The Cottage, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex

Built in the early 19th century, this serene two-bedroom house is sited in peaceful Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex. Its picture-pretty double-fronted façade has been painted a soothing sandy hue - a shade that sets the tone for the pared-back yet resoundingly elegant interiors within. Contemporary design is balanced with a farmhouse-style rusticity that makes use of a tactile material palette of lime-washed walls and oak floors. A short walk from Shoreham-by-Sea station, Chantry House is also exceptionally placed for rail commutes into the capital or to nearby Brighton.

Setting the Scene

Shoreham-by-Sea has a rich and varied history. Old Shoreham dates to pre-Roman times, with the newer port and town established around the 11th-century. Throughout the ages the area has had famous residents including Captain Cook, and briefly became home to the British film industry when the first commercial film was shot on Shoreham Beach in 1912. East Street is opposite St Mary de Haura, a Grade I-listed parish church that as stood as a place of worship for over 900 years. The street has long been known as one of the main shopping destinations for the town and was pedestrianised in 2011, winning an award for its community-centred approach.

This house lies in the centre of the town, its symmetrical, sash-studded frontage giving away its early 19th-century inception. It was built in 1820 and retains several original features, including an arched red-brick fireplace, Georgian timber panelling and fireplaces in each bedroom. While its period provenance is tangible, the house has been transformed in recent years with sublime finishes and fittings.

The Grand Tour

A muted brown-painted front door opens to a hallway, with the sisal-carpeted stairs directly ahead. On the left is the dining room, where the house's trademark palette of lime-washed walls and wide oak floorboards is formally introduced. A cast-iron fireplace lies on one side, providing a warming focal point during the winter.

Light from a window at the front is drawn in by generous double-aspect glazing at the rear, in the living space. Located up a pair of steps and through a wide, almost sculptural archway, the sitting room is beautifully bright care of a five-window bay. Stained glass windows on the adjacent wall frame an exquisite red-brick fireplace (is this tiled?). Neat cast-iron radiators have been installed here and throughout.

The kitchen/breakfast room lies on the other side of the entrance hall. Homely finishes have been adopted here, with white-painted cabinets and a generous oak countertop. Appliances by SMEG have been neatly integrated. A reclaimed? freestanding sink sits beneath a sash window overlooking the garden. Glazed doors at one end provide easy garden access, while a spacious pantry and smart utility room/WC adjoin from another.

No detail has been overlooked in the two en suite bedrooms, both of which are found on the first floor. Their elevated positions and south-facing windows draw in plenty of light, displaying the characterful texture of the lime-washed walls in their fullness. The main bedroom has a characterful cast-iron set within a brick-lined inlet. Its en suite bathroom is especially generous and is accessed via an arched walkway with storage on one side. The curves and contours of the room, which has a luxurious walk-in shower and a roll-top bathtub, are redolent of Cycladic architecture. A similarly impeccable finish has been employed in the second en suite, which also has a roll-top bath, walk-in shower an reclaimed double marble sink.

Carved out on the lower-ground floor is a timber-clad sauna – the perfect retreat after a brisk dip in the Adur River or the sea (the Yacht club is opposite, with Sailing, kayaks and paddle boarding).

The Great Outdoors

The garden is accessed via refined French doors in the kitchen. A paved area directly abuts the house, with steps up to a lawn with plenty of scope for planting. The red-brick wall that bounds the space curves round to form deep brick-built beds ripe for stocking with colourful perennials.

Out and About

East Street has an abundance of independent shops, restaurants and boutiques. La Patisserie is an artisan bakery and coffee shop a few doors down from the house, while the Best Health Shop is excellent for stocking up on organic supplies. Closer to the River Adur, Neighbourhood Store has a host of locally produced gifts, and The Living Room is an excellent option for sourcing vintage homewares.

Shoreham-by-Sea is brilliantly positioned between Brighton and Worthing on a long stretch of beach much loved by water sports enthusiasts and year-round swimmers. From May onwards, the beach, a nature reserve, bursts into bloom with wildflowers. The beautiful River Adur runs through the town, offering opportunities for paddleboarding and canoeing, and supports a variety of wildlife including wading birds and gulls. Every fortnight, Shoreham has a large farmers’ market famous for its local produce from the surrounding areas.

Further outside the town is the South Downs National Park, which has access to excellent walking and cycling routes to ancient landmarks such as Cissbury Ring, Devil’s Dyke and Arundel Castle. The adjacent hills and plains are now producing highly regarded English sparkling wines as well as organic meats and vegetables, sold in an impressive network of local vintners and farm shops.

The West Sussex Coast is peppered with seaside towns that have seen significant regeneration and are increasingly popular. Shoreham is no exception, with several renowned architecture practices promoting their projects along the beachfront. Worthing, Angmering, Arundel and Chichester (with its internationally renowned galleries) are within short driving distance of the house. Littlehampton is also close by, offering facilities for sailing in addition to the East Beach Café, designed by Thomas Heatherwick.

Brighton is within easy reach, with some excellent restaurants and all the amenities of a city. In the centre of Brighton are The Lanes, known for its bohemian charm. The area is home to an abundance of independent fashion and interior design boutiques and the renowned Snoopers Paradise. For organic food, Infinity Foods is the place to go, while Wølfox Cafe specialises in excellent coffee. Plateau and Mange Tout are renowned for their natural wines, while The Coal Shed is famous for its steak. Burnt Orange, their sister restaurant, specialises in wood-fired cuisine.

There are several excellent schools in the area, both state and private, including nearby Lancing College and Shoreham College.

Direct trains run from Shoreham-by-Sea station (a four-minute walk away) to London Victoria in just over an hour, or to Brighton in around 15 minutes. There are also very good motorway connections via the A27. It is a 45-minute drive to Gatwick Airport, and nearby Brighton City Airport has facilities for domestic and private flights.

Council Tax Band: C