Karelia, Cuckoo Lane, Hythe, CT21 4ET

A truly exceptional and highly individual contemporary family home, Karelia was designed and created by the current owners in 2008 as a modern, eco-responsible residence, thoughtfully conceived to make the most of its enviable position on the edge of the picturesque village of Postling.

Offering an impressive 5000 sq.ft of accommodation, the house enjoys far-reaching countryside views in every direction and sits within approximately two acres, including around 1.5 acres of paddocks and equestrian facilities.

From the moment you arrive, the scale and individuality of this remarkable home are immediately apparent.

A striking double-height entrance hall, with glazed elevations and exposed timber beams, creates an impressive introduction, with both stairs and a lift providing access to the galleried first-floor landing.

The ground floor has been designed around modern family living, with a fantastic series of interconnected spaces including a substantial living and dining room, bespoke kitchen/breakfast room, cinema/sitting room, office/family room and impressive pool and leisure room.

The bespoke handmade 'Thoroughly Wood' kitchen forms the heart of the home, whilst the generous living and dining room features an inset fireplace and extensive glazing overlooking the surrounding grounds.

The cinema room is fitted with a bespoke wall unit, while the impressive office/family room is a wonderfully versatile space, currently incorporating fitted desking, a bar and a full-size snooker table with a bespoke wooden overlay which transforms it into a dining table.

Bi-fold doors open directly onto the enclosed garden, creating an excellent space for entertaining.

Perhaps one of the most unusual features is the dedicated pool and leisure room, complete with a 7m x 3m swimming pool, currently covered but easily reinstated, together with a jacuzzi and shower area.

There is also ample space for gym and fitness equipment, creating an enviable leisure facility within the home itself.

Arranged over the first and second floors are seven bedrooms, providing exceptional flexibility for a large family, guests or those requiring generous home-working space.

The principal bedroom enjoys a Juliet balcony and access to a sun deck/terrace, together with its own en suite shower room.

A further four bedrooms are found on the first floor, served by two en suites and the main family bathroom, with two further bedrooms occupying the second floor.

Outside: Karelia occupies a 1.5 acre plot which has landscaped frontage and is approached via a substantial driveway providing ample parking and access to the large double integral garage.

The gardens wrap around the property and have been thoughtfully created to provide a series of individual spaces, from formal planting and mature hedging to more secluded areas designed for relaxation and entertaining.

To the village side is a beautiful 'secret garden', enclosed by mature ragstone walling and planted with established trees and shrubs, including a magnificent weeping Acer.

A Japanese-inspired theme creates a wonderfully peaceful setting, with espalier fruit trees, a sheltered hexagonal summer house, raised patio and pond.

To the rear, the gardens become more natural in character, with a wildlife pond fed by a winter chalk stream, established borders, winding pathways and a number of impressive ornamental trees.

A substantial greenhouse and productive vegetable garden provide an opportunity for those wishing to embrace a more self-sufficient lifestyle, with established fruit trees, soft fruit and vegetable beds.

Beyond the formal gardens are the paddocks and equestrian facilities, extending to approximately 1.5 acres and bordered by mature native hedgerows which provide an important habitat for abundant birdlife.

There is also an orchard with productive apple and plum trees, together with a substantial stable block incorporating three stables, feed and tack room, storage and workshop facilities.

A working borehole provides an independent water supply for the gardens and other uses, further complementing the property's eco-conscious design.

Karelia is a rare and fascinating home, combining substantial contemporary accommodation with an exceptional rural setting and an outstanding range of lifestyle facilities.

With seven bedrooms, extensive open-plan living, indoor leisure facilities, equestrian potential, beautifully established gardens and approximately two acres of grounds, it offers an extraordinary opportunity to enjoy a modern country lifestyle in one of Kent's most desirable rural locations.

Situation: Postling is a wonderfully peaceful and picturesque village set amidst the rolling countryside of the Kent Downs, just inland from the coast and within easy reach of both Hythe and Folkestone.

Surrounded by open countryside and beautiful walking routes, the village offers the tranquillity of rural living while remaining exceptionally well placed for the coast, towns and London.

The nearby market town of Hythe provides an excellent range of everyday amenities, including independent shops, cafés, restaurants, pubs and local services, together with the attractive Royal Military Canal and long stretches of coastline.

Folkestone offers a considerably wider choice, with the regenerated harbour, seafront and the increasingly popular Creative Quarter around the Old High Street and Tontine Street.

The town has developed a particularly cool and creative atmosphere, with independent boutiques, galleries, studios, cafés, bars and restaurants alongside the Harbour Arm.

(Folkestone & Hythe) Just along the coast, Sandgate is another highly desirable spot, known for its village atmosphere, seafront, independent shops, cafés, restaurants and small bars.

Sitting between Folkestone and Hythe, it provides a lovely coastal setting with the beach and promenade offering an easy way to enjoy the coastline.

(Sandgate Parish Council) There is a good selection of schooling across the surrounding area, with primary schools in nearby villages and a choice of secondary and independent schools in Folkestone, Hythe and Ashford.

The wider area also benefits from a number of well-regarded grammar and independent schools, making the location particularly appealing to families.

For commuters, Folkestone Central provides regular high-speed services to London St Pancras, with journey times of just over 50 minutes, while the M20 provides straightforward road access towards Ashford, Canterbury, the M25 and London.

The Channel Tunnel is also close by, providing excellent connections to France and mainland Europe.

(Creative Folkestone) Canterbury and Ashford are both within easy reach for further shopping, culture and leisure, while the surrounding countryside and coastline provide an abundance of opportunities for walking, cycling and outdoor pursuits.

The combination of rural village life, the coast on your doorstep, the increasingly vibrant creative scene in Folkestone and Sandgate, and fast connections to London makes Postling a particularly appealing and well-connected place to live.