Finding that idyllic rural home in the garden of England is a dream many of us have, and, thankfully, attractive family properties aren’t exactly hard to come by in this most pretty part of the country. Ready to start dreaming? Here’s our pick of the best country homes available right now…

Bustling market towns, cobbled streets, medieval bridges, beautiful rivers, sprawling meadows and acres of peaceful woodland – yep, Kent has a long list of blessings to offer its residents. If you’re the kind of homebuyer who longs for traditional features and country character then feast your eyes on this delightful nine-bedroom abode in Westerham.

Surrounded by 20 acres of lush green countryside at the foot of a gated, private driveway and covered in charming timber beams that make our hearts ache, this is a fantastic example of the high calibre homes on offer in Kent.

The country kitchen has a large Aga stove and traditional clay tiles, with room to sit around the table while something delicious roasts in the oven. It's on the market for £4.9m with Humberts.

Other gorgeous features include an inglenook fireplace, 17th century panelling and an incredible piece of late 16th-century wall painting with scripture text. What a talking point! Need another cool fact to convince you? Ok then, the oast house was once used by monks for brewing beer.

With many stations running fast trains into London, the area is ideal for city workers looking to get a little more for their money while living out their dream of owning a grand old country pile. It doesn't get much better than this smart, Queen Anne-style property with its classical proportions and impressive entrance. It's on the market for £7,950,000 with Strutt & Parker.

With a commanding position within its own parkland, the house offers far-reaching views over the surrounding countryside, which is in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the edge of the picturesque village of Penshurst.

The house has bags of space and this stately lounge is one of too many rooms to mention, but anyone who enjoys alfresco entertaining will be right at home here, thanks to the impeccably manicured gardens and grounds that extend to over 18 acres and boast – wait for it – a heated swimming pool.

The double staircase makes an elegant first impression in the hallway. Outside there's a colossal terrace that stretches the width of the house perfect for drinking in the views and some of the fabulous Kentish weather. Surrounding the property there's extensive woodland and a picturesque duck pond with its own little duck house. Did someone say fresh eggs for breakfast?

Could this be Britain’s best beach house? Ideal for both beam bums and golfing nuts, Kentlands is a particularly unique property overlooking Sandwich Bay to the front and the world-renowned Royal St George’s Golf Club to the side. 

Located directly on the seafront, access to the beach is unhindered so you can paddle into the water whenever the weather permits! Or, if you’d prefer the luxury of a heated pool, you’re in luck, as one can be found in a private walled garden elsewhere on the property.

Inside the house has been refurbished and decorated with real flair. The traditional meets the modern in this stunning new kitchen, with ample open shelving, a double butler sink and a marble-topped kitchen island. 

Staying true to the age of the house, the main living room has gorgeous wood panelling and exposed floorboards. The main house has eight bedrooms, while a further two are available in The Lodge House, a separate accommodation. It's on sale for £3 million with Strutt & Parker.

Tonbridge has superb links to London and this detached Tudor home of immense character will have you packing your bags and moving to the country quicker than you can say ‘exposed beams’.

On the market for a shade under a million pounds with Hamptons, buying this Grade II-listed house is a shortcut to country living with easy access to the south coast. It's located in a rural hamlet called Peckham Bush and nearby East Peckham has an attractive central square and range of local shops. Sevenoaks, Royal Tunbridge Wells and Maidstone are no more than a 30-minute drive away.

The property has a beautiful garden stretching over half an acre of mature trees and planting, with a patio area for your garden furniture to enjoy time outdoors. There's a double garage, a gravel driveway leading up to the house via a five-bar gate and another outbuilding that would be perfect as a home office.

It’s thought to be the oldest home in the area and it oozes period features, such as a gorgeous inglenook fireplace. However, modern convenience has been fully embraced, so you can expect mobile controlled lighting and a fitted sound system. 

We’re drooling over the cute blue shutters on this stunning Grade II-listed Kentish house that looks like it would be quite at home in New England.

Boasting a self-contained annexe, heated swimming pool, tennis court, detached three-bed cottage, paddocks, equestrian facilities with paddocks AND plenty of woodlands, this home – quite literally – has it all! 

Listed with Savills for £4,250,000, the house is beautifully decorated in a classic English style with original period features like the blonde wood parquet flooring and wrought-iron bannisters. Within the renowned Cranbrook School catchment area, such an elegant country estate surely won’t stay on the market for long…

The huge house has more living space than your average country pile with a living room, sitting room, drawing room and dining room plus six bedrooms, a laundry room and a large kitchen. It's a traditional country house laid out for families and big enough for all those guests who'll want to visit the stunning area, a site of Oustanding Natural Beauty.

Securely set within the desirable gated community of Farnborough Park, you’ll feel perfectly safe here, plus there’s plenty of space for the whole family, with six bedrooms, two bathrooms and three reception rooms plus a conservatory. Your motors will be well cared for too, thanks to a double integrated garage and a carport at the foot of the sweeping drive.

There's half an acre of well-tended grounds and mature gardens plus this cool swimming pool and even tennis courts. In terms of location, the house is close to Orpington and Bromley South train stations, bus routes and the M25.

Built in the 1950s, the house hasn't been on the market for 40 years so it's ripe for a refurb and could easily be extended without cutting into the huge grounds. 

 It's on the market for £2,250,00 with JMD Estate Agents and – best of all – the sellers are chain-free and ready to do business.

Adorned with wisteria and situated within landscaped gardens, this handsome pile of bricks is in the adorable village of Littlebourne, just five miles from the Canterbury. It's an idyllic place with all the trappings of a traditional village, including a church, a village green, local schools and a range of shops and amenities.

Approached by two gated entrances, the property includes 1.5-acres of beautiful grounds with mature fruit trees, a rose garden and arbour, herbaceous borders and even a formal avenue of trees leading to the glade at the far end of the garden.

In fact, you’d be pushed to find a sweeter country house with quite so many welcome extras, such as a garden pond, tennis court, rose gardens, a cottage and a rather inviting sun terrace. It's on the market for a round £2 million with Jackson Stops.

Inside this Grade II-listed house is exactly as you would expect, with exposed wooden beams throughout and two working fireplaces. Original oak floors, panelling and staircase at the heart of the building are just a few of the period features that make this house a dream property. Still hungry for more? Check out these perfect Poldark-inspired houses for sale in Cornwall.