Endless Reign of Georgian

Also on the market at £1.65m through Strutt & Parker, the recently renovated Hollingbourne House, listed Grade II, stands high on a crest of the North Downs, to the north of the Pilgrims? Way, and two miles from the village of Hollingbourne. Built by the 18th century architect Charles Beazley for the Duppa family in 1799, Holling-bourne House is classically Georgian in style and layout, with four reception rooms, master and guest suites, three further bedrooms, a family bathroom, a playroom and vast cellars. It stands in eight acres of wooded, park like gardens and has two walled gardens one of which houses a rare donkey drawn well wheel, the other a listed gazebo.

Other vendors in high speed mode include the owners of historic Slip Mill in the delightful village of Hawkhurst, who have already exchanged on a larger property in the area, and are now selling the 18th century Georgian mill through the Cranbrook offices of Calcutt Maclean Standen (01580 713250) and Savills (01580 720161). A guide price of £1.75m is quoted for the beautifully renovated, timberframed mill house, which has the considerable advantage

of being within the Cranbrook school catchment area.

In the 18th century, Slip Mill was one of three watermills set on the narrow stream which runs through Slip Mill Lane. But its origins date back to Saxon times, and in the 1600s, the mill was used by the infamous Hawkhurst Gang of smugglers to hide themselves and their spoils from the excise men. In the early 1900s, the mill was sold a number of times until, in about 1914, it ceased working when it was sabotaged by a disgruntled former workman.

The present light and airy main house stands in 10 acres of well protected gardens, woodland and meadow, and has four reception rooms, seven bedrooms and three bathrooms. The property includes the separate four bedroom granary cottage, a former coach house now used as garaging and a barn with planning permission for conversion to a pool house for the heated outdoor swimming pool.

This article first appeared in Country Life magazine on September 29, 2005. To subscribe click here.