A Grade-II listed property, boasting a unique feature, is on the market for £900,000. Beckets, a detached house with historical roots tracing back to the 12th century, offers potential buyers not just a stunning family home but also a piece of medieval history.
The listing reveals that the property houses tunnels beneath it, extending under roads, fields, and neighbouring properties in the village, reaching depths of up to 60ft. Some even claim Thomas Becket, known as Saint Thomas of Canterbury, once hid in these caves while fleeing from King Henry II. The property, which features five bedrooms, a large garden, a garage, and a gated driveway, has been meticulously cared for by its current owners over the past twenty years.
Beckets retains its historical charm with a medieval roof structure and wall framework, complemented by wattle and daub sections.
Over the centuries, Beckets, situated in Eastry, a village in Kent near Sandwich, has undergone transformations. Its original timber-framed structure was expanded in the 18th century to include a Georgian front façade.
In the 1970s, an additional wing was added at one end. The entrance leads to an oak-framed porch and a traditional country kitchen adorned with terracotta tiles, bespoke wooden units, and a lantern skylight.
In addition, an adjoining breakfast area leads to a dining room, where a massive inglenook fireplace with a Bressumer beam creates a striking centrepiece. The living space boasts dual-aspect views, built-in shelving, and a striking marble fireplace.
An oak staircase – thought to originate from a mansion in Tunbridge Wells – leads up to the original first floor. In the more recent wing, there’s a generous sitting room that was formerly utilised as a music space.
The upper storey houses two extra bedrooms and a bathroom, while the main staircase ascends to the original part of the house. A family bathroom boasts a roll-top bath and the property’s large double bedrooms offer views over the surrounding areas.
However, it’s not just the interior that makes this home stand out, but what lies beneath. Beckets has the only known private access.
In related news, property website Rightmove recently revealed its list of the most viewed homes in 2025 so far, featuring a historic church and a property with a rather peculiar feature.
The house, located in Conwy, North Wales, boasts an unusual centrepiece in its bathroom: a bathtub shaped like a stiletto heel. This quirky feature was highlighted by Rightmove property expert Colleen Babcock.
Colleen commented: “From a stiletto-shaped bathtub abode in Conwy to a restored historic church in Bradford, this year’s most viewed homes so far on Rightmove highlight the unique charm and diversity of the UK housing market.
“With the UK’s largest choice of homes, there’s a home to meet any unique requirement on Rightmove, from historic estates to modern mega-mansions. It’s no wonder that home seekers spent over 16.4 billion minutes on our platform last year, exploring these incredible properties.”