Just 6 minutes from Canterbury city centre and 10 minutes from Whitstable seafront, Daweswood cottage is a flagship country retreat designed with you in mind.
Does drifting to sleep whilst reading a book in the garden room hammock sound like perfection? How about Prosecco in the hot tub, or playing board games late into the early hours next to a wood burning fire in the cosy snug?
Go fishing on the huge lake, feed the mandarin ducks on the pond, or even try metal detecting!
The space
Please see extra notes at bottom for details about additional charges for amenities such as use of the HOT TUB (£68), BBQ (£18), paddle boats, metal detector, beach package, and paddle boards/kayaks.
Nestled in beautifully mature grounds that are steeped in medieval and World War II history, Daweswood perfectly marries traditional country cottage charm with the luxury of ultra modern living.
The gardens are adorned with bluebells during the Spring, and are dotted with blossoming English fruit trees and even a magnificent tulip tree that provides dappled shade to the duck pond below. Mallards, moorhens, mandarin ducks, and even kingfishers call the tranquility of the pond their home, whilst rabbits, squirrels, woodpeckers and pheasants forage for food next to the hand-pumped well across a footbridge from the site of a medieval tile kiln. Whilst the house and outbuildings were garrisoned by soldiers during World War II, some of the famous stained glass windows from Canterbury Cathedral were once buried beneath the front gardens for protection from German bombing raids. Note that the front and rear gardens are not fenced so children and pets must be supervised at all times as there is a pond and a road that can be accessed. Allow dogs off their lead at your own risk!
The property has been extensively refurbished to cater for the needs of holiday-makers whether they be families or groups of friends, and provides a range of large entertaining spaces including:
- A sun-drenched garden room overlooking the pond with a comfortable hammock, dining table, seating area, electric roof windows, ceiling fans and bluetooth/wifi/radio speaker.
- A cosy snug with a log burning fire, corner swing seat, window seat, large selection of board games, television, and a large sofa capable of sleeping one person.
- A huge sun terrace with a dining table and chairs, brick-built charcoal BBQ and 8-seater hot tub with in-built bluetooth speaker system. Hot tub and BBQ charge applies, see extra notes below.
- A living room with comfortable seating, large television with blu-ray player, and a writing desk in the bay window.
- Country kitchen with large farmhouse dining table & chairs, fully equipped for cooking a family feast or hosting evening drinks. Contains a range cooker, hob, microwave, fridge, freezer, butler sink, dishwasher and Nespresso coffee machine. Large load washing machine and tumble dryer in utility cupboard as well as iron and board.
- Secondary kitchen also fully equipped and features a breakfast bar, television area, oven, hob, microwave, washer/dryer, iron & board, fridge/freezer and a single sofa-bed seating.
Upstairs there are three large bedrooms, each featuring sitting areas and modern en-suites containing high powered showers. Downstairs there is a further king bedroom, a twin bedroom and two large bathrooms. All bathrooms and en-suites enjoy heated floors, heated towel radiators, large surface space for your toiletries around sink, illuminated & anti-steam heated mirrors, luxurious ESPA toiletries and plenty of towels. All bedrooms include hairdryers with diffusers, televisions, blackout blinds/curtains, plenty of coat-hangers, cooling fans, choice of pillows for front sleepers & side/back sleepers, wireless and USB device chargers, door locks, large mirrors with plug sockets nearby, spare blankets, smart televisions supporting Netflix, Amazon & NowTV, and all windows, internal walls and ceilings are acoustically insulated for a perfect night sleep!
If there are more than 10 guests then please bring sleeping bags for the single sofa bed and L shape sofa as no linens are provided for these. Blankets and cushions are available.
The property benefits from a dedicated high-speed fibre optic Internet line with WiFi throughout including the rear garden, cosy underfloor heating, commercial-grade fire detection, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers & blankets, first aid kits and a state of the art security system including external CCTV for your peace of mind. All 8 televisions support digital channels as well as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and NowTV although you must log in with your own account.
New: Guests enjoy exclusive access to our premium area guide, highlighting over 100 top attractions, eateries, and breathtaking scenic walks. Discover hidden gems both nearby and further afield, with travel times from Tyler Hill and parking tips!
Further benefits of the property include exclusive access to a large fishing lake sitting at the bottom of a 46 acre valley accessible opposite the driveway of the property. A local tackle shop is only 5 minutes away by car in Blean. Inflatable paddle boats, paddle boards and kayaks are available on the lake. Details of rental charges can be found below in extra notes. It takes approximately 10 minutes to walk across the land to the lake. Kindly note that in order to avoid frustration and disappointment, it is not advised to try fishing if you haven't done it before without the experience of someone who has!
A professional-grade metal detector is available for hire. Kindly note that this equipment is not a 'toy' and is capable of producing very accurate results! You have access to almost 50 acres of land which has been occupied during medieval times and the second world war, of which only a small % has been scanned. All finds must be reported to me and in the vast majority of cases you will be allowed to keep them.
All upgrades and additions with associated costs can be found below in the extra notes. All extras should be booked at least one day prior to arrival as same day bookings are not always possible.
Guest access
You will have access to the entire property and gardens, summer house, brick BBQ, and sun terrace. Furthermore you will have access to a 46 acre plot of land featuring a large fishing lake. The lake takes approximately 10 minutes to reach on foot and the land can be uneven in places making it only accessible for able-bodied persons. Strollers and buggies would be difficult to push along the grass. Take extreme caution when crossing the road to access the lake.
There is adequate parking on the driveway for 6 vehicles.
The private lake may be affected by seasonal weather (ice, water level, weed growth), restricting activities so you may wish to check in advance on its condition.
Other things to note
OVERVIEW OF ADDITIONS AND UPGRADES:
Hot tub including towels, plastic glasses, tall drinks tables and water absorbing mats: £68
10 Additional Nespresso compatible capsules: £5
BBQ charcoal, firelighters, lighter and utensils: £18
Private chef - contact for details
Beach package including 2 strong wind breakers, 4 large picnic blankets and 2 foldable beach chairs: £50
IKEA high chair (2 available): £10 each
John Lewis Travel Cot: £20
Professional-grade metal detector: £36
Inflatable 3 seater paddle boat hire: £30 (or 2 for £50)
2 x One size fits all 12 Years to Adult XL life jackets: £10 for both
2 x Inflatable paddle boards and paddles (stable design for beginners): £48 for both
2 x Kayak seats and kayak paddles for paddle boards: £20 for both
1 Hour 5-seater helicopter tour of Whitstable WWII sea forts & wind farm, White Cliffs of Dover & Dover Castle, and Canterbury Cathedral. Pickup and return to field: £820
Extra guests: £18 per person per night after max 12 on booking, up to max 14 people
All extras should be booked at least one day prior to arrival as same day bookings are not always possible.
WHY ARE SOME ITEMS CHARGEABLE?
In order for the accommodation pricing to be kept as low as possible, certain items and activities which some guests may not use are not included. In most cases, additional charges cover the cost of maintenance and regular replacement of the hired items.
Please don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions or would like to customise your stay further.
*Participation in all activities is at your own risk.
ONLY STRONG SWIMMERS PERMITTED ON LAKE
The hot tub and BBQ are not included in your stay. Extra charges apply.
