Gothic House, Walmer, Kent

Elevated above the restorative Walmer-Deal coastline, this four-bedroom, Grade II-listed neo-Gothic house was built in the 1870s. Striking decorated gables, Gothic windows and a pointed three-arched veranda speak to its early history. Inside, its voluminous internal footprint of 3,400 sq ft is dotted with fine original features including built-in glazed cabinetry and ornamental carpentry. French doors provide easy passage to a wraparound garden, which comprises both terraced and lawned sections. Gothic House lies a six-minute drive from the coast and a 15-minute walk from Walmer station, which runs services to London St Pancras in as little as 79 minutes.

Setting The Scene

Famed for its namesake moated castle, the town of Walmer was considered a crucial hold for strategic military and naval defence throughout the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. It was Henry VIII who ordered the construction of the castles at Walmer, Deal and Sandown around 1540 in fear of invasion and attack by Catholic France. By the 19th century, when the threat of Papal backed invasion had waned, the castle became an official residence of the Duke of Wellington.

Gothic House was built for Major Obbard of the East India Company and was later occupied by Admiral Leicester Keppel and his family; as a result, it melds the contemporary neo-Gothic style inspired by Pugin's work with its first custodian's experience of Indian architecture. Added around this time, the veranda and its accompanying shutters are typical of the Anglo-Indian design that began to proliferate in domestic architecture from the late Georgian period onwards.

The Grand Tour

Gothic House is set inconspicuously behind a handsome old flint wall and modest gates. Its frontage is stuccoed in imitation sandstone masonry, and has white adornments at the gables and veranda. The juxtaposition between the soft tone of the external render draws attention to the impressive neo-Gothic elements of the building's profile. A generous driveway at the front has space for up to four cars.

A vestibule at the side of the house provides a discreet and sheltered doorway through which the grand entrance hall is reached. Beautifully patinated oak floorboards run underfoot, leading into the several living spaces that make up the ground-floor plan.

The south-east-facing drawing room is painted a buttery white that amplifies its glowing light. At the far end, a highly ornamented monochromatic marble fireplace provides a characterful focal point. Direct access to the pebble-laid veranda and garden is provided by a double set of French doors.

At the rear of the plan is the kitchen, which also has direct garden access. Here, slate floors are complemented by waist-height grey timber cabinetry that runs at waist height. A Carrara marble countertop is inset with a large butler's sink, and a deep blue Mercury range cooker sits within the former fireplace. An exceptional amount of storage is provided by an original built-in floor-to-ceiling dresser washed in the same soothing grey hue as the other units.

The neighbouring dining room delights in views of the garden and its flint wall. The room also sports a large fitted Victorian dresser with added ornamental glazing and has a wood burner set within a grand Victorian fire surround. Beyond the kitchen are a cluster of convenient rooms, including a WC and boot, coat and toy storage.

A generous stairwell ascends to the first-floor landing, where a large cupola above suffuses the space with natural light. Finely striped wool carpet has been laid in three of the bedrooms providing contemporary juxtaposition to the Victorian bones of the house.

An enfilade forms the principal suite, which comprises a large bedroom, a dressing room and an en suite bathroom. Cocooned within the eaves, this quiet corner of the house has a peaceful sense of remove.

The second bedroom also has an en suite, along with two windows overlooking the private garden below. There are two additional double bedrooms both serviced by a striking art deco bathroom of emerald green glazed tiles that reflect the light from a skylight above.

The Great Outdoors

A wonderful collection of mature plants lend the house's garden a compelling juxtaposition of texture. Wrapping around the front of the building, a sizeable lawn is bordered by dense, rambunctious shrubs and neatly planted beds where from ivy and other climbers make use of the tall flint wall that provides privacy from the street.

There are a number of seating areas tucked away in suntrap spots around the garden.  A soft cloud of pink cherry blossom is one of the first signs of spring to arrive in the garden, while soaring hollyhocks bloom electric pink through the latter months of the summer.

As well as the driveway, there is a versatile garage of almost 110 sq ft. With a vaulted ceiling and its sympathetic neo-Gothic façade and mains-wiring, this space could make for a studio or workshop.

Out and About

Walmer is a delightful seaside town with an expanding array of local cafés and business. Passing Walmer Castle en route, the house is a short walk from the beach; here, local favourite Hut 55 provides great coffee.

The centre of Deal is also within walking or cycling distance of Gothic House. The town is well known for its excellent culinary scene: The Rose Hotel is a recent opening, offering stylish rooms and an award-winning restaurant, while bistro-style Frog and Scot and its sister wine-bar, Le Pinardier, are just down the road. 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, a 15-minute walk, to London St Pancras in around an hour and 20 minutes. Services also run to Kent’s other popular seaside towns, including Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate. The A2 is easily reached for car travel into the capital.

Council Tax Band: F