Great Budds Oast: A Cozy Holiday Home in the Kent Countryside
Nestled in the heart of Kent’s countryside, Great Budds Oast is a testament to the vision and dedication of Sallie, a first-time entrepreneur at 59 years old. After her children had moved out, Sallie embarked on a new chapter. Transforming an 18th-century, 14-acre country estate into a premium countryside escape and a haven for once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Great Budds Oast is an 18th Century Grade 2 listed property that stands on Sallie’s family estate. Originally an ‘oast’ (Old English for kiln), it carries a rich history and now serves as a luxurious five-bedroom holiday let. Sleeping up to ten guests, it is a family-friendly retreat just outside London that also welcomes dogs to the house.
The property’s enchanting visage is accented by red bricks and crawling vines, offering a glimpse into the tranquility of the Garden of England. Sallie was inspired by historic Oast houses in Kent, and the interiors pair color with history, which turns the home into a welcoming and warm space.
Sallie wanted to turn the Oast House into a holiday home so other people from around the world could experience the beauty of the Kent Countryside. The result is personal, warm, and inviting.
The open plan living, kitchen, dinning room is Sallie’s favorite room, the colors and character captured by the antique paintings and wallpaper really bring it to life.
Many items in the house are sourced from local makers. The dining table, surrounded by ten Cox & Cox wicker chairs, was made at a local forge and the curtains are handmade by a local craftswoman.
The modern kitchen features sage cabinets and a Quartz worktop. The kitchen island with stools adds a social aspect to the kitchen space.
Antiques sourced by Sallie blend seamlessly with upcycled dressing tables and hand-painted baths. Each bed is graced with a headboard crafted by Sallie herself, adding a personal touch to every room.
Some bedrooms really show the history of the old house, the pitched ceilings with exposed wooden beams add so much character to the rooms.
The ground floor bedroom is a colorful affair with a floral headboard and pink and green color accent. Double doors give access to the green garden.
The master bedroom can be found in the round room on the first floor. Every room is decorated with color and in this room, the freestanding roll-top bath has been painted a deep green. Vibrant color accents are added in the ochre quilt and pink curtains.
The bathroom perfectly mixes old architecture with modern design. The exposed wooden beams and pitched ceiling show you the history, this is then paired with emerald green color accents and industrial elements.
The first floor is also home to a large games room with a pool table, retro-style football table, and another wall-mounted TV.
Surrounding the house lies a wonderful garden with a swimming pool (heated between the months of May and September), a lounge area, a dining table with ten chairs, and plenty of room for games. The estate features a giant chessboard, tennis court, croquet lawn, and table tennis.
The Oast is only a 10-minute drive from both Tonbridge & Sevenoaks whilst also only being a 34-minute train ride away from London. The property is also located close to several castles and historic houses in Kent.
You can book your stay at The Oast at Great Budds House on the website.
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