On arriving in the village of Hernhill two decades ago, Gordon Kilpatrick looked in amazement at a gothic mansion, complete with tennis courts and a pool.
“I’d love to live in that house,” he remarked to his wife.
But to his disappointment, this was not the property she had purchased. It would be 15 years before his family came to call Mountfield House home.
With eight bedrooms, seven reception rooms and covering more than 7,000 sq ft, the Grade II-listed estate near Faversham has provided plenty of room for Mr Kilpatrick, his wife and their two children.
But the 59-year-old – who owns a financial consultancy company – says it is time Mountfield House welcomed new custodians.
“The house has what I would call a lifecycle – nurturing a family, giving them a fantastic life and then, once the children have gone off to university, being released so that the next family enjoy it,” he told KentOnline.
What’s it been like to live in this stunning mansion? In a word, Mr Kilpatrick says: “Privileged”.
“The biggest benefit of the house is it’s such an incredible entertaining space,” he said.
“The size has afforded us the luxury of entertaining large groups of friends for meals and drinks.
“Access to the pool and tennis court is the highlight of the summer. When the weather’s nice, it’s like we’re in our own private part of the south of France.”
A stone engraving of “1854” bears testament to the property’s age, while markings of a different kind showcase its historical significance.
“During the First and Second World Wars, the house was used as a refuge for children from Northern France and Belgium,” Mr Kilpatrick said.
“Outside, you can see the children’s initials and the years that they were here chiselled into the sandstone.”
Other quirks of the property include a servants’ corridor and stairwell exclusively connecting the upstairs bedrooms to the ground floor via the kitchen.
Another is a glinting border of green glass tracing a line of box hedges at the house’s front.
Mr Kilpatrick explained: “In the 1970s, the previous owner buried Gordon’s gin bottles all around the hedgerows instead of putting in a retaining wall.
“It’s always been known as a very sociable party house.
“Once every two years, I open the gates and invite the village to have a summer party. Last August, we had local bands play, the pool and garden were open and 150-200 people came.”
The master bedroom, complete with a feature fireplace, dressing room and en-suite bathroom, can be found on the first floor.
This level also boasts three further bedrooms, including two with fireplaces, a family bathroom and a cloakroom.
The floor above holds four more bedrooms and two bathrooms, plus a dressing room which can be used as an additional bedroom.
Other areas of the 17th century structure include a drawing room and a family room, a study, a gym, a dining room, a utility room and an orangery.
“Each owner of the house has added to it in some way,” explained Mr Kilpatrick.
“Our contribution was putting a barbecue area and outside bar with a working beer pump.
“This house really does give you the sense that you’re stepping back into Victorian times – with the gothic statues all around the door, the stone ornaments and gremlins.
“It’s nothing like anything you would see built today, so you feel like you’re living in a piece of history.”
As one would expect, all of this does not come cheap.
The property, being marketed by Strutt & Parker, has a guide price of £3,200,000.
“Ideally we would be looking for a young family,” added Mr Kilpatrick.
“But alternatively, it would probably be the best retirement home in the world.”
