Hawley Square, Margate, Kent

This immaculate four-bedroom Georgian townhouse lies in a quiet position on Margate’s ever-popular Hawley Square. It has been masterfully renovated in recent years, blending mid-century inspiration with the home’s period fabric across its five sweeping storeys. At the rear is a carefully created garden, planted with an almost entirely edible abundance of fruit trees and vegetables. Nestled between the beach, Old Town and the station, the house is perfectly placed to make the most of Margate’s brilliance.



The Building



Hawley Square was laid out in the late 18th century, concurrent with Margate’s growth as a popular seaside resort. It was named after the Hawley family, local landowners, and was designed as a collection of elegant houses surrounding a central garden square.



Grade II-listed, this house was constructed in the late 18th century. It has a striking frontage quintessential of the period, with tall sash windows, wrought-iron railings to the ground and first floors, and a door set beneath a semicircular fanlight. Its period integrity was upheld during a meticulous renovation undertaken by the current owners' practice, Leask Architecture & Studio Thomas. Original features were retained and paired sensitively with newer interventions, including high-quality appliances and bespoke joinery.



The Tour



Painted in a calming architectural grey (Manor House Gray by Farrow & Ball) with white woodwork and grounded with the original and refurbished floorboards the entrance hall makes a subtly grand first impression. It provides access to the double reception room at the front of the plan, where a six-over-six sash window with wide margins draws in abundant light. Sage-green paint (Treron by Farrow & Ball) has been applied to the walls and to the bespoke storage fitted into the alcoves on either side of a reclaimed fireplace surround. Folding doors open onto the second reception room, which has another period fireplace and a window overlooking the garden.



Meticulously refurbished wooden stairs descend to the lower-ground floor. The dining room and kitchen occupy this level, with French doors opening at both the front and rear. In the dining area, a charcoal-painted wall (Railings by Farrow & Ball) lends a calming atmosphere and pairs elegantly with the Danish Petersen brick floor, laid above underfloor heating.



The kitchen has wonderful bespoke cabinetry running along one side, arranged above and below a Lowinfo bespoke concrete worktop. An Aga sits at the centre of the units, while a timber island occupies the middle of the room. Other appliances are integrated and include a Fisher & Paykel fridge/freezer and dishwasher by Miele. A separate pantry to one side provides space for food and crockery storage and the like.



Stairs with a beautiful tartan runner ascend from the ground floor up to the upper floors. The principal suite occupies the entirety of the first floor. The sleeping quarters are at the front, lit by almost floor-to-ceiling French doors that open onto a romantic wrought-iron balcony. Here, the home’s mid-century sensibilities are especially palpable. Tall oak-veneered wardrobes have been fitted along one wall, providing generous storage space. The room’s en suite bathroom is luxuriously finished with a fresh decorative scheme and CP Hart fittings, including a roll-top bathtub positioned beneath a garden-facing sash window.



There are three further bedrooms across the second and third floors, all with similarly refined colour palettes and views across either the garden or the square. The top-floor rooms are framed by exposed beams overhead. A separate bathroom has been carefully appointed with a walk-in shower, butt-and-bead panelling and allows access to a dedicated

utility room via a ‘secret’ door.



Outdoor Space



A generous courtyard garden extends from the rear of the house. Brick walls create an enhanced sense of privacy, complemented by mature fruit trees including fig, plum, lemon, apricot, cherry, pear and apple. There are also deep beds used to grow soft fruits, vegetables and herbs. The upper level of the garden is laid with brick, creating a wonderful spot for outdoor dining.



The Area



The seaside town of Margate is renowned for its creative community, exemplified by Turner Contemporary, designed by architect David Chipperfield. The gallery is a brilliant arts space with far-reaching sea views, named after landscape painter J. M. W. Turner, who attended school in Margate and described its skies and sunsets as "the loveliest in Europe". Further bolstering Margate’s thriving artistic scene are Carl Freedman Gallery and The Tracey Emin Foundation/TKE Studios.



Margate seafront is a brief walk from the house and is home to a wonderful community sauna. There are also several green spaces nearby, including Hawley Square and Dane Park. The Kent Coast Path, which connects Margate and Ramsgate, provides a wonderful way to spend a bright afternoon.



Margate Old Town is home to an excellent collection of restaurants, including Angela’s, a sustainable seafood bistro; Pomus, a well-loved local wine bar; Sargasso, a celebrated restaurant and wine bar with a seasonally changing menu on Margate Harbour Arm; and the family-run Bottega Caruso, known for its homemade Italian cuisine. For keen cooks, further culinary highlights include the International Food Centre, Oast Bakery and the monthly farmers' market.



The town has excellent connections to London. Margate station has regular services to London St Pancras in under 90 minutes and to London Victoria in around 95 minutes. There are also trains to Canterbury every 30 minutes. Connections to Europe are excellent, with the Eurotunnel linking Folkestone and Calais.



Council Tax Band: D