A stunning 19th-century property in Kent, transformed into a golfer's ultimate dream home and recently celebrated as one of England's finest properties, has hit the market for £2.25 million.
Golf coach Paul Foston and his wife, Angela, have poured their passion into their Smarden home, creating an unparalleled sporting retreat. Despite being listed since last summer and featuring in a prestigious Sunday Times list of 'extraordinary' homes, the five-bedroom house is still awaiting the right buyer.
From Vision to Golfing Reality
Paul, a successful coach who trained professionals to 11 Open Tour victories, saw the potential of their property, named Appletrees, after years of weather-disrupted lessons. The couple purchased the home in the late 90s, just ten months after they met, with Angela placing an offer before Paul had even seen it.
They converted a Normandy barn on the grounds into a state-of-the-art indoor practice facility, a move Paul says has been a huge success. He has not returned to a traditional golf course to teach since, apart from on-course playing lessons.
The estate now boasts an impressive array of features, including:
- Two putting greens
- A splash bunker
- A 6ft high, St Andrew's-style revetted bunker
- A rolling short game area
- A 1,800 sq ft green for shots within 50 yards
- A state-of-the-art indoor simulator
A Flourishing Business and a Global Reach
What began as a winter project has flourished into a thriving golf academy. Paul now delivers roughly 1,000 lessons annually. During the Covid pandemic, the couple expanded their reach globally by creating an app.
"It has 65 five-minute videos which teach golfers every shot they will experience on course, as well as learning course strategy and developing mental strength," Paul explained. "The app enables golfers to have a lesson with me 24/7, wherever they are in the world."
This digital venture has attracted an international clientele, with recent visitors from the United States, Singapore, and India making the trip to Smarden.
Passing the Torch to a New Owner
After 24 happy years, the couple are now looking to scale back and relocate to Berkshire to be nearer family. Paul intends to work less and play more golf himself.
Angela, a Tourism Development Consultant, reflected on the property's history and its future potential. "Appletrees has had just five owners since 1890," she said, noting that each has made transformative changes.
She believes the property offers endless possibilities, suitable not only for a tour player, coach, or golf enthusiast but also for multi-generational living or a different business venture. The location provides the best of both worlds: a quiet, rural oasis with village life, pubs, and butchers on the doorstep, plus access to four London stations within an hour and the beautiful Camber Sands beach just 35 minutes away.
"It's a house that when people come in, you almost feel the love for it," Angela added. "It's brought a lot of happiness over the years, and now it's time to pass it on to someone else."
