Detached House for sale with 7 bedrooms, Upnor, Rochester

Set within approximately four acres of secluded, high-walled grounds, this remarkable 17th-century residence, offers the rare opportunity to become custodian of a distinguished piece of English heritage. Originally built to accommodate the senior officer in charge of Upnor Castle, the house has quietly witnessed centuries of history while evolving into an elegant and comfortable family home. Mid-17th-century origins were enlarged and re-fronted in the Georgian style (likely in the early 19th century under the direction of Edward Holl, an architect to the navy board), creating the graceful, symmetrical façade seen today. The principal house retains a wealth of original features, including sash windows, panelled doors, fireplaces, working shutters and the original maids bell system, which remains fully operational in all main rooms, a rare and evocative detail that connects past and present. There is a particular stillness to the approach. A sense, even before the gates open, that this is somewhere altogether different. Beyond them lies complete privacy and security within historic walled grounds, where centuries of English history are woven quietly into the fabric of everyday life. This is not simply a home you move into. It is one you step into, with all the weight, beauty and permanence that brings. Grand reception rooms enjoy fine proportions and impressive ceiling heights. Four fully serviced operational stove fireplaces provide both warmth and character. At the centre of daily life sits the kitchen and breakfast room, practical, well equipped and perfectly positioned. Supporting spaces including a laundry/utility room and cloakroom ensure the house functions as effortlessly as any modern home. Upstairs, two magnificent principal suites enjoy elevated panoramic views across the gardens towards the River Medway, each with its own dressing room and en-suite bathroom. Four further bedrooms and a family bathroom occupy the upper floor, offering generous accommodation for family and guests. The central heating system allows each room to be controlled individually for maximum efficiency, while a lighting system (in selected rooms) offers timers and sensors. Underfloor heating is installed in every bathroom, and full fibre WiFi is provided throughout. Windows and doors have been completely refurbished with upgraded draft proofing, and the property benefits from a gold standard ADT alarm system with police response. A preserved WWII bomb shelter adds to the sense of layered history and further development potential. In total the property provides over 7000 sq. ft of accommodation, delivering exceptional flexibility. Where History Has Left Its Mark    Positioned beside Upnor Castle and overlooking the River Medway, the house was originally built in the 17th century to accommodate the senior naval officer charged with defending this stretch of coastline. From the outset, it was a home of purpose and importance. Folklore records that Queen Elizabeth I visited both the castle and the house. Its story unfolds alongside that of the nation itself. During the English Civil War, the surrounding castle and buildings changed hands between Royalist and Parliamentary forces. In 1667, Upnor Castle famously saw action against the Dutch who, having captured Sheerness, sailed up the Medway and captured several English warships at anchor at Chatham perceived as the worst naval defeat ever suffered by England. Thereafter the castle took on the role of a major supply depot. Centuries later, during the Second World War, two German bombs fell within the grounds in June 1941. The house endured, remarkably intact. Today, faint traces of shrapnel remain in the door frame and shutters of a guest bedroom small and almost imperceptible reminders of a past few homes can claim. A preserved WWII bomb shelter remains within the grounds. During restoration, a small silk and leather shoe was discovered concealed within the structure, dating from the late 17th century (circa 16601680). Once believed to ward off evil spirits, it remains a poignant symbol of the lives and beliefs that have passed through these rooms. After the war the castle was decommissioned, and Upnor Castle House was handed over to the Royal Engineers. In the mid-1980s the Ministry of Defence offered the house for sale; The adjacent Upnor Castle is now managed by English Heritage. Upnor Castle    Is an Elizabethan artillery fort on the west bank of the River Medway in Upper Upnor, Kent, built to protect the Royal Navys ships and the developing Chatham Dockyard. Commissioned in 1559 by Elizabeth I and her Privy Council amid tensions with Spain and other powers, the fort was designed by military engineer Sir Richard Lee (though largely supervised by his deputy). It was built on about 6 acres of land acquired for £25 opposite St Marys Creek. The main structure was completed around 15641567. It features a two-storey main block (keep), a triangular water bastion proj