Tunbridge Wells, Sussex

5 Forest Gate House

Broadwater Down | Tunbridge Wells | Sussex | TN2 5TF

Step inside 5 Forest Gate House

Built in 2022 Forest Gate House is a fascinating and award-winning development of nine luxurious apartments adjacent to the delightful 152-acre Hargate Forest and only a couple of minutes’ drive from the famous Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells. It is approached along a conservation area in the tree-lined Broadwater Down, which leads to a vast block-paved frontage providing private off-road parking. It is at this stage that you can begin to appreciate the stunning appearance of the building with its cantilevered design, cedar cladding and curved mellow brickwork exterior.

This luxury apartment is on the first floor and accessed via the glazed entrance with an automatic door entry system. This opens into a spacious light and airy communal hall with a lift and stairs to the upper floors and features large windows looking out onto the forest as well as stunning statement drop-pendant lampshades. The apartment front door opens into a corridor with underfloor heating that flows throughout the apartment and has a useful store cupboard. There is access to two well-proportioned double bedrooms and a spacious angled bathroom with porcelain floor and wall tiles, a bath, separate walk-in shower, vanity basin, anti-steam mirror and ample built in storage facilities.

However, the ‘star of the show’ is the nearly 30 ft kitchen/dining/living room with hardwood herringbone flooring, floor to ceiling windows and French doors to the delightful, covered balcony where you can sit and enjoy wonderful, landscaped views. The superb bespoke kitchen/breakfast area includes a large breakfast bar and glossy white flat fronted units with quartz worktops housing a Bosch hob, oven, fridge freezer and dishwasher, while still leaving plenty of space for a dining table and chairs.

There is also a sizable, fitted utility room with dual laundry facilities and built-in storage cupboards, BT/data and TV points in the living room and bedrooms as well as a dedicated parking space with an electric car charging point plus additional free parking on the road. All residents will have a share of the freehold upon the sale of the last apartment.

Seller Insight

We wanted an apartment that had something special, that wasn’t a generic apartment block, and this certainly met all our criteria. We loved the luxury feel of the building, its individuality and unusual design that was recognised by the industry as it won the What House Best Apartment Scheme in 2022 and the Tunbridge Wells Civic Society Award the same year. It’s been very thoughtfully designed to be in-keeping with the natural woodland surroundings and features luxury finishes and design elements, like high ceilings and floor to ceiling windows, that beautifully merge comfort, style and practicality.

We also loved the fact that it was a small development of just nine apartments, built into the hillside, surrounded by trees, landscaped gardens and an incredible woodland, yet still just a stones’ throw from all the amenities we could want. We chose our first-floor apartment for its superb position and layout, especially the incredible open plan kitchen/ living area, with ample light, a lovely balcony, high ceilings and a huge four-seater quartz bar top. The utility room has also proved to be a very useful and practical space to have.

There are gorgeous walks in the adjacent woods, and we are just minutes from the centre of Tunbridge Wells. Indeed, we have the best of both worlds - a peaceful country style environment with access to everything the town has to offer as well as within easy reach of London. Also, Broadwater Down is a very exclusive area as it was originally owned by the Abergavenny Estate and the fourth Earl decided to develop it to cater for the up-and-coming wealthy middle classes wanting to live in a fashionable town.

Tunbridge Wells or, more formally Royal Tunbridge Wells, became a famous spa town in Regency times when it was frequented by the aristocracy who came to take the waters and enjoy the entertainment organised by Beau Nash. Much of this historic town was developed during that time including the famous Pantiles that now offers a delightful mix of independent shops, bars and restaurants. While the rest of the town includes high street stores, a variety of eateries, individual shops, hair and beauty salons and a number of luxury and boutique hotels as well as retail parks. Entertainment facilities include a nine-screen Odeon cinema, the Trinity theatre, the well-respected Assembly Hall Theatre and exhibitions in the Amelia Scott cultural centre. While trains from the station can be in London Bridge in under 45 minutes.

With regard to education there are a number of primary and secondary schools rated Outstanding by Ofsted including St James and St Peters’ C of E primary schools and secondary schools including Bennett Memorial Diocesan School, the St Gregory’s Catholic School as well as Tunbridge Wells Girls Grammar School and Skinners Grammar School. Claremont Primary has also been judged Outstanding in various categories. You will also find excellent private schools in the area including Rosehill, The Mead, Kent College, Holmewood House and Beechwood prep and secondary school.*

* These comments are included as an insight into life at the property. They have not been independently verified, should not be relied on without verification and do not necessarily reflect the views of the agent

Travel

By Road

Wells station

By Train from Tunbridge Wells

Leisure Clubs & Facilities

Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre

Tunbridge Wells Borderers Cricket Club

Tunbridge Wells Rugby Club

Tunbridge Wells Croquet Club

Tunbridge Wells Tennis Club

Bayham Football Club

Neville Golf Club

Healthcare

Lonsdale Medical Centre

01892 530329

Wells Medical Centre 01892 546422

Kingswood Surgery 01892 511833

Grosvenor and St James 01892 544777

Tunbridge Wells Hospital 01622 729000

Education

Primary Schools

Broadwater Down Primary 01892 527588

Claremount Primary 01892 531395

forest Park Nursery 01892 512313

St James’ C of E Primary 01892 523006

St Peter’s C of E Primary 01892 525727

Hildenborough Primary 01732 833394

Somerhill (independent) 01732 352124

Hilden Grange Preparatory 01732 351169

Secondary Schools

The Skinners’ School 01892 520732

Tunbridge Wells Girls Grammar 01892 520902

Tunbridge Wells Boys Grammar 01892 529551

Hill View School for Girls 01732 352793

The Judd School (Voluntary aided) 01732 770880

Tonbridge Grammar School for Girls 01732 770880

Tonbridge School (Independent) 01732 365555

Entertainment

Odeon Cinema complex

Trinity Theatre

Assembly Theatre

Rocca Restaurant and Cocktail bar

Thackerays

The Ivy

Local Attractions / Landmarks

Tonbridge Castle

Hever Castle

Chartwell

Penshurst Place

Knole House

Hall Place Leigh

Penshurst Place

Knole House

Hall Place Leigh

GROUND FLOOR

Communal Entrance

Private Entrance

OUTSIDE

Allocated