horseshoe farm, capel road

Horseshoe FarmCapel Road | Ruckinge | Ashford | Kent | TN26 2EJ

Horseshoe Farm.indd 1 10/09/2015 10:36

Horseshoe FarmThis picture perfect home occupies a stunning location on the fringes of the village of Ruckinge. “We moved to Horseshoe Farm from London just over five years ago,” says Michael, “and it was the absolute antithesis of everything that we wanted to get away from. It offered us space, peace and quiet, but at the same time it had great communications; we can be in London in under an hour, door to door.”

“The house was reasonably well presented when we bought it,” continues Michael, “but not at all to our taste, so during our time here we’ve made a number of changes internally. One of the main problems that we identified was the lack of storage, so we’ve built on a lovely utility room next to the kitchen and we’ve also extended two of the bedrooms. As we love to en-tertain we have also re-arranged the layout so that it not only suits us but also visiting guests. We have a fabulous annex that connects to the house internally, but it can also be accessed from outside and therefore could be completely self-contained. And then there’s The Lodge, which is to the east of the main house. It’s attached to the double garage and has a kitchen/breakfast room, a separate sitting room, a bedroom and a bathroom. It means we can have friends or relatives to stay for perhaps a few weeks, but we never have to feel on top of one another.”

This beautiful home is enveloped by around four acres of stunning grounds that incorporate rolling lawns, woodland, a large paddock and various out-buildings, including a lovely summerhouse with a pretty decked seating area. “We have around 2.5 acres of garden that are mainly laid to lawn and dotted with mature oak and willow trees,” says Michael, “beyond which an area that mainly comprises flower beds leads into the woods. The garden and woodland are an absolute haven for wildlife; it’s amazing to watch what comes and goes. We have mallards, moorhens, rabbits, voles, the list goes on, and the garden and the woodland are awash with flowers in the spring. It’s absolutely beautiful. One species that I was particularly excited to find was British native orchids. It’s a real delight to know that they are there.”

“This really has been a wonderful home for the past five years,” concludes Michael, “but the time has come to downsize a little. It has been a home that has suited us extremely well in terms of space, layout and location. We’ve actually been looking for an alternative, but nothing so far has even compared. It’s a home that has given us a superb quality of life.”*

* 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.


Horseshoe Farm offers great flexibility for occupation by a single or extended family, or the possibility of extra income from the cottage and lodge. The property makes for a wonderful living and entertaining space with the large summer house and decked area in the gardens.

The house is of timber and brick construction with white weatherboard elevations under a slate roof. It is approached over a gravel carriage drive from Capel Road, through double five bar gates which lead to the garage and parking for several cars. The stables/outbuilding and woodland can be accessed via a separate track adjoining the house. An attractive timber porch with leaded windows and brick steps leads to a part-glazed front door which opens into the entrance hall of the main house. From here stairs rise to the first floor and to the right is the study overlooking the front of the property.

The kitchen/breakfast room is set to the rear and is beautifully fitted with light wooden floor and wall units. There is an oak floor, deep butler sink, a range cooker with extractor over and

integrated fridge, dishwasher and washing machine. There is a large island unit. From the breakfast area a door leads to an ample utility room, double glazed doors lead into a sitting room to the front of the property with a wood burning stove and oak flooring and a dining room to the rear.

To the other end of the kitchen/breakfast room is the library and a sitting room with open fireplace and a door opening to the front of the house. A further door leads to a bedroom and bathroom, both set to the back of the property and with views over the garden. Also off the Library is a cloakroom and sauna finished in natural pine. Stairs from the hall rise to the first floor landing and to the ensuite master bedroom which is double aspect with windows to the front and a door to the decked balcony which enjoys views across the gardens, pond and paddocks towards the woodland beyond.

There is a family bathroom and at the other end of the house is a large double bedroom situated adjacent to a shower room. Two further bedrooms complete the accommodation in this

part of the property. The annexe can be accessed through the dining room or separately through its own front door to the side. The annexe kitchen/breakfast room, again with wooden wall and floor cupboards and oak floor, leads through glazed double doors into the drawing room which is double aspect. A door leads through to an entrance hall, conservatory and groundfloor bedroom.

On the first floor the master bedroom has an en suite bathroom and there is a further large double bedroom and shower room. Horseshoe Lodge: a part glazed front door opens into the kitchen/dining room with a range of wall and floor units and gas fired hob with electric oven, integrated fridge and freezer and space for a washing machine. Windows overlook the courtyard to the rear and stairs rise to the first floor sitting room, bedroom and bathroom. The double garage is accessed via two up and over doors, and the walls and ceiling have been finished in plaster.


GARDENS AND GROUNDS To the front of the property the gardens are mainly lawn with mature trees and shrubs including oak and laurel with a wisteria to one corner of the house. Passing through the five bar gates to the grounds at the rear there is a log store to each side of the Lodge and the main gardens are laid out around a spectacular central summerhouse with large decked area and hot tub. There is a large vegetable patch with polytunnel and tool shed and machinery store, and a large natural pond bordered by mature trees, pampas and established water plants.

The gardens themselves are laid to lawn and interspersed with large mature trees such as oak and willow with several smaller fruit trees as well. There are further outbuildings. Directly

beyond are the paddocks and woodland, bounded by post and rail fencing. The whole property is in a delightful woodland setting and well secluded from any neighbours

SITUATION Horseshoe Farm is situated outside the village of Ruckinge, and local facilities can be found at Hamstreet (2 ½ miles) which has a primary school, local shops and a branch line station. More extensive shopping, leisure and educational facilities can be found at Ashford (6 miles) and the surrounding countryside offers woodland walks, forestry commission land and bridleways.High Speed Link services to London St Pancras from Ashford International take around 38 minutes.

The Channel Port of Dover 24 miles) and the Eurotunnel at Folkestone (16 miles) offer services to the continent, as does the International Station at Ashford (6 miles). SERVICES Mains electricity/solar panels, mains water, oil fired central heating and private drainage.

LOCAL AUTHORITY Ashford Borough Council Council Tax Band F.


Agents notes: All measurements are approximate and quoted in metric with imperial equivalents 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 valuation, contact the numbers listed on the brochure. Printed 10.09.2015

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Fine & Country Tenterden 37 High Street, Tenterden, Kent TN30 6BJ

Tel 01580 766 388


horseshoe farm, capel road

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