Magnificent, stately, elegant... There are probably not enough superlatives in the book to describe this majestic pile at Sheldwich Lees, near Faversham. Debbie Eales takes a look at the gorgeous first floor apartment on offer for £495,000 at The Mansion

These days, you don’t need to be a lord or a lady for a taste of how the other half lives. Nor do you need to be a lottery winner.

Properties such as the magnificent mansion at Lees Court, Sheldwich Lees, are being saved for posterity thanks to sympathetic conversions that are providing buyers with gorgeous apartments in stately surroundings.

The Mansion is thought to have been built in about 1650 and although it was ravaged by fire in about 1910 it was restored in 1912. The dairy, estate and carriage houses date from 1790.

In 1980, a development company sympathetically converted the property into 28 homes ranging from large apartments in the mansion, to cottages within the estate houses, stables and carriage houses.

No.11 The Mansion is being offered for sale by Cluttons who describe it as a “spacious and most elegant” first floor apartment in an outstanding setting among 15 acres of formal communal gardens and parkland.

This splendid country house even has leisure facilities on tap, making for an enviable lifestyle in secure surroundings. The Mansion’s grand entrance opens to the communal stately reception hall with black and white chequered flooring, columns, a tall ceiling and a cased original clock mechanism restored from the clock tower.

A grand staircase with beautiful carved oak bannister divides on the half landing, returning each side to the main landing with its detailed cornicing, dado, wall framing, columns and splendid marble surround fireplace.

A six-panelled door opens to the elegant apartment which has splendid tall ceilings and lovely detailing to cornices. The reception hall has a study area with a fitted desk, book and display shelves and radiator cabinet. The principal reception is of majestic proportions with stylish wall framing, dado and a lovely colourful marble fireplace surround with delicate moulded outer surround.

Tall sash windows stretch across the north east side with one to the west each having a radiator beneath. There is an excellent custom built desk unit with bookshelves to the left of the fireplace with two retractable desk tops.

The elegant décor is complemented by two chandeliers beneath ceiling roses and spotlights highlight the wall framing features.

An inner hall leads to the charming kitchen/breakfast room approached down gentle steps with oak banisters and has sash windows to the north east. There is a good range of oak-fronted fitted units incorporating a double electric oven, dishwasher and ceramic hob. The master bedroom is beautifully fitted with split level ceiling having partial room division framed by fluted columns. A large walk-in wardrobe comprises lobby area with two tall shelved cupboards and hanging space each with cupboard above.

The main bathroom has an attractive modern pale ash suite with two hand basins in vanity units, WC and bath with shower fitment and folding screens. The second bedroom has sliding mirror door wardrobes with cupboards above, attractive view to the north east and large radiator cabinet.

A small gallery above is approached by retractable steps with folding door to small storage room which in turn gives access to a very large loft storage area.

In addition, there is shared storage in the wine cellar.

This second bedroom has an en suite shower room with WC and pedestal washbasin with cabinet above. Off the hall is a large walk-in linen/airing cupboard with excellent range of fitted shelves, gas boiler and airing cupboard with lagged hot water cylinder, pump and further shelving.

The communal gardens and grounds include beautiful formal gardens and parkland, a tennis court and a heated swimming pool. The garage block, to the north of The Mansion, is approached between the estate houses and the carriage houses. There is a single garage with up-and-over door in this block.

The magnificent gardens, setting, elegant accommodation and leisure facilities combine to provide an enviable lifestyle in secure surroundings.

Situated four miles south of Faversham, Sheldwich Lees has local facilities including a primary school, cricket ground, village hall and a church. The surrounding countryside is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

There is easy access to the M2 just three miles away and the main line station at Faversham connects to London in about 66 minutes. Eurostar services from Ashford are about 11 miles distant and the high speed rail service to London St Pancras is scheduled to commence from Ashford in December 2009.

Canterbury is also about 11 miles away with its cultural interests, excellent shopping centre and good educational establishments.

The delightful Faversham golf club at Belmont Park is only three miles away.

Factfile

11 The Mansion

Lees Court

Sheldwich Lees

Faversham ME13 0NQ

Guide price: £495,000

Tenure: 999 year lease (from April 1, 1993)

Accommodation: reception hall, drawing room/dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, master bedroom, bathroom, bedroom 2 with en suite shower room, LPG fired central heating, garage, communal gardens and grounds including a heated swimming pool and tennis court

Agent: Cluttons 29-30 Watling Street, Canterbury Tel: 01227 457441