On the market for the first time in many years is this former medieval cloth hall, now a large family home.

The house, which was built in 1420, stands in eight acres, where there is potential to bring an outdoor swimming pool up to scratch.

There is also a handy detached annexe.

Smarden was renowned as a weaving community in medieval times. As a cloth hall, the building would once have contained trading stalls, particularly for the sale of cloth and fine silks but also leather, salt, and more exotic imports such as spices.

Take a look round and you can spot a projecting hoist for lifting bales of cloth, still attached to the gable end of the house.

Today, the house is a lot more peaceful. Rooms are spread over three floors and there are six bedrooms.

A 21ft first floor lounge has vaulted ceilings, exposed beams and an enormous medieval
stone fireplace.

On the ground floor is the kitchen, which has a large pantry and a door to the garden. Also on this floor is a dining room and two further reception rooms, all with fireplaces.

The eight acres are divided between gardens and a four-acre field.

A detached one-bedroom annexe has a good sized lounge and a bathroom as well as space to install a kitchen if required.

The property also has a large detached barn, stable block and triple car port.

The Cloth Hall, Water Lane, Smarden, near Headcorn

Price: £1.5 million

Agent: Andrew & Co

For information, ring the agent on 01233 714886