Royal William Square, Camber, East Sussex

Positioned in a quiet spot behind the dunes of Camber Sands Beach, this carefully designed house embodies a commitment to sustainability. The terrace it sits within forms part of the Royal William Square estate, which was built to a design by Knox Bhavan Architects. Spanning four floors, the house engages with its natural surroundings by way of two balconies, one terrace and a patio. There is off-street parking directly in front of the house, as well as as designated parking space in the private carpark.

The Architect

The widely celebrated and award-winning practice Knox Bhavan Architects have completed a range of remarkable built work, including bespoke houses, residential projects, public buildings, and historic conservation projects. With a deep appreciation for materials, simplicity of form, and environmental sensitivity, their designs demonstrate meticulous attention to detail and craftsmanship.

Their Royal William Square development was completed in 2007 and comprises 20 homes surrounding a communal, dune-inspired garden.

Environmental Performance

Environmental performance was of particular concern when designing the house. A Bauder Green Roof System has been installed on the flat roof and planted with sedum, and there are double-glazed timber doors and windows throughout. A communal ground-source heat pump services the underfloor heating system of each house, with individual thermostatic room controls, while a solar thermal panel provides hot water to a Vaillant system, topped up by an electric heater on overcast days.

The Tour

A cylindrical prism, painted in a selection of soothing pastel shades, divides each house, and contains a storage area, EV-charging point and the front door. The ground-floor façade is slightly inset, and a large oak-framed window with vertical mullions forms the entrance and porch. Cedar shingles adorn the upper portion of this elevation, while the rear of the house, facing the communal garden, is finished in a white render. Its end-of-terrace position makes this house particularly bright and airy.

The front door opens into a hallway, adjacent to a recently renovated kitchen. This has been finished with a tiled backsplash and navy cabinetry, and has plenty of space for a dining area. Timber flooring seamlessly transitions into a living area situated at the rear of the plan, which is home to a log-burning stove. A glazed door opens onto a shaded patio, directly connected to the communal gardens.

The first floor is home to a double bedroom with a well-conceived en suite bathroom. French doors connect the bedroom to a generously proportioned east-facing terrace that spans the width of the house. The terrace overlooks the communal gardens and provides access to it, via a flight of steps. The second floor also has a double bedroom with access to a small balcony.

The house is crowned by the top-floor principal bedroom suite, with a contemporary walk-in shower room and a balcony that sits immersed in the surrounding greenery.

The Area

The house is situated within rare proximity of Camber Sands, a stunning five-mile stretch of unspoilt sandy beach located in East Sussex, close to the border with Kent. It has one of the purest and longest dune systems on the south coast, and the only one to be found in East Sussex. Camber sits on the edge of Romney Marsh, dubbed The Fifth Continent by the 19th-century author of The Ingoldsby Legends for its natural beauty, diverse habitats, extensive coastline and rich history.

In the immediate area is the famous Rye Golf Club links course and Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, which lies within a large triangle of land extending south from Rye, along the River Rother, past Rye Harbour to the sea, westward to Winchelsea Beach and northwards along the River Brede. Camber Sands and Greatstone are also considered to be among the best and most popular kitesurfing and windsurfing beaches on the south and east coasts. Within three minutes’ walk from the house the excellent Gallivant, a well-regarded dune-side restaurant with bar, beach-huts and rooms. The Owl Pub and Grill is also a brilliant local spot.

The historic town of Rye is approximately three miles away and has a wide range of local shops, pubs, and restaurants. It can also be accessed via an off-road cycle route from Camber, taking around 20 minutes. Rye has a wealth of brilliant offerings, from Kino, an independent local cinema, to the original branch of Knoops. The George is a delightful Georgian building with rooms and a restaurant and there is an excellent range of produce available at Rye Fish Market and Seafood Bar. We've written more about our recommendations in Rye in our Journal.

A plethora of English wineries are nearby; many host wine tasting sessions across their vineyards. Chapeldown, Charles Palmer, Rathfinny, Ridgeview and Tillingham among these - some of which have their own delectable on-site restaurants. Dungeness is a short drive away; here, the Snack Shack and Derek Jarman's inimitable Prospect Cottage are well worth a visit.

Rye train station is approximately a 10-minute drive away, with services to London St Pancras via Ashford International high-speed line (about 20 miles north), taking around an hour.

Council Tax Band: D

Service Charge: Approx. £1,620 per annum. (includes the cost of the underfloor heating, a gardener, sinking fund)