Charles Dickens’ Kent holiday home is up for sale

This is the clifftop mansion where Charles Dickens penned one of his most iconic books.

The grand seven-bedroom house is perched on a beautifully picturesque section of the Kent coastline, overlooking Viking Bay in Broadstairs.

Now on the market for a cool £2.4 million, the stunning Grade II-listed property is renowned for being the famous author’s favourite holiday home.

Bleak House was originally built in 1801, but was formerly known as Fort House. Its name was changed to recognise the association with Charles Dickens and his 1853 novel of the same name.

It’s also thought that the author wrote his eighth novel, David Copperfield, at the property. A blue plaque depicting the author adorns the external brickwork.

The home itself is steeped in history and boasts several charming period features.

They include original oak herringbone flooring, ornate coved ceilings, leaded light windows and a truly impressive entrance hallway with an atrium-style front door.

The study, which has expansive sea views, is believed to have been Dickens’ favourite room in the house, and it’s easy to see why.

It boasts a solid, wooden desk and huge windows for watching the world go by – making it a dream retreat for writers.

Elsewhere, the Charles Dickens bedroom suite is a spacious double bedroom with an original fireplace and sash windows with views across the bay.

The property has previously been a bed and breakfast and a wedding venue, but was recently reverted back to a family home.

The famous house has seven bedrooms, a bar, a parapet roof terrace, and even its own smugglers’ museum on the lower ground floor.

Some of the décor inside, despite being very charming in places, is a little dated elsewhere. But that makes it the perfect canvass for an ambitious renovation project.

This property is listed for sale with Express Estate Agency.