We moved here 22 years ago because we fell in love with the cottage and the surroundings. It is quiet and peaceful but not far from Horsmonden and Brenchley. We also had horses and enjoyed being able to ride around the countryside and our daughter loved being able to sit up in bed and see her pony poking his head out of the stable. However we are now having a complete change of lifestyle and hope new owners will revel in this characterful home. Although the address is ‘Brenchley’ we are actually closer to Horsmonden village which is surrounded by orchards and farmland and bordered by the River Teise and includes lovely artificial lakes for fishing and bird watching. There is a large village green and excellent local shops that include a convenience store, a post office, pharmacy and hairdresser. There is also a doctor’s surgery, a mobile library and a good primary school and kindergarten as well as a village hall that offers a variety of activities to suit all age groups together with a sports ground, cricket and tennis club. While the Gun and Spitroast is renowned for its famous Spitroast meals and families are especially welcome. Brenchley includes an historic high street made up of half timbered, tile hung white weatherboarding houses with some dating back to the 1200s including the Old Palace that now houses the local post office and stationers. It is also famous for being the childhood home of the Duchess of Edinburgh. There is a good primary school, the award-winning Grays café and ‘cakery,’ and the characterful Little Bull that does amazing breakfasts and brunches, while the Halfway House is a quintessential village pub that has won the CAMRA Best West Kent Pub for more than 20 years and offers excellent ales and hearty pub food. An avenue of 400 year old yew trees provide an impressive entrance to the Grade 1 Listed church and you can stroll around the delightful village green or enjoy Brenchley Woods, which are ideal for walks with the dog, cycling or horse riding. Nearby Matfield is a friendly place with another village green, two pubs including The Poet, a butcher’s shop and the village hall with a post office and regular activities. Buses provide access to a number of towns and villages including Cranbrook, Tunbridge Well and Tonbridge while Paddock Wood includes the nearest station where trains can whisk you to London Bridge in 44 minutes. There is also a department store, a Waitrose supermarket, individual shops, bars and restaurants as well as two good primary schools and a good secondary school, while Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells offer excellent grammar and private schools as well as shops, retail parks, entertainment and eateries.*

• These comments are the personal views of the current owner and are included as an insight into life at the property.