Marine Parade, Leigh-on-sea SS9

A unique and imposing seafront residence offering stunning views of Leigh to the Pier, Hadleigh Bay and the Estuary, offering walking paths through cliff gardens directly to Leigh on Sea railway station and Old Leigh.  Located in an enviable setting on Marine Parade, this iconic residence with its turreted rooms and balcony offering extensive sea views, offers unique architectural charm with potential to re-style.  There is gated parking off Herschell Road and a garden area to the front to sit and enjoy the open views.

The property has private gated access either pedestrian or vehicular access via timber gates into a gravelled parking/seating area.  Step inside White Horses and the interior has many original features with high ceilings, ornate coving, architrave and ornate ceiling plasterwork.  The entrance hallway features panelled walls and the original balustrade staircase to the first floor.  To one side is the modern recently fitted kitchen with built-in oven, hob, extractor, further space for appliances and a heated towel rail - there is a door to outside which is accessible from the parking/seating areas.  There are two traditionally styled reception rooms featuring stunning original stained glass windows.  The dining room features a bay window with an open fireplace, leading through to the main living/reception room with bay window to Marine Parade and the lower heptagonal window of the turret affording open views across the cliff gardens to the Estuary.  This room features the muted decor sympathetic with its former owners with a cosy original fireplace (log and coal) and an original stained glass feature door proudly displaying a peacock.  To the first floor the principal bedroom includes the upper part of the turret and an enclosed balcony affording far reaching views - the balcony has the potential to be opened up to an open air viewing balcony. This spacious bedroom features its own free standing bath on a raised plinth and wash hand basin providing potential to separate off as an en-suite.  Bedroom two is adjacent with bay window and storage cupboard.  Bedroom three is at the far end with feature window and the main fully tiled bathroom with heated towel rail completes the first floor accommodation.  The property could be further adapted (subject to planning and building regulations) to allow for a fourth bedroom within the loft space due to its size and structure.

Step outside and a low wall surrounds the gardens which are well stocked with established planting suitable for the coastal setting, together with well tended lawn and flower beds.  The gravelled area could suit one parking space to the rear of the property and can also be used for private outdoor seating, together with a raised patio area.  There is potential for two further parking spaces to the front, subject to permission.  Architectural features include terracotta scalloped hanging tiles to the turret with a round pantiled roof with weathervane, together with feature herringbone brickwork forming part of the balcony.

Owner's note: The house was originally built for a Sea Captain who left for sea, leaving his Architect to have free reign, hence the ornate features - the Sea Captain never returned.  Thereafter two sisters, believed to be Suffragettes, owned the house, their maid's bell box still evident in the hallway.  The decor colours in the main reception room, lavender and green make reference to the Suffragettes (purple stood for loyalty and dignity, white for purity and green for hope) and are seen in the Laura Ashley lavender wallpaper in the lounge.  The ceilings are made from pressed metal and the turret is an unusual heptagonal shape.  "My parents loved this house and I was born here, the house having been in our family for 70 years".

Located along the Esplanade, you can walk across the cliff gardens to Old Leigh where you can see the old cockle sheds and the fishing boats in Leigh Creek.  With unique character and charm enjoyed by many visitors, Old Leigh has renowned pubs and restaurants together with a choice of shops in Leigh on Sea include boutiques, galleries, welcoming cafes and independent eateries.  The property is within Leigh Schools catchment area.  Leigh railway station, which is an easy walk from the property, offers C2C services directly into London Fenchurch Street (approx. 45 minutes).  London Southend Airport is just a 15 minute drive.