A Kent care home which was once the home of science fiction writer, HG Wells, has been sold.

Wells House Nursing Home was put on the market by owner, Victoria Nursing Group, along with the nearby Wells Lodge Nursing Home, both in Folkestone.

Wells House occupies a large, 21-bedroom mansion with views overlooking Sandgate, near Folkestone.

Designed by CFA Voysey, this Grade II-listed property was the former home of Wells from 1901-1909 and has since been converted for care use.

Wells Lodge is a nursing home registered for up to 22 elderly residents, occupying a large, well-presented three-storey detached house in the Leas area of Folkestone which has been substantially extended.

The homes were brought to market in order for the group to further extend its three care homes in Hove.

Following a confidential sales process with John Harrison at Christie & Co, Wells House has been sold to Wells Haven and Wells Lodge has been sold to Merryhill Care, both of whom already have care experience behind them.

Harrison said: “These sales demonstrate the strong demand we are continuing to see for care homes in the South East.”

Wells Lodge and Wells House were sold for an undisclosed price.