Trafalgar Cottage, Kingsdown, Kent

Dating to 1850, this early Victorian fisherman’s cottage sits in an expansive beach-side corner plot in the Kingsdown Conservation Area near Deal. The house has three bedrooms, a separate studio, and a serene walled garden with private parking. The interiors reflect the coastal narrative and give way to balconies with sea views that, on a clear day, stretch as far as the French coastline. High-speed trains run from nearby Walmer station to London St Pancras in around 90 minutes, with alternative connections to London Charing Cross and London Bridge.

Once lived in by the present owners, the home is now used as a successful holiday let; more information can be provided on request. 

Setting the Scene 

During the dissolution of the monasteries, Henry VIII granted Kingsdown to Sir Thomas Cheney, Sheriff of Kent. It was then sold to Sir Thomas Finch in 1558 and, after his death, passed on to his successors. The heart of the village was developed in the 1600s and 1700s, with small cottages - predominantly occupied by farm workers - surrounding what is now the King’s Head pub on Upper Street.  

Trafalgar Cottage is one of the houses that line the north and south roads, which were built by the Monins family, Lords of the Manor of Ringwould, for the fishing community. These houses were essential to the success of Kingsdown as a fishing area and, together with the series of iconic fishermen’s huts that line the beach, they signal Kingsdown’s rich piscatorial heritage.  

The Grand Tour 

The house lies at the end of a track towards the sea, with views of the wooden rowing boats and fishermen’s huts that pepper the beach. Entry is via a private gate to the side of the building.

Entry is to a blush-toned living room, where an open fireplace with alcove shelving on either side provides a visual centrepoint. The space is bright, with painted wooden floorboards underfoot and shore-facing French doors that draw in an easterly light.

The dining room lies beyond, with bespoke cabinetry tucked under the stairs along one wall. A metallic-painted? fireplace stands at the far end, with French doors opposite leading directly to the garden. The crisp neutral palette of whites is befittingly fresh for the house's serene beachside setting.  

A perfectly formed U-shaped kitchen draws in daylight from the skylight above. Integrated appliances make for ease of use and white cabinetry is met with an aquamarine/turquoise composite(?) countertop, reminiscent of 1960s design. X appliances are integrated for a seamless finish.  

The main bedroom is on the ground floor in the northern wing, with an overarching vaulted ceiling and painted timber beams, echoing the area’s marine history. A roll-top bath stands to one side, with a WC beyond. French doors open directly onto garden decking; when left open, fresh sea air is allowed to circulate the space.  

Two further en suite bedrooms lie on the first floor, at the top of sisal-wrapped stairs. Both bedrooms have direct access onto the east-facing balcony, capitalising on the glorious, undisturbed sunrises.

The first of the rooms is panelled and drenched in rich X blue; a connecting washroom is complete with a shower-over-bath.  The other bedroom has a connecting bathroom tucked above on the second floor, in a panelled loft space with caged nautical wall lighting. The roll-top bath is set beneath a window overlooking the sea – an ideal spot for watching the fishing boats moor.  

A studio set on the ground floor - currently used as another bedroom in the warmer months - has beautiful wood panelling and a beamed, vaulted ceiling with porthole windows as well as its own WC.  

The Great Outdoors 

The private garden is an inherently sociable space and is directly accessible from most of the ground floor. It strikes the perfect balance of shelter from coastal breeze while operating as an expansive sun-trap; there’s an area for barbecues alongside a fireplace, as well as various decked sections for outdoor dining. A wooden wagon with steps leading up is positioned at one end – the ideal hideout for playful minds.  

At the foot of the gated garden lies a shingle beach that stretches along the coast northwards past the Walmer and Deal castles, and towards the cliffs of Dover to the south.  

Out and About 

Set at the northern end of the White Cliffs of Dover, Kingsdown can be reached on foot from Dover and St Margaret's Bay via a scenic coastal path that forms part of the Saxon Shore Way.

Despite the village’s modest size, Kingsdown bares home to all the necessary daily amenities - a convenience store, post office, butcher, three pubs and a highly regarded primary school are all within walking distance. On the seafront, the recently refurbished Zetland Arms is a minute’s walk from the house and serves a seasonal menu with views over the English Channel. The Walmer and Kingsdown Golf Club has a popular course just a mile from the house and there is a well-known sea-kayaking point from Oldstairs Bay at the south end of the beach. 

The centre of Deal is a 10-minute drive from Trafalgar Cottage; it can also be reached by a connecting footpath. The town is well known for its excellent culinary scene: The Rose Hotel offers stylish rooms and an award-winning restaurant, while bistro-style Frog and Scot and its sister wine-bar, Le Pinardier, are just down the road. Merchant of Relish, The Black Pig and Jenkins and Sons are the go-to for groceries, meat and fish respectively, but for local produce, there is also a fantastic Saturday farmers’ market. Dunlin and Diver sells beautiful gifts and accessories, while Old Coves and Mileage are great for furniture. The popular Updown farmhouse lies a few miles inland serving Modern European cuisine in a 17th century former farmstead and has rooms available for overnight stays. 

There is a great deal to explore along this part of the Kentish coast, including Dover’s White Cliffs and a National Trust-managed lighthouse, both to the south of the house. Plenty of walks are to be found in and around the Kent Downs National Landscape (AONB), which lies to the west of the house. 

Sandwich, Dover and Canterbury are easily accessed by car via the A2 and A258. High-speed trains run from Walmer to London St Pancras with a total journey time of 90 minutes, with alternative direct trains to London Charing Cross and London Bridge. Access to the continent is also excellent via the Port of Dover, the Channel Tunnel at Folkestone and Eurostar from Ashford International.   

Council Tax Band: D