The Old Vicarage, Kingsdown, Kent

This marvellous four-bedroom house affords spectacular views across the sea in Kingsdown, Kent. Built in 1908, this Edwardian villa has been sensitively updated by its current owners, while retaining period features such as original floorboards and neat architraves. Vast sliding doors in the kitchen open onto a private terrace with steps down towards the beach, while a first-floor balcony is apt for sea gazing. A large front garden is perfect for sitting out, and a Siberian larch-clad annexe provides guest accommodation. The shops, bars and restaurants of Deal are a short drive or cycle ride away.



The Tour



A shingled front garden filled with a variety of trees and shrubbery forms the approach to the house. A glazed front door opens onto a large entrance hall with original windows looking through the kitchen and towards the sea beyond.



A light-filled sitting room also has mesmerising views of the sea, framed by a full-height box bay window. A log burner sits in a fireplace alcove, and the floor is lined with original oak floorboards.



A voluminous kitchen sits adjacent. Sliding doors stretch across the exterior wall, opening onto a peaceful terrace that looks onto the sea. An L-shaped island is fitted with orange-panelled banquette seating, while smart cabinetry provides ample storage space. Appliances by Miele include two ovens, a microwave and a dishwasher, and there is underfloor heating. A separate utility room has stainless steel work surfaces, built-in joinery and an additional sink.



At the front of the house, a snug/TV room/music room has basket weave parquet flooring and French doors onto the front garden. On this floor there is also a large guest bedroom with a kitchenette, en suite shower room and its own private entrance.



The first floor is home to four well-appointed double bedrooms. The principal has a private balcony with glass balustrade and panoramic views of the coastline. It has a walk-in wardrobe, and an en suite bathroom with a slipper bathtub.



A second bedroom has a box bay window with sea views, while a third has an en suite bathroom. An additional double bedroom has a window seat and is currently used as a study, while a smaller room could be used as a single bedroom. There is a shared shower room with a walk-in shower.



An annexe clad in Siberian larch has an open-plan living space and kitchenette, double bedroom and shower room, and is suitable as guest accommodation.



Outdoor Space



At the front of the house, a large shingled front garden has borders filled with planting. There is ample room for outdoor dining, as well as a raised lawn and a garage. Tall hedging creates a sense of privacy.



To the rear, a private terrace has spectacular views of the sea. Steps cut into the cliff descend to a separate seating area surrounded by greenery, with direct access to the beach below.



A peaceful balcony on the first floor has elevated views of the coastline.



The Tour



Kingsdown is wonderfully located, bounded by coast and countryside. The house is a few minutes’ walk from the secluded beachfront, where long coastal and clifftop walks are readily accessible. An excellent pub lunch can be had at The Lantern in Martin Mill, while The Zetland Arms is a perfect spot for an evening drink. The Oxtale butchers is highly regarded for its meat and delicatessen. Deal is a three-mile cycle ride, with Walmer en route.



Hut 55 coffee shop is a local favourite, and has morning yoga and delicious takeaway picnics in the summer. Up the coast, the famed Deal Pier is the last fully intact leisure pier remaining in Kent, brought up to date by Niall McLaughlin’s intricate timber café. The Rose hotel is known for its excellent bar and restaurant, as is the Updown Farmhouse, a restaurant with rooms set in the surrounding countryside with a magical conservatory dining room. The Black Pig butchers and Jenkins & Son fishmongers are also noteworthy.



There are plenty of excellent schooling options in the area including the highly regarded Brewood Secondary School, Warden House Primary School and Ripplevale School.



Kingsdown, Dover and Canterbury are all easily accessed by car, via the A2 and A258. High-speed trains run from Deal to London St Pancras with a total journey time of 84 minutes, with alternative direct trains to London Charing Cross and London Bridge. Access to the continent is also excellent via the Port of Dover and the Channel Tunnel at Folkestone.