Bodhi Meadow is a tranquil retreat, a contemporary five-bedroom home surrounded by an ancient apple tree orchard, set within eight to ten acres of organic meadowland (with a further 15 acres also available to acquire). The house is located in the village of Stockbury, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the North Kent Downs. A beautifully renovated two-bedroom cottage, predating 1900, is also included within its plot, alongside two expansive Dutch barns offering great potential for further accommodation or a creative project.

The composition of the house draws inspiration from the design sensibilities of the Californian Case Study projects, synonymous with a modular layout and efficient use of industrial materials. A steel frame, flat roof and extensive glazing throughout provides a harmonious balance between the interior spaces and expansive surrounding landscape. The most distinctive structural feature is the red brick wall which stretches through the length of the house; the external section providing privacy and shelter, with the added advantage of expanding the curtilage. A series of angled buttresses offer a playful nod to the historic village architecture.

The internal living space of the main house measures 2573 square feet, apportioned across a lateral plan over the ground and lower floor.  The primary living area is a beautifully light, open-plan room, designed around sociable cooking, eating and relaxation. A simple, bespoke preparation kitchen sits opposite the dining space, with a second cooking area and adjoining pantry in the room adjacent. The living room centres around a solid fuel log burner, surrounded by six floor-to-ceiling thermal plate glass walls, each with electronic blinds. A second set of glass doors lead out to a decked area, a sheltered dining space overlooking a more recently established orchard, constituting fruit and nut trees from Brogdale’s National Collection.

An exceptionally light walkway interconnects the living area with a second external decked terrace and two bedrooms, positioned at the opposite end of the ground floor. Each bedroom has its own ensuite and uninterrupted views out to the meadowland, the master also has a log-burner. A fourth bedroom and a further bathroom are also located on the ground floor.

An oak staircase with glass balustrade leads down to a cinema room (or playroom) which can be screened for privacy. A further bedroom with built-in storage and ensuite bathroom are also located on the lower level.

The two-bedroom cottage, recently discovered to be set on a Neolithic site, is located to one side of the plot and provides a self-contained hideaway. The space internally is just shy of 500 square feet and has been decorated in a soft, muted colour palette with original floorboards, shuttered sash windows and two fireplaces.  Garden wraps the cottage, with an outlook onto an avenue of Cherry saplings, neighbouring fields and on a clear day, a view of the sea.

Two expansive Dutch barns are also included in the plot, measuring a total of 7320 square feet internally – one a hay barn, the other a cattle shed. 1/3 of the cattle shed has been fully enclosed with new walls, floors and power installed. A chicken enclosure and an additional store room sit opposite.

Stockbury has a population of approximately 700 residents and takes its name from Saint Simon Stock, a 12^th Century hermit who is said to have lived in a hollow tree in the area for 20 years. The village has a thriving farm shop and post office and a great pub – The Harrow – central to the village for over 200 years. The house also sits within the catchment area of a selection of Outstanding and Excellent Ofsted Grammar Schools.

Despite its rural location, Stockbury offers easy access to the capital. Rainham station, located just 5 miles from Bodhi Meadow, provides a high-speed route into St Pancras in 50 minutes and direct lines to Victoria and the City.

The popular coastal towns of Whitstable (20 minutes by car) and Margate (a 45-minute drive away) have excellent sandy and pebble beaches. Leeds Castle is a popular local attraction for families and the serene, flat marshlands of the Isle of Sheppey and its 3200-acre Elmley Nature Reserve is located just 12 miles from the house. Maidstone and Canterbury are also nearby and offer a good selection of independent shops. Faversham’s Perry Woods is a local favourite for walking and cycling and Macknade Fine Foods for its expansive choice of local cheese and wines.

Please note that all areas, measurements and distances given in these particulars are approximate and rounded. The text, photographs and floor plans are for general guidance only. The Modern House has not tested any services, appliances or specific fittings — prospective purchasers are advised to inspect the property themselves. All fixtures, fittings and furniture not specifically itemised within these particulars are deemed removable by the vendor.