Details have been meticulously considered, from generous open shelving to a light-amplifying paint palette
Details have been meticulously considered, from generous open shelving to a light-amplifying paint palette
Situated in wonderful Walmer, located to the south of Deal, Kent, this three-bedroom Victorian house has been appointed in serene shades befitting of its coastal location. Clever contemporary additions, including a pristine kitchen and a smart bathroom, have been integrated seamlessly between the home’s period bones. At the rear, french doors open to a neat south-facing garden, which is home to fragrant lavender, a tall olivetree and a sunshine-yellow shed. Station Road is also excellently placed for exploring nearby Deal, or the South Foreland Heritage Coast and the White Cliffs of Dover.
Setting the Scene
Despite its small size, Walmer has a history to rival that of its neighbouring seaside towns. It is even speculated, from his account of the Gallic Wars, that Julius Caesar once landed on the town’s beach. In the medieval period, Walmer grew in significance as a part of the Cinque Ports confederation and was later the site of a castle commissioned by Henry VIII, now managed by English Heritage.
As its name suggests, the house sits on the approach to Walmer station, which was opened in 1881. Its red-brick frontage speaks to its 19th-century origins, as does a tripartite bay with three tall sashes at its front. Inside, though sensitively modernised, the home retains its period character through carved fireplace surrounds, original floorboards and generous proportions.
The Grand Tour
Blue-painted to its lower half, the house makes a cheery first impression. Its neat, terracotta tiled front garden sits before its front door, which opens to a porch and, in turn, a long hallway. This connects the entrance to open-plan dining room and kitchen at the rear of the plan, a wonderfully light-filled space that encapsulates the home’s gentle material finishes.
The dining room is towards the front, with a warming log-burning stove backed with generous open shelving. White-painted walls and floorboards elongate its proportions. There is plenty of room for a dining table in the centre of the space. The transition between this room and the kitchen is fluid, with a wide archway allowing for sight-lines across both spaces – a configuration that lends itself particularly well to hosting.
Set down a step from the dining room, the kitchen is grounded with striking slate floor tiles. A bank of white units runs along one wall, set against a run of butt-and-bead panelling. A long open shelf above provides plenty of room for cookbooks and vases of flowers. Appliances have been neatly integrated and are from Smeg and AEG. A new boiler has also been recently fitted. Opposite the main units is a wide island that doubles as a breakfast bar. An adjoining utility room/WC is a handy space finished in Farrow & Ball‘s ‘Downpipe’.
The basement runs below the footprint of the house and is a large, practical space currently used for storage.
The sitting room occupies the front of the ground floor, painted in Farrow & Ball‘s ‘Lamp Room Grey’. A cast-iron fireplace provides a visual focal point, while a wide bay window with shutters draws in plenty of light from the front aspect. Outside of the room are stairs to the first floor, painted with a playful geometric design.
At the front of the first storey is the main bedroom, a serene space with a tall sash window. There is a second cast-iron fireplace here with a beautifully carved surround, Bert & May tiles, and a built-in cupboard in one of the alcoves. Currently used as a dressing room, the smaller bedroom at the rear would equally make for a peaceful nursery. The expansive bathroom lies between these two rooms and is pristine with its bathtub, twin sinks and tall window.
Stairs ascend to the second floor, which is occupied by the home’s spacious second bedroom. Both a skylight and a dormer window are set into the lofty, sloping contours of the roof, drawing in light and framing elevated views across the town. Eaves storage on one side is a handy place to hide away winter clothes or suitcases.
The Great Outdoors
A door from the kitchen opens into the south-facing garden, a marvellous space delineated by black timber fencing and a rustic brick wall. Twin borders are planted with a practical mix of perennials and evergreens. A lawn sits at the fore, with a decked area closer to the house – an ideal spot for a bistro table and chairs. In one corner, a marigold yellow shed provides handy garden storage and adds a jolly pop of colour. There is direct access from the rear of the garden onto a shared pathway that joins with the street.
Out and About
Walmer is a delightful seaside town with a growing number of independent businesses. The house is a short walk from the beach, where Hut 55 is a great spot to grab a coffee. Even closer to home is Walmer Castle and its splendid gardens and sweet café.
The town’s larger sibling, Deal, is also within walking or cycling distance of the house. Deal’s culinary scene is thriving: one of its most popular recent openings is the Rose Hotel, known for its excellent bar and restaurant. The Frog and Scot is also a popular haunt and has a lovely wine bar, Le Pinardier. Merchant of Relish, The Black Pig and Jenkins and Sons are the go-to for groceries, meat and fish respectively, but for local produce, there is also a fantastic Saturday farmers’ market. Dunlin and Diver sells beautiful gifts and accessories, while Old Coves and Mileage are great for furniture.
There is plenty to explore along this part of the Kentish coast, including Dover’s White Cliffs and a National Trust-managed lighthouse, both to the south of the house. Plenty of walks are to be found in and around the Kent Downs National Landscape (AONB), which lies to the west of the house.
Trains connect from Walmer station, an two-minute walk away, to London St Pancras in just over an hour and 20 minutes.
Council Tax Band: D
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