'Project' home in posh Kent village with unbeatable countryside view is going up for auction

If you wanted to move to this posh - and gorgeous - village near Tunbridge Wells, but the house prices were out of reach for you, this could be the opportunity you've been dreaming of.

This end-of-terrace looks a bit of a state and needs a lot of work, but it would be hard to beat the stunning view from the back. And for those who want to roll up their sleeves and get stuck into a project, this could be for you.

And it's in the hamlet of Smarts Hill in Penshurst, the latter being one of the most beautiful villages in the area. It looks as though it's been manifested from the pages of a storybook, with its collection of period homes and properties, gorgeous countryside, and a spectacular stately home, Penshurst Place, which is open to the public.

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As you might expect, getting on the housing ladder in this highly-desirable area is pricy, and an upgrade of an existing home could be the way in. If you did move to Smarts Hill, you'd have one of the best pubs in the area on your doorstep.

The Spotted Dog is a 15th century pub, a white weather-boarded gem, converted around 500 years ago from a series of cottages. Ask someone to suggest a lovely country pub, and The Spotted Dog comes up time and time again.

One visitor described it as "bursting with character" with food "fresh and wholesome", and it's dog-friendly.

The average sold price in Penshurst during the past year, according to Rightmove, was £669,451. The majority were detached properties, selling for an average price of £1,032,500. Terraced properties sold for an average of £554,000, with semi-detached properties fetching £325,000.

House prices

And according to Rightmove, the last property to sell in Smarts Hill was in 2023, at a price of £700,750. It was the only one sold that year. And in 2022, again, only one property in Smarts Hill sold, and that fetched £1,206,820.

This home at 2 Chapel Cottages on Smarts Hill is being sold through Clive Emson land and property auctioneers, and bidding starts on February 4. It's one of 176 lots listed for sale. The house has three levels.

It has two bedrooms and has a freehold guide price of £190,000 to £200,000. The particulars say it is in need of "complete refurbishment and repair throughout". It has a dining room with loo on the ground floor. There's a kitchen on the lower ground floor, and two bedrooms on the first floor. There's a garden at the back.

Penshurst falls within the district of Sevenoaks, but is only a matter of miles from Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge.

Penshurst is so beautifully nestled in the Kent countryside, whichever way you arrive, you'll feel the vibes of a gem awaiting. One route will take you over an olde worlde hump-backed bridge set among fields and hedgerows.

Another has the most dramatic views of elegant Penshurst Place, surrounded by its verdant parkland and ancient trees. A third way will take you through twisting country lanes, dappled by sunlight on a nice day.

Once there, you'll see buildings from white weatherboard to striking Tudor, honey-coloured stone to red tiles. You might feel you have stepped into a film set for a period drama, as it feels almost too lovely to be real. Penshurst is in a valley in the Kentish Weald where the River Medway and the River Eden meet.

When is the auction for this property?

The first auction of eight in 2025 by the firm ends on February 6. Bidding goes live from February 4. This property in Penshurst is Lot 115.