Coastal Collective: five beautiful boltholes a stone’s throw from ocean spray
There’s something undeniably restorative about life by the sea – the rhythm of the waves, the ever-changing light, the promise of salt air as you step outside. In this collection, we bring together five homes where the coast takes centre stage. From Regency rooftops with views to France to tucked-away Brighton courtyards and cliffside cottages wrapped in sea breeze, each offers its own take on coastal living, just steps from the beach
- Words
- Amy Bonifas
Marina, St. Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex
Arguably one of the UK’s finest seafronts, St. Leonards-on-Sea has neat shingle beaches, antique shops and a thriving arts scene. This home is placed directly on the shoreline and is resplendent with soaring ceilings and vast sash windows framing the coastal views beyond. Breathe in the salty air from the doorstep, and behind the pink front door lies an eclectic, colourful home with an original marble fireplace, elegant cornicing and slim shutters.
Chesil Gallery, Portland, Dorset
Moments from the Jurassic Coast’s Chesil Beach, the stony shores surround this home’s perimeter. Formerly two fishermen’s cottages, this home now has a bountiful plan of over 2,000 sq ft with an original timber staircase and large skylights, ushering in the crisp coastal light. Outside, the pretty tiered garden is planted with seaside flora and the beachfront and stretching coastline are accessible from one side of the house.
Regency Court, Ramsgate, Kent
Set within the sweeping curve of Royal Crescent, this refined penthouse has front-row seats to the Channel, with views stretching to France on a clear day. The beach is moments away, but it’s the rooftop terrace – bordered by waving grasses – that brings the sea air closest. Spread across two storeys, the oak parquet floors and pastel-painted joinery nod to its Regency setting, while a mid-century-inspired kitchen lends contemporary charm to this grand seaside address.
Maze Hill, St-Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex
Lime-plastered walls and soaring ceilings set a tranquil tone inside this beautifully reimagined Victorian villa. Designed in the 1830s by pioneering architects James and Decimus Burton, its Gothic and Tudor details remain proudly intact – from ornamental bargeboards to casement bays. The walled gardens wrap the house in greenery, with raised terraces offering peeks of the sea, with the artist quarter and the coast’s ever-changing horizon.
Rock Grove, Brighton, East Sussex
Tucked behind a neoclassical arch in Brighton’s vibrant Kemptown, this serene three-bedroom home is a quiet counterpoint to the city’s energy. Just a short stroll from the beach, it’s all chalky tones, whitewashed brick and pine boards within – a calming backdrop to the soft light that spills in from three private courtyards. Better still, it comes with access to the enchanting Kemptown Gardens, said to have inspired Alice in Wonderland, and a secret tunnel to the esplanade beyond.
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