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!
COVID-19 - KEEPING YOU SAFE: Thorough disinfecting of all areas now takes place at this property, including a minimum 28-hour guest turn around window.
Please see extra notes for details about additional charges for amenities such as use of the hot tub, BBQ, early-checkin and late checkout.
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, bluetooth/wifi/radio speaker 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, bluetooth/wifi/radio speaker 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, bluetooth/wifi/radio speaker and 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 natural 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.
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. An inflatable paddle boat is 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.
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.
A grass Helipad is available next to the property for use with no landing fee.
I live near to the property and am usually able to assist with any queries you may have in person if required. Just send me a message :)
Located in East Kent, known as the 'garden of England' and only six minutes from Canterbury city centre and ten minutes from the Whitstable coast by car, Tyler Hill is a beautiful and well-connected rural hamlet on the outskirts of Canterbury. It is also only two minutes from the rear entrance of Kent University. Tyler Hill is so named after the medieval tile production in the area and in fact a circa 700 year old tile kiln sits within the grounds of Daweswood.
Just down the road from Daweswood is the multi-award winning The Tyler's Kiln pub & restaurant. The well-stocked bar is dominated by a huge brick built kiln fireplace featuring roaring open fires, and upstairs there is a a private dining room for up to 10 people, as well as a cosy snug for up to 15. The beautiful all-weather heated beer garden includes a walk-way over a well stocked pond which is 'rained' into by an stunning copper tree water sculpture. The Tyler's Kiln has won accolades including Food & Drink Awards Kent Pub of the Year and most recently CAMRA Pub of the Year in 2019.
Daweswood is located along Hackington road, providing easy access to both Whitstable and Canterbury. A bus service runs from near the local pub 'The Tyler's Kiln' and runs to Kent University, Canterbury city centre, Whitstable and Chestfield.
Canterbury is reachable in only 56 minutes from London by high speed train into Canterbury West station. Taxis from the train station to Daweswood cost between £6 and £9.50 dependent on time of day and size of vehicle.
A grass Helipad is available for use next to the property at no charge.
OVERVIEW OF ADDITIONS AND UPGRADES:
Hot tub including towels, plastic glasses, tall drinks tables and water absorbing mats: £48
10 Additional Nespresso compatible capsules: £5
BBQ charcoal, firelighters, lighter and utensils: £18
Private chef - contact for details
IKEA high chair (2 available): £10 each
John Lewis Travel Cot (2 available): £20 each
Professional-grade metal detector: £36
Early checkin if possible 1:30 (cost of extra housekeeper): £40
Late checkout if possible 4pm (cost of extra housekeeper): £40
Inflatable 3 seater paddle boat hire: £30
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 up to max 14 people
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.
*Safety disclaimer must be read and signed by all participants.