enclosed by mature walls, with three openings leading to a further garden area, including a particularly striking circular flint archway. The second garden is a true gardener’s haven, thoughtfully landscaped with sweeping lawns, sculptured flower beds, ornamental shrubs, and specimen trees. You will also find an attractive water garden incorporating a pond, rockery and further established planting, creating a wonderfully tranquil setting. Additional outbuildings include a cedar summerhouse, timber garden shed and a greenhouse. A substantial garage block provides both double and single garages, together with ample off-road parking to the front. Sandwich is among the best preserved medieval towns in England, whose streets, churches, gates, and buildings tell a continuous story spanning more than a millennium. As one of the original Cinque Ports, Sandwich wielded extraordinary power and wealth in medieval England, and its townscape remains, to a remarkable degree, unchanged from the Tudor era in which Manwood Court was built. Strand Street is said to contain the longest stretch of original timber framed buildings anywhere in England, an almost unbroken sequence of medieval and Tudor structures that together form a streetscape of incomparable atmosphere and architectural integrity. Manwood Court occupies a central position within this irreplaceable ensemble. Enjoying convenient access to the town's excellent range of amenities, independent shops, cafes, restaurants, weekly markets and schools. The town benefits from high speed rail services to London, making it increasingly attractive for commuters and second home owners alike. The nearby Sandwich Bay offers miles of unspoilt coastline together with three renowned championship golf courses, including world famous Royal St George's Golf Club. Viewing strictly by appointment.