Tatlingbury’s year as a real rural community
The historic Tatlingbury Farm at Capel, given a new lease of life as a beautiful place to live, is marking its first anniversary with all the homes occupied.
The last available property, the stunning Dutch Barn, was sold last March. All the residents are now fully settled and the development, led by Hadlow Estate owners Kate and Harry Teacher and built out by award-winning local builder Canham Homes, is a thriving community.
Julie Palmer, who moved into the Dutch Barn in March 2025, said: “We love the benefits of owning a new home, but the unique character The Dutch Barn has – thanks to the use of traditional metalwork as a feature – made it extra special.
“The barn offers beautiful views over the orchards, and it’s a pleasure watching the wildlife. We enjoy the benefits of living in the countryside while still being conveniently located for easy access to Tonbridge, Paddock Wood, and London.”
Set on the historic Hadlow Estate, Tatlingbury Farm was once part of the Lowy of Tonbridge, granted to a Richard FitzGilbert around the site of Tonbridge Castle after the Norman Conquest in 1066. There is evidence of a settlement on the site from the 1400s.
By 1840 a distinct cluster of buildings had been mapped and recorded at Tatlingbury and the farm was in use, producing fruit and hops and rearing livestock, right up until the end of the 20th century.
When the Estate’s farming operations were centralised at Hadlow Place Farm, a new use had to be found for Tatlingbury. The Estate owners were keen to renovate and enhance the farmstead and the project to convert historic farm buildings as well as to build 3 new homes on the site of old agricultural sheds gradually took shape.
Kate’s commitment to retaining the unique nature of the site, while creating beautiful comfortable homes, led to the launch of the project. The result is six beautiful residential properties.
The development is made up of The Stables, a three-bedroom conversion of the former stable block, new builds at numbers 1 and 2 Hop Barn Cottages, each with three bedrooms, the four-bedroom Hop Barn House, also a new build, and the converted Granary, with three bedrooms. The four-bed Dutch Barn conversion makes up the sixth property.
