Only a very few listed properties are Grade II* rated and that little star makes all the difference. Homes & Living has found a more than special interest’ on the market in Kent.

Great Paddocks Farm, high on the North Downs at Challock, is a manor house dating from the 17th century.

Given listed building status in 1957, it is a rare Grade II* property, which means it is classified by English Heritage as a “particularly important building of more than special interest”.

English Heritage records that the red brick house is early 17th century with alterations in the 19th and 20th century, noting wooden mullioned windows and an interesting gabled roof. Look upwards to see the chimney on the left is two lovely “coupled” chimneys, while on the right, you can see four quirky octagonal chimneys.

Add to this an original staircase and timbered partitions between rooms and you find an impressive house which has served its residents well during five centuries.

Now on the market with Humberts at £950,000, Great Paddocks Farm has eight bedrooms. It comes with a detached cottage together with grounds of just over 5.5 acres, with paddocks and swimming pool.

The accommodation in the main house is built over three floors and beneath a trap door there are also extensive cellars below. A double aspect drawing room has a large stone fireplace and the dining hall has polished oak floorboards and a fireplace with a bressummer beam.

The kitchen/breakfast room has handmade oak units and an island unit. There is also a broad inglenook fireplace fitted with four-oven Aga, together with a central matching oak island unit. There is a pantry and a utility room.

The cottage is an attractive single storey brick and flint building with a slate roof, set in its own small garden with parking. It has a sitting room/kitchen, two double bedrooms and a bathroom. The cottage has permission to be run as a holiday cottage if required.

The back garden is lawned with a heated swimming pool and adjoining fields.

To the side of the principal entrance drive, there is also a fence enclosed paddock and the grounds in all amount to just over 5.5 acres.

Outbuildings include two good-sized barns and two stables.

The property is set back off the A252, between the villages of Challock and Charing. Challock has a primary school and pub, while Charing has a train station choice of shops and convenience store, as well as a post office and library.

Address: Great Paddocks Farm, Challock

Price: £950,000

Agent: Humberts

For information ring the agent on 01227 452780.