Seasalter, Whitstable, Kent

This spacious four-bedroom house is situated a short walk from the beautiful beaches of Seasalter, Kent. The house was designed in 1973 by architect Robin Wilson and has recently undergone a comprehensive refurbishment that has seen the creation of light, bright spaces oriented around a central courtyard. At the rear is a large garden, with a coastal-inspired planting scheme of wildflowers and grasses, and plenty of room for al fresco dining. Nearby Whitstable has a fantastic selection of shops, cafés and restaurants, while Canterbury and Margate are also close at hand.

The Tour

From the road, the house appears as a classic single-storey, mid-century modernist house. The rear of the building, however, reveals a further two storeys with incredible sea views, taking the total internal area to approximately 2,500 sq ft. Within, the house is characterised by a wonderfully bright, airy quality, and an incredible sense of connection to nature fostered by the expansive windows throughout.

The house surrounds a paved central courtyard which grants access to and from the ground floor on three sides. Full-height sliding doors provide a wonderful continuity with the outside space, allowing sunlight to be cast across the oak floors and white-brick interior. The living, dining and kitchen areas are all brilliantly illuminated, with white detailing adding to the fresh atmosphere created by the architecture itself. At once sociable yet private, the subtly interlinked rooms function both independently and in tandem.

The ground-floor bedroom has its own wet room and access to a private patio and pergola. Currently used as an office, it has wooden floors and walls painted in a deep, enveloping green. Two further bedrooms lie on the first floor, one of which is painted in a pink shade of Farrow & Ball and both with wool carpet.

Crowning the house, the main bedroom lies on the second floor. Light floods the space through three Velux windows, which frame views across the marshes to one side and towards the sea on the other; there is also a skylight overhead. There is a walk-in wardrobe area with built-in cabinetry and pale green walls, plus a large bathroom with a walk-in shower and a beautiful curved bath. This space feels supremely peaceful, with the expansive views working to place the house within the context of its surroundings.

Outdoor Space

The central courtyard makes an excellent spot for gathering, with easy access between indoors and out. The space is a suntrap on hot days, planted with olive trees, a pomegranete tree and a banana tree.

There is also a well-proportioned mature garden with an original brick-built barbecue and paved area for dining, surrounded by a trellis which provides a shady spot for long lunches. A luscious lawn extends behind, with bushes and mature planting surrounding it. The adjacent raised beds are planted with herbs to create a thriving kitchen garden.

The Area

This lovely stretch of coast is popular throughout the year for its wealth of beaches, watersports and proximity to Canterbury, which offers a wide range of amenities and cultural interests.

Whitstable offers an impressive mix of independent shops, cafés, and restaurants, wonderful historic architecture and a thriving cultural scene. With its own Biennale, a wealth of independent businesses, and easy access to London, the area supports a diverse community enjoying a vibrant life on the coast. Whitstable is historically famed for its oysters; the epicurean tradition has continued locally with the annual Whitstable Oyster Festival and at Wheelers Oyster Bar, Oyster Co., and Stephen Harris’ Michelin-starred The Sportsman. Other dining options within a half-hour drive include The Fordwich Arms, The Pig at Bridge Place, and The Goods Shed in Canterbury, all driven by local produce. The area has a very good selection of primary and secondary schools.

There is a year-round indoor farmers market at The Goods Shed in Canterbury which is about 15 minutes by car and the excellent Macknade Fine Foods can be found in nearby Faversham. The seaside town of Margate lies just a short distance along the coast with the Turner Contemporary situated on its seafront.

HS1 highspeed rail link runs from Whitstable to London St. Pancras and Stratford International in about 1 hour 20 minutes.

Council Tax Band: F