With so much focus on the prime London residential market, it’s sometimes easy to forget that developers in the regions are busy creating homes that have a special appeal to those who want to experience life away from the hectic pace of the capital. Top country residences are drawing the attention of overseas buyers drawn to a more leisured and peaceful lifestyle deeply rooted in the English traditions.

Developer Bob Weston, chairman and managing director of Weston Homes, launched his latest project at a sparkling private party, complete with fireworks and theatrical flair. His guests were packed into the impressive great hall of a Grade II refurbished country mansion, Preston Hall, formerly home to the 19th C railroad baron Edward Ladd Betts.

The site of the house has a much longer history dating back to the 12th C. For 400 years, Preston Hall in the South Eastern ‘Garden of England’ county of Kent, was the country home of the Culpeper family whose descendants included Joyce Culpeper, mother of the ill-fated Catherine Howard, fifth wife of Henry VIII.

Henry, indeed, was a notable presence at the launch, mingling with the guests and scattering historical stardust on the proceedings. He was part of a troupe of actors who brought to life the history of the manor house, donning the costume and style of former residents. These included a dashing Betts, in top hat and two-tone shoes, a World War I Red Cross nurse (Preston Hall was gifted to the Red Cross in 1914) and a World War Two solider, representing the years when the Hall was a Royal British Legion hospital.

Between 1945 and 2012 it served as headquarters for the local health authority. Then, with the house in a sorry state of repair and in danger of being lost to posterity, along to the rescue came Bob Weston who has magically transformed the manor into 36 luxury residences.

At the launch, Bob Weston explained that for him this kind of project is a labor of love. He has pored over the original plans and gone to considerable trouble to restore the grounds to their former glory as well as the house.

The centerpiece of the gardens is a Versailles-style stone fountain with four mermaids, dating from the 1830s, which has been meticulously restored to full working order. Around the fountain new lawns, parterre style plant beds, stone urns and gravel pathways have returned the grounds to an elegance not seen since their Edwardian heyday.

His team started work on the refurbishment just last summer; the vision was to bring the Grade II listed building bang up to date in terms of stylish modern day living, while preserving the beautiful period features. Perhaps most striking of these is the grand Oakwood staircase giving access to a galleried landing hung with framed historic prints of the manor house, and the beautiful wood paneled master bedroom which was formerly the library.

Preston Hall provides a stunning first impression with its grand stone facade with large bay windows, coats of arms, turrets and towers complete with orangery and ornate stables.

The stone entrance portico leads into a hallway whose marble diamond patterned flooring and elegant walls and ceiling have been carefully refurbished.

Arched double doors open into a three story-high great hall which is surmounted by a glass roof cupola. To one side of the hall the original grand Oakwood staircase gives access to a galleried landing and the first floor of the manor house. In order to create a stylish contemporary ambience, silver damask wallpaper, a large station clock, Nero framed historic prints of Preson Hall and black leather armchairs and sofas have been used to dress the space.

Weston Homes has worked with luxury house, Voyage Interiors.

Each of the 36 residences has an individual marketing name, unique layout and features. They range up to 2,255 sq.ft in size, some with mezzanine levels open to spectacular double height living areas.

Present at the launch, was James Evers, the great grandson of the railroad magnate, Betts. When he came face to face with the actor playing his famous ancestor it was quite a moving moment; Evers said that above all he was pleased to see the Hall once again being used as a residence.

The price of the residences ranges from £195,000 up to £700,000. These striking apartments with their fascinating layers of history are attracting interest from both local and overseas buyers. The show apartment is open for viewing and the first phase of 16 residencies will be ready for occupation in June.

Bob Weston, Chairman & Managing Director of Weston Homes said: “With its links to King Henry VIII, its grand stone façade and spacious period interiors Preston Hall provided Weston Homes with a rich historic backdrop on which we have layered a luxurious state-of-the-specification and new build elements in order to create the most outstanding contemporary homes to be unveiled in this part of Kent. Preston Hall is without doubt the most prestigious, challenging and unique restoration projects we have undertaken to date.”

—

Email: [email protected]