The Coach House

Set within the grounds of the Stede Court Estate, The Coach House sits quietly in the rolling countryside of the Kent North Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Surrounded by open fields and woodland, this countryside holiday home offers a private, well-equipped base for groups looking to spend unhurried time together in a rural setting.

The house combines period character with practical comfort: dark wood detailing, open fires and antique pieces sit alongside modern touches that make group stays straightforward and familiar. Six bedrooms and three bathrooms comfortably accommodate up to twelve guests, while the dining room provides space for everyone to gather for mealtimes.

Two separate lounges allow the group to divide naturally depending on the mood. The conservatory lounge includes a 55-inch television with Sky and streaming services (Netflix and Amazon Prime), along with a full-size pool table. A second, more intimate sitting room centres around an open log fire (logs provided), with a television, Playstation 4, DVDs, books and classic board games – all useful options whatever the weather.

When the sun shines, the enclosed walled garden complete with treehouse, hides, and games create a sheltered and secure space for children and dogs to play. With plenty of space on the patio for outdoor dining, the garden lends itself well to al fresco meals in the sun; gas and charcoal barbecues are also available, along with fire pit logs supplied for cooler evenings. During quieter moments, there's also ample opportunity to relax in the quieter corners of the garden, where hammocks and beanbag chairs await.

The wellness facilities at The Coach House add another dimension to stays. Here, guests are invited to indulge in the luxurious six-person hot tub, or let worries melt away in the infrared sauna – you'll not need for anything here. For those seeking invigoration and something a bit more energetic, the lawns are the perfect place to challenge your companions to a variety of friendly games of croquet, tennis, badminton, bowls, cricket, garden golf, football, table tennis and more. Alternatively, on the patio you can play giant chess, draughts, dominoes, jenga, connect four, or twister.

If you choose to venture into the estate’s 40 acres of woodland, scenic trails and glades present themselves for morning jogs and family walks (wellies and waterproofs are kept in the hall cupboard). The house wicker hampers and cool boxes are supplied for picnics, where you can watch horses graze nearby in the paddocks.

Beyond the estate into the surrounding countryside, trails guide guests into the wider landscape, where you can enjoy incredible views across the county. Several routes lead directly to local country pubs, gastropubs and restaurants, while some of the county’s best vineyards are located within a short drive. For wider exploration, a mainline station in Harrietsham benefits from direct trains to London in just over an hour, and several destination across Kent via the route to Ashford.