Sea View Terrace, Margate, Kent

Moments from Margate's seafront, this beautiful house is part of a Grade II-listed Italianate terrace built in 1872. It was carefully restored by Leask Architecture in collaboration with Ally Interiors, and has been the subject of several editorial features, including in Living Etc. and The Telegraph. Expansive and bright living spaces flow into a south-easterly rear garden with plenty of space to grow and dine outdoors. There are six bedrooms: four lie on the upper levels of the house, including a principal suite with incredible sea views, with an additional two in an annexe on the lower ground floor. Margate's celebrated centre and its railway station are close by; the latter runs quick services to London and along the Kentish coast.



The Tour



The building's lower levels are finished with a stuccoed frontage, while its upper storeys have smart brickwork, stone window surrounds and a wrought-iron balcony. Steps ascend to the front door, framed by a grand doorcase with a column on each side.



On entry, a porch area with a reeded glass door opens to reveal a welcoming entrance hall. Dinesen Douglas fir flooring sweeps into a vast open-plan space with two sitting areas, a dining area and a kitchen. The front reception area has ornate cornicing and a sublime bay window that faces the sea. There are cast-iron fireplaces with marble surrounds in both sitting spaces.



The kitchen and dining area is flooded with light from full-height Crittall-style doors that open onto the garden beyond. A ribbon of glazing inset into the ceiling is positioned above the dining area, which has built-in Douglas fir bench seating. Smart black kitchen units are complemented by green terrazzo work surfaces and a matching splashback. Opposite is an island with an integrated sink with black fittings. There is a handy utility room on this floor, and a guest WC is drenched in a rich plum hue.



A painted timber staircase with a mahogany handrail ascends to the first floor, where there are two bedrooms and a separate shower room. The principal bedroom suite is at the front of the plan; it has a set of French doors that swing open onto a balcony with bench seating, giving way to sweeping sea views and sunsets. A freestanding bathtub is positioned to take in views of the coastline, and there is a grand fireplace on one side. Through a curved archway is a dressing room, with a pristine en suite shower room beyond.



At the front of the top floor are an additional bedroom and an office, both with elevated sea views. There is another bedroom at the rear, and a bright bathroom with a freestanding bathtub, a separate walk-in shower, a deep roof light and underfloor heating.



There is a generous two-bedroom apartment on the lower ground floor, connected via stairs to the main house and with a private entrance. Its open-plan kitchen and living room are finished in the same style as the primary kitchen above. It has two bedrooms, a shower room, and a separate WC.



Outdoor Space



A peaceful garden unfolds at the rear of the house, with both decked and brick-paved areas. There is ample room for outdoor dining and entertaining. Its borders are filled with greenery, including lush green ferns and a mature pear tree. From here, the kitchen extension’s impressive rear elevation can be admired, its exterior adorned with white metro tiles.



The Area



Margate's seafront is just in front of the house; here, a community sauna is a particularly beloved haunt. The town centre is also close and is synonymous with its creative community, exemplified by galleries like Turner Contemporary, Carl Freedman Gallery and The Tracey Emin Foundation/TKE Studios.



Margate's Old Town is host to some excellent restaurants, including Angela’s, a sustainable seafood bistro and its fun-loving sister Dory‘s; Sargasso, Angela's sister spot, is a fantastic wine bar with a seasonally changing menu, and the family-run Bottega Caruso is known for its Italian fare. Other culinary highlights include the International Food Centre, Oast bakery and the monthly farmers' market.



For live music, Where Else is a highly regarded music venue. Margate is also the setting of Dreamland, a vintage theme park with rides, musical events and a drive-in cinema. It also runs a rich and celebrated musical programme throughout the summer season. Don’t Miss Margate is a go-to for discovering local events. The Carlton in Westgate is a family-run cinema showing a mix of blockbuster and independent films across three screens.



Margate is home to many independent shops such as Werkhaus, the Margate Bookshop and the Margate-born sustainable beauty brand People Care. Planet Care. There is a plethora of walking routes, such as the Viking Coastal Trail, an eight-mile trail that links the towns of Ramsgate, Broadstairs and Margate along Kent’s cliffs and beaches.



The nearby coastal towns of Broadstairs and Ramsgate are also well known for their array of pubs, restaurants, and independent shops, as are Herne Bay and Whitstable, which are just slightly further afield.



There are several excellent schooling options in the area, including Holy Trinity and St John’s Church of England Primary, Cliftonville Primary and Cherry Tree school.



The town has excellent links to London. Margate rail station is a seven-minute walk from the house, with trains to London St Pancras in under 90 minutes or London Victoria in around 95 minutes. There are trains to Canterbury every 30 minutes. Connections to Europe are also very good, with the Eurotunnel running to Calais from Folkestone.



Council Tax Band: D