High Street, Leigh-on-Sea

The Old Custom House, Old Leigh

A Remarkable Home By The Water

Standing opposite Strand Wharf in the heart of Old Leigh, The Old Custom House is a home of genuine historical significance. Built in 1815, its character is inseparable from the waterfront setting and the maritime story of the village around it.

Today, this beautifully restored house offers almost 2,000 sq. ft. of furnished accommodation arranged across three floors. Original details sit alongside carefully considered contemporary finishes, creating a home that feels rich in history yet entirely suited to modern life.

From sash windows and working fireplaces to a bespoke kitchen and private sauna, every floor reveals something memorable. Sea views accompany many of the principal rooms, bringing the movement, light and changing colours of the estuary into everyday life.

An Entrance With A Story

Traditional wooden doors open into an enclosed entrance courtyard, creating an atmospheric and practical introduction to the house. Its brick flooring, exposed beams and built-in seating reflect the character of the building, while concealed storage provides space for the essentials of life beside the coast.

French doors at the rear lead into the garden, allowing the courtyard to act as a natural connection between the house and its outdoor spaces.

The entrance hall continues the traditional feel, with hardwood flooring, a ceiling rose and a timber staircase finished with a carpet runner. Access to a cellar and storage area adds another useful dimension to the home.

Two of the four double bedrooms are positioned on this floor. The front bedroom is a wonderfully characterful room, with shuttered sash windows, decorative cornicing, picture rails and an exposed brick fireplace. Views towards the estuary provide an immediate reminder of the home's exceptional setting.

The rear bedroom offers flexibility for guests, family life or working from home. Its present arrangement also lends itself naturally to use as a gym or private study.

A utility and storage room sits alongside, with plumbing for a washing machine and useful shelving. A beautifully finished shower room completes the ground floor, featuring a generous walk-in rainfall shower.

Living Above The Estuary

The first floor forms the social heart of the house. Here, the elevation places the waterfront firmly within view and gives the reception rooms a wonderful sense of connection with Old Leigh.

The lounge is generous and inviting, with hardwood flooring, an elegant working fireplace and a broad sash window overlooking the water. Traditional detailing, including a ceiling rose, dado rail and cornicing, has been retained with care.

Comfortable furnishings make this a room ready to enjoy from the moment you arrive. In winter, the fireplace provides a natural focus, while warmer days bring sunlight and estuary views through the window.

The adjoining dining room carries the same sense of character, with another fireplace and sash window facing the sea. It provides a distinctive setting for dinner with friends, long Sunday lunches or quieter evenings at home.

Double doors connect the dining room with an impressive open-plan kitchen extending to more than 25 feet. Bespoke cabinetry is paired with quartz worktops and a solid wood breakfast bar, combining craftsmanship with generous preparation and storage space.

High-quality appliances include two integrated Neff ovens, a Siemens dishwasher and a Bora induction hob with an integrated extractor. A concealed fridge freezer and extensive cupboards complete a kitchen designed for people who enjoy cooking as much as gathering around the table.

A second shower room is positioned just off the kitchen. Its greatest surprise is a private wooden sauna, bringing an indulgent element to daily life and providing a particularly welcome retreat after a winter walk along the estuary.

Peaceful Rooms At The Top

The upper floor contains two further double bedrooms, both notable for their scale and outlook. Roof windows frame elevated views towards the water, bringing natural light into rooms that feel peaceful and private.

Eaves cupboards provide extensive storage without intruding on the sleeping space. A further large store or walk-in wardrobe offers additional flexibility, particularly valuable within a furnished home.

Across all four bedrooms, the arrangement provides several possibilities. The house can comfortably accommodate a family, visiting guests and dedicated home-working space without asking one room to perform every role.

A Private Outdoor Retreat

The courtyard garden offers a sheltered place to sit outside, surrounded by mature shrubs and planted borders. Brick paving continues the historic tone of the house, while external lighting and power make the space practical as well as attractive.

It is a charming contrast to the lively waterfront beyond. Morning coffee, summer suppers and quiet evenings can all be enjoyed here, tucked away from the activity of the High Street.

Old Leigh At Your Door

Few addresses place you closer to the life and character of Old Leigh. Traditional pubs, independent cafés, seafood stalls and restaurants line the surrounding lanes, while fishing boats and sailing vessels animate the waterfront.

The foreshore, Cinder Path and nearby nature reserves offer beautiful walking routes, with the landscape shifting continually according to the tide. Leigh Broadway is also within easy reach for boutiques, food shops and further places to eat.

Leigh-on-Sea station is a short walk away, providing direct rail services into London Fenchurch Street. It is a location that makes commuting entirely practical, while allowing evenings and weekends to unfold beside the water.

Offered furnished, The Old Custom House presents an exceptional opportunity to live within one of Old Leigh's most distinctive homes. It is a place where history is not simply preserved, but woven naturally into contemporary coastal life.

Council Tax Band: C
Holding Deposit: £692.30