A Sea Change: the best seaside homes for sale in the UK
During our recent visit to Kim and Richard Hill’s converted 1970s house in Seasalter, Kent, the couple told us how moving near the sea had given them the change of pace and sense of calm they had been looking for after years in living London. If, like them, you feel like you’re in need of a sea change, look no further than our edit of the best seaside homes for sale in the UK.
Fairlight, East Sussex
This house was originally built in 1967 and has been completely renovated according to an open, versatile design by architect Colin Pennington. Much of the house centres on maximising the uninterrupted views across the Channel, while outside the dramatic coastline comprises part of The Hastings Country Park nature reserve.
Port Navas, Cornwall
This cedar-clad home is positioned on the banks of Port Navas Creek, a tributary of the Helford Passage, where a sailing club and several deep-water moorings are to be found. The sloping gardens that surround the house run down to the waterfront, where you could set sail for lunch at the nearby Ferry Boat Inn.
Whitstable, Kent
Tucked between the boutiques and cafés of Whitstable High Street on one side, and the beaches of Whitstable Bay on the other, this charming weatherboard house has to be one of the best seaside homes for sale in the UK. Coastal charm comes by way of the original late 1700s structure, which draws from the vernacular timber-clad fishing huts that populate the town’s harbour front.
Bedford Towers, Brighton
This Modernist block in Brighton was originally designed by the Swiss-British architect Richard Seifert in 1967, on the site of the old Bedford Hotel. This tenth-floor apartment has been redesigned with fitting mid-century flourishes by its current owners – we’re particularly fond of the covered balconies, which look out over the English Channel.
And here is some coastal interior inspiration from our ‘My Modern House’ series on our Journal:
Seasalter, Kent
Kim and Richard Hall’s converted 1970s house is a lesson in simple, functional and well thought-through spaces that facilitate modern living. Arranged around a courtyard, each room in the house is fed with ample natural light, which “creates a very calm, peaceful atmosphere”, according to Kim.
Shingle Street, Suffolk
When we visited Chris Sanderson and Martin Raymond’s seaside retreat in Shingle Street, Suffolk, the pair told us about how they rethought the design of their house so that they could see the sea when cooking, and how they spend hours “just staring out, enjoying the view”. Take note: the best seaside homes always come with a view of the ocean!
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Read more: My Modern House; why a refurbished 1970s house in Seasalter, Kent, is the perfect family home for Kim and Richard Hill
My Modern House: graphic designer Marcia Mihotich’s summer house by the sea
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