Shoebury Road, Thorpe Bay, Essex

A sleek, streamlined profile defines this three-bedroom house, built in 1965 and located in the Thorpe Bay area of Southend-on-Sea. Inside, contemporary but complementary materials like cork, plywood and terrazzo have been added alongside original woodblock floors and other original details. There is a garden in the front, where a cluster of palm trees and yuccas lends a West Coast feel, along with a neat patio garden that extends from the open-plan living space. Thorpe Bay train station is a short walk away and runs direct services to London Fenchurch Street in an hour.



The Tour



The house occupies a corner position on a quiet residential street, formerly the site of a church. Behind a front garden planted with mature palms and yuccas, are street-facing elevations of buff brickwork and ashlar masonry topped with flat and mono-pitched roofs.



A panelled front door flanked by tall, reeded-glass windows opens to a spacious entrance porch with tiled floors and limewashed walls. There is plenty of space for kicking off shoes and keeping coats and jackets. There is also a door to a neatly concealed WC here.



Beyond the entrance porch, behind a screen of Crittall-style glazing, is a large, open-plan kitchen, living and dining room, arranged in an L-shape. The living area is to the front of the plan, with original woodblock flooring laid in a basketweave pattern and a bank of large, south-facing windows with aluminium frames. There is an electric fireplace.



The kitchen is at the other end of the room, with dual-aspect windows overlooking the patio. Cream-coloured cabinets wraps around the space and a four-ring electric hob; there is also an integrated oven and grill, a pair of stainless-steel sinks and a wine fridge.



The dining area is in the heart of the room, with plenty of space for a large dining table and chairs. From here, bifolding doors open to an enclosed east-facing patio, forging a strong connection between inside and outside.



A central hall with soaring ceilings and a plane of south-facing clerestory windows connects the open-plan living space with three double bedrooms and a shared bathroom.



The primary bedroom is at the end of the hall. The room is defined by a curved edge with a sweeping bank of casement windows, allowing natural light to flood the space throughout the day. Woodblock flooring runs underfoot, and the walls are finished with a lime render. It has a recently refinished en suite shower room with terrazzo tiles, a stone basin on top of a teak cabinet and a walk-in rain-style shower with brushed-brass fixtures. Light pours through a roof light above the shower.



To the rear of the plan are two further bedrooms. One has original woodblock flooring and a window looking out to the patio garden. The other has cork flooring, built-in plywood wardrobes, aluminium-framed windows and a panel of glass blocks that beckon in a soft light.



An homage to the mid-century's endearingly bold use of colour, the shared bathroom is finished with a turquoise suite and matching square tiles. There is a useful built-in cupboard for storing towels and linen.



Outdoor Space



On the east side of the house is a patio garden with brick and concrete block walls covered in climbing ivy. A pergola creates a quiet spot for unwinding with a coffee or reading. In one corner, there is a garden room which would work well as a studio space or a reading room.



There are two driveways providing parking for several cars, one at the front of the house and one at the side. Garage doors open to a space large enough for storage or a workshop.



The Area



The sought-after area of Thorpe Bay is characterised by leafy avenues lined with lovingly-maintained gardens. Thorpe Bay Broadway is a short walk away from the house, with a bustling local high street offering plenty of independent shops, restaurants, and cafes. Local favourites include Italian restaurant Eatalia, Vino Vero bottle shop, and Since Kitchen and Bar.



There are also some wonderful spots in Southend-on-Sea, 10 minutes away, including The Mews, Craftwerk and Sababa. Leigh-on-Sea, a 20-minute drive away, has gained a reputation for its independent scene: favourites here include Corner Club, Tutti and Alchemy.



Sailing and water sports are popular in the region, and the local dog-friendly beach is a short 20-minute walk from the house. A gym with a swimming pool is also on the home's doorstep, while further fitness facilities are three minutes' drive away in Garon Park, including tennis courts and a golf course. There is a second golf course, Thorpe Hall, easily accessible in the town centre.



The Gunners Park and Shoebury Ranges Nature Reserve is within easy access and ideal for exploring the local wildlife and coastal landscape. It is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and, due to its proximity to the Thames Estuary, provides the ideal habitat for migrating birds on passage to and from the UK, including ring ouzel, spotted flycatcher, wheatear, whinchat and even yellow-browed warbler.



The house is close to Bournes Green Primary School, Thorpe Hall, and Alleyn Court Preparatory School. There are several grammar schools in the area, including Southend High School for Boys and Girls.



The railway station is a 10-minute walk away, with direct routes reaching London Fenchurch Street in just under an hour. Southend Airport can be reached in around 15 minutes by car.



Council Tax Band: E