Island Wall, Whitstable, Kent

Designed by local architect W. Michael Bishop in 1960, this tall, modernist house in Whitstable captures beautiful views across the surrounding landscape. It sits on the highly sought-after Island Wall, close to the beach, train station and independent shops along the high street. Sensitively renovated by its current owners, the bright, three-bedroom house makes use of a tactile material palette. A large, south-facing garden unfolds at the rear, and an elevated balcony on the raised ground floor overlooks the treetops of a nearby golf course.

The Tour 

The house is set back from the road behind a parking area and a colourful front garden. Entry is via a short set of steps up to a cheery blue-painted front door that sits in gentle contrast with its white rendered façade.

Carefully restored floorboards flows from the central hallway into a voluminous living space that extends across the raised ground floor. Pared-back white walls cast the light from south-facing, triple-glazed Velfac windows around the room. From here, a large sliding door opens onto a balcony bounded by wrought iron railings; views stretch from the garden below to the patchwork of greenery making up Whitstable Golf Course.

The central staircase leads down to an open-plan kitchen and dining space on the lower ground floor, where white-painted brick and reclaimed terracotta tiles pair beautifully with solid oak cabinetry. A wide window sits above the sink, drawing natural light deep into the kitchen at the front of the plan. Configured in an L-shape around a central island, it has a range cooker and bespoke units that echo the impressive joinery framing the stairs. A small bench seat at the foot of the stairs provides a lovely spot to perch and join in conversation in the kitchen.

A dining area is arranged at the rear, with floor-to-ceiling glazing framing the garden beyond as a beautiful backdrop throughout the seasons. A small hallway runs adjacent, providing alternate access to the garden and to a useful shower room with a WC. A separate laundry room extends from here and can also be accessed from outside, ideal for hosing down after a day at the beach.

At the top of the house, there are two well-proportioned double bedrooms, a single bedroom and a bathroom with a combined bath and shower. A sage green wall in the main bedroom mimics the leafy outlook from its window, while the two bedrooms have glimpses of the sea through the breaks in terraced houses opposite.

Outdoor Space

A large glazed door opens from the dining area onto a south-east-facing garden, extending to approximately 80 feet. Terracotta tiles flow seamlessly from inside to out, creating a paved section at the front of the year that functions as an overspill of living space. Enclosed by timber fencing, garden beds with Giant Dracaenas and an array of flourishing perennial plants line the space, while a small wooden shed occupies the rear.

A decked balcony extends off the raised ground floor, which can be accessed through a sliding glass door from the living space. With views of the leafy tree canopy in the local golf course beyond, it provides an ideal spot for enjoying the sun with space for a table and chairs.

The Area

Closest to the house is The Windy Corner Stores & Café, an excellent local café tucked away from the fray of the high street. A short cut through to the beach leads to iconic pub The Old Neptune and the local tennis club, both of which overlook the magnificent seafront.

The high street is peppered with independent shops and cafes. Tea and Times offer a particularly good full English and Wheelers Oyster Bar is renowned for its seafood dishes and intimate atmosphere. Other excellent local pubs include The Ship (on Middle Wall), The New Inn, and The Duke of Cumberland. There are also a number of micro-pubs on the high street including the atmospheric Royal Naval Reserve and The Twelve Taps.

Harbour Street is home to a series of tempting shops including The Clothes Horse, Carol Ridley, Ruskin, Frank, Wallace Pring and Harbour Books. V C Jones is the go-to fish and chip shop and from there the working Harbour is a short walk away. On one side of the Harbour arm is the striking asphalt factor which lends a brutalist tinge to the local skyline. The seafood market offers fresh delicacies all year round. The annual Oyster Festival brings lively markets and music to the town with an array of Kent's fresh produce to be enjoyed.

With easy access to the M2, London can be reached in an hour and 15 minutes by car. Whitstable station runs direct services into London St Pancras in about an hour. There is also excellent access to Canterbury and the rest of the beautiful Kent Coast.

Tenure: Leasehold
Lease Length: 999 years remaining 
Service Charge: n/a
Council Tax Band: n/a