St Margarets Bay

A very special character period detached house situated in a truly exceptional location with superb, uninterrupted panoramic views over protected National Trust land to the Coast of France and the dramatic Ness Point White Cliff headland rising up from the bay.

Bantam Cottage, originally called 'Eastwood Ho' was constructed in 1890, one of the earliest houses built in 'The Bay' when the village became a popular destination for wealthy city dwellers taking advantage of the Riviera style location and the close proximity to France. In 1913 the house was leased to Henry Royce (of Rolls Royce * see reference), he had been suffering from ill health and was advised the fresh sea air would help his condition. Royce later moved to another house in the Bay, but his time in St Margarets was not wasted, it was here that he first worked on the design of the 'Eagle aero' engine which led to the development of the famous 'Merlin' engine used in the iconic Super Marine Spitfire, crucial in England's defence during World War 11. Amazingly Spitfires can be seen from the house doing aerobatics over the Bay.

You enter the house into an impressive double height galleried entrance hall. Facing you are glazed double doors into the dining room giving a view over the Channel. To your right are glazed double doors into the snug and a door into the living room with it's large bay giving panoramic views over the Channel and Headland. Glazed double doors open to the dining room ideal for entertaining. A passageway from the hall leads through to the kitchen and breakfast room with access to the useful cellar rooms. Also on the ground floor is a cloakroom, main bedroom with en-suite shower room and door into a sunroom. A wide staircase leads to a galleried landing and access to the four double bedrooms, two with uninterrupted panoramic views over the Channel and Headland. Bedroom one has an en-suite shower room and walk in wardrobe. There is also a large family bathroom and room off bedroom 2 with potential to create an additional en-suite.

The gardens are a particular feature of the property. From Granville Road steps lead down to the house, high hedging together with a variety of established shrubs and trees screens the house. To the south side is a large level lawn with borders stocked with a variety of plants and shrubs, mature trees and flower borders. The view from the lawn over the Channel & Headland is breathtaking. A paved terrace runs the full width of the house and, screened from the road by hedging, it has breathtaking views across the Bay and Headland.

The village of St Margaret's at Cliffe offers newsagents/general store, post office, doctor's surgery with pharmacy, primary school (Ofsted rated as 'outstanding'), 2 pubs, The Smugglers and The Coastguard (located on the beach) together with a café/bar, churches and two riding stables. The Bay itself is sheltered for bathing, fishing, sailing etc. The cliff top to either side of The Bay is mainly in the care of the National Trust and offers some delightful walks. There are golf courses at nearby Kingsdown and Deal with St George's at Sandwich (venue of the British Open). The award-winning seaside town of Deal (4 miles) offers a good range of small boutique style shops, a Saturday market and a selection of restaurants, bars and pubs. The Cathedral City of Canterbury offers an excellent shopping centre together with leisure interest, theatres, and county cricket. Excellent links to the continent via the Port of Dover the Channel Tunnel and Eurostar from London (St Pancras), 75 minutes from Martin Mill station (approx. 2 miles).

Accommodation comprises;

Glazed double doors to:

ENTRANCE PORCH
Quary tiled floor glazed panelled door with decorative wrought iron grill and matching side panels.

GALLERIED ENTRANCE HALL
A most impressive entrance to the house. Painted wall panelling, 3 double radiators.

LIVING ROOM opening into the 'Bay Room'.
Double aspect with superb uninterrupted panoramic view over the Bay to the coast of France and over the side garden. Fireplace with gas fire coal effect fire, arched bookshelves to recess, 5 double radiators, glazed door to garden. Glazed double doors to:

DINING ROOM
Beautiful view over the bay framed by the veranda gable. Fireplace with Delft style tiles, 2 double radiators, half glazed door to garden. Double doors to hall.

From hall, double glazed doors to;

SNUG
Limestone fireplace with coal effect gas fire. View over and door to side garden, bookshelves.

From hall
Galleried hall with coats hanging space.

CLOAKROOM
W.C. handbasin, radiator, tiled floor and half tiled walls.

BREAKFAST ROOM
Built in dresser and cupboards (one housing hot water cylinder), radiator, terracotta tiled floor, opening to;

KITCHEN
Fitted with a range of cream painted floor and wall cupboards with granite effect worksurfaces. Inset double bowl stainless steel sink, 5 ring ceramic hob, built-in stainless-steel oven and microwave. Integrated fridge/freezer and dishwasher, built in washing machine and tumble dryer, double radiator. Terracotta tiled floor, radiator, door to outside.

MAIN BEDROOM
Bay window with lovely view over the Channel, range of built in wardrobes to one wall, 2 double radiators, door to en-suite shower room and;

SUNROOM
Quary tiled floor, radiator, double doors to garden.

EN-SUITE SHOWER ROOM
Corner shower cubicle with curved sliding glazed doors, WC, hand basin, radiator, Limestone effect floor and wall tiling.

From breakfast room, door to:

CELLAR
Comprising 2 storerooms and a wine cellar, good head height throughout, ideal workshop, playroom/cinema room.

FIRST FLOOR

GALLERIED LANDING
Radiator, leaded glass window, 2 wall light points and 3 useful storage cupboards.

BEDROOM 1
Superb view over the Bay, Channel and Headland. Double radiator, hanging cupboard, 2 wall light points, walk in wardrobe, radiator.

EN-SUITE SHOWER ROOM
Corner shower cubicle, WC, hand basin, radiator, 2 wall light points, tiled floor and walls.

From landing short flight of stairs up to:

BEDROOM 2
Double aspect with superb views over the Bay, Channel and Headland. Double radiator, double doors to walk in storeroom with Velux window, potential to create en-suite.

BEDROOM 3
Double radiator, cupboard housing 'Worcester' wall mounted gas boiler.

BEDROOM 4
Double radiator.

FAMILY BATHROOM
Large bath with handheld spray attachment, double width shower cubicle, hand basin, WC, double radiator. Fully tiled walls and floor, 2 wall light points.

OUTSIDE
Detached garage, electric door, light and power.

GARDENS
The property enjoys a double road frontage with gates and steps from both Granville and Hotel roads. To the rear of the house is a range of four brick-built storerooms/tool sheds. On the seaward side a large, paved terrace runs the full width of the house, this commands a superb, uninterrupted panoramic view over the Channel to the coast of France together with a dramatic view of the Bay and Headland. To the south of the house is a large level lawn with borders stocked with established plants/shrubs and specimen trees including several pine trees completing the 'Riviera' feel to the exceptional view.


*When Rolls and Royce Made History on Dover's White Cliffs.


COUNCIL TAX BAND: G
PLEASE NOTE THE VARIOUS APPLIANCES AND SERVICES HAVE NOT BEEN TESTED BY MARSHALL & CLARKE.
MAINS GAS, ELECTRICITY, WATER AND DRAINAGE.
SM1434