Baddlesmere Road, Whitstable, Kent

A meticulous renovation has established a series of flowing, flexible and light-filled spaces in this four-bedroom house in Whitstable. Crittall-style doors open to a large rear garden chock-full with lush plantings, and home to a workshop, garage and sauna. The house is a short walk from the beach and the excellent restaurants, cafés, and open spaces of both Tankerton and Whitstable.

The Tour

Positioned on the quiet eastern fringe of Whitstable, less than a quarter of a mile from Tankerton Beach, this house’s modest profile is composed of a low-lying gabled frontage with a pebble-dash rendered façade and striking bay windows. A neat front garden is bounded by bushy hedging and bisected by a short path that leads to the fan-lit entryway. A pastel green-painted panelled door gives a flavour of the interior scheme that lies beyond.

Inside, the house has been redesigned with great consideration and precision, with the original footprint used to maximum effect. Modern and traditional aesthetics blend harmoniously to create an inspiring set of interior spaces, characterised by quality materials and razor-sharp attention to detail.

Entry is to the hallway, where the lofty proportions are complemented by whitewashed white floorboards running underfoot. This immediately generates a warm, welcoming atmosphere. On the far side is a door to the central living room, a large yet cosy and calming space. Open shelves sit in an alcove to one side of a chimney breast enclosing a wood burner, and a bay window on one side floods the room with light.

This clever balance of contemporary and classic continues in the lofty open-plan kitchen and dining space at the rear. Flexible yet distinct, these spaces are a brilliant spot to gather, sit, chat and eat. In the kitchen, oak-fronted cabinetry provides ample storage and is topped with grey, veined worktops. The conservatory-like dining and relaxation space is through a wide opening and down a slight drop in level that subtly demarcates the space. Painted and boarded ceilings rise with the roofline, and dado-height panelling sits beneath generous glazing that wraps the perimeter. Double doors from here open to an enticing terrace beyond, ideal during the warmer months.

Towards the front of the house is a reception room currently used as a study, although its proportions and excellent quality of light would make for a brilliant dining room. A mottled green hearth and surround add a zest to this otherwise tranquil space, where new and old combine to wonderful effect. Opposite, a utility room is handy for stowing coats, shoes and dog leads. A window seat slotted into the bay projection provides a smart working nook. An immaculately realised family bathroom sits adjacent.

One of the four spacious double bedrooms rests on the ground floor. It overlooks the lush garden backdrop and has plentiful storage within a wall of full-height cupboards. A dog-leg stair ascends to the first floor, where there are three characterful bedrooms (one with an en suite) and a further family bathroom.

There is a secondary access to the house on the northern side, where a reeded-glass door opens to a beautifully considered hall. Generously proportioned, it would work equally well as another study.

Outdoor Space

Extending seamlessly from the conservatory, the enticing raised terrace melds the internal living spaces with lovely vantages to relax, dine and entertain. The garden is perfectly laid out to suit sociable al fresco dining or a quiet sojourn enjoying a coffee and crossword.

The garden is enclosed by slatted timber fencing and verdant, bushy foliage, offering privacy and shade on sunnier days. A lovely tapestry of planting surrounds the central grassy area: jasmine and climbing roses add colour and fragrance, while tomato plants and beds of herbs produce seasonal fare.

There is side access to a sizeable garage, which has additional storage at its rear, handy for bicycles and paddleboards. Tucked into one corner of the garden is a large workshop and into another a sauna shed, complete with an outdoor shower - a perfect way to end a day on the beach.

The Area

Only a couple of streets separate Baddlesmere Road from Tankerton Beach, with its pretty painted seaside huts. This lovely stretch of coast is popular throughout the year for its wealth of beaches, water sports and proximity to Canterbury, which offers a wide range of amenities and cultural interests.

There are a host of lovely culinary spots along Tankerton Road, within easy reach of the house. Land and Sea uses high-quality ingredients to cook up delicious seafood dishes, Basil and Co. is a much-loved Italian restaurant, and The Marine on Tankerton Slopes has a brilliant bar for a sunset drink.

Whitstable has an impressive assortment of independent haunts, striking historic architecture and a thriving cultural scene. Famed historically for its oysters; the epicurean tradition has continued locally with the annual Whitstable Oyster Festival and year-round at Wheelers Oyster Bar, Oyster Co., and Stephen Harris’ Michelin-starred The Sportsman. Other delicious dining options within a half-hour drive include The Fordwich Arms and The Pig at Bridge Place - both establishments driven by local produce. We've written more about our recommendations in Whitstable in our Journal.

Canterbury, around 15 minutes away by car, has a year-round indoor farmers market at The Goods Shed and the excellent Macknade Fine Foods can be found in nearby Faversham. Margate is also easily reached, around a 30-minute drive away or a 16-minute train along the coast. Increasingly popular, it packs a punch with excellent food and cultural venues, including Turner Contemporary and Carl Freedman Gallery.

The area has a very good selection of primary and secondary schools.

HS1 highspeed rail link runs from Whitstable to London Victoria, London St Pancras and Stratford International in about 1 hour 20 minutes. Road connections are also excellent, with the M2 close at hand to reach London in around an hour and a half.

Council Tax Band: D