Medina Way, Christchurch, BH23

There are houses close to the coast, and then there are homes where living by the sea simply becomes part of everyday life.

Tucked away in a quiet cul-de-sac in sought-after Friars Cliff, this much-loved four double bedroom family home has been enjoyed by the same family for around 14 years.

And it isn't difficult to understand why they have stayed.

Step outside with a towel over your shoulder and the beach is just a short walk away. Head one way along the coast towards Highcliffe Castle and Chewton Bunny, or the other towards Avon Beach and Mudeford, with the ferry across to Hengistbury Head opening up even more of the coastline.

The current owners actually waited around three and a half years for the right home to become available on Medina Way or neighbouring Freshwater Road before this one finally did.

The kitchen has been designed around the practicalities of everyday family life, with plenty of workspace and a layout that allows cooking, talking and spending time together to happen naturally. It looks across the rear garden too, making it easy to keep an eye on children playing outside.

The separate utility keeps laundry and household essentials out of the main living areas, while the adjoining reception spaces provide plenty of room for everyone to spread out.

The dining area has been the setting for everything from homework and everyday meals to large gatherings of family and friends, while the sitting room offers a comfortable space to come together at the end of the day. The owners have regularly entertained groups of up to 26 people here - a lovely indication of just how well the ground floor works when the house is full.

Upstairs are four double bedrooms, giving families that increasingly difficult-to-find luxury of not having a compromised fourth bedroom. The principal bedroom is particularly generous, with extensive fitted wardrobes and its own en suite, alongside the family bathroom.

To the rear is a wonderfully established south-west facing garden, enjoying the afternoon and evening sun while still offering areas of shade on warmer days.

Private and not overlooked, it has been carefully established over many years, with mature planting including honeysuckle, yew, cordyline and an impressive wisteria that runs along the side of the house.

Some of the best features of this home are the ones you only really appreciate once you live here. The garage provides excellent practical space, but tucked within it is something particularly useful for a coastal home - a shower.

After a morning at the beach, paddleboarding or walking the dog, sandy feet and wetsuits can be dealt with before coming back inside. It was added by the current owners specifically because trips to the beach are such a normal part of summer life here.

The house has also continued to evolve with the family. A Greenstar gas boiler and new water system were installed in 2023, a Zappi EV charger followed in 2025, and more recently a water softener, filtered and boiling-water Quooker tap, new kitchen sink and dishwasher were installed in September 2026.

For anyone working from home, Virgin Gig1 Fibre Broadband is already connected, while the loft has been freshly insulated and boarded, with architect-approved roof strengthening completed in 2022, providing useful additional storage.

Location is ultimately what makes this home particularly special.
Friars Cliff is one of this stretch of coastline's most sought-after residential areas, with Avon Beach, Friars Cliff Beach, Steamer Point and Highcliffe Castle all forming part of the wider neighbourhood.

From Medina Way, the owners' favourite walk takes them down to the sea before choosing between Highcliffe Castle and Chewton Bunny in one direction or Mudeford and Hengistbury Head in the other. Even their regular coffee stop is reached on foot via the walkway towards the beach.