Words: Zoe Dickens
If there’s one group of people who have come out of lockdown receiving more jealous glances than most it’s those with second homes by the sea. Yes, rolling hills and dense forests are great but, even for those able to escape to the countryside, nothing gives that holiday feeling quite like a view of the wide open ocean. The good news is, if you are thinking of investing, there are plenty of beautiful waterfront properties in England available to buy right now. Here are some of our favourites…
Infinity House, Torquay
Spanning more than 7,000 square feet of living space, this stunning villa-style home occupies a prime position overlooking Devon’s Thatcher Rock, with panoramic sea views across Tor Bay. A thoroughly modern home, with vast expanses of glass to capitalise on its clifftop position, its minimalist open-plan interior is flooded with natural light and offers a variety of flexible spaces for entertaining, family living and relaxation.
Set across three storeys, the main home offers three en suite bedrooms, including a huge master suite complete with dressing room and elegant bathroom with double bath, a huge living room, study, drawing room, cinema, bar and entertainment rooms. There is also a two bedroom annexe with living room, kitchen and office which can be used flexibly as guest or staff accommodation. Outside, Infinity House’s particularly impressive plot includes landscaped lawns, an infinity pool and a Canada Spa hot tub, all with views across the sea.
Stack Point House, Falmouth
If you’re looking for the best of both worlds, few homes offer a blend of coast and country like Cornwall’s Stack Point House estate. Nestled in 30 acres of landscaped gardens, woodland and pasture, the property also features private headland and coastline in a stunning spot between Fal Estuary and Helford Passage which promises utmost privacy.
Built by the current owners in 2000, the traditionally-styled slate and granite main house offers five en suite bedrooms, most with ocean views, as well as a split-level open plan kitchen and dining area, utility room, conservatory, snug, study and drawing room. There is also a detached studio, believed to have been built using materials from the original cottage which stood on the plot, which houses a further bedroom, bathroom, store room and kitchen/living space. Currently in need of refurbishment, it has great potential as guest accommodation or a holiday let with privileged access to Swanpool Beach.
The Cliff House, Dover
Dover’s white cliffs are internationally famous for a reason – and Cliff House really makes the most of its prime position atop them. Situated on 11.4 private acres, and surrounded by National Trust land, what Cliff House lacks in beach access it more than makes up for in incredible views and blissful privacy and seclusion.
Recently renovated and redecorated, the main house offers a cosy beach-style atmosphere in keeping with the surroundings. Airy, high-ceilinged spaces, including five bedrooms, five bathrooms, a large kitchen, drawing room, snug, study and sitting room, are finished with white timber accents and a natural colour palette, which is at once impressive and homely. The ideal house for those who love to entertain, numerous outbuildings include an annexe/pool house with two bedrooms, a study, kitchenette and sitting room, along with various flexible accommodation options allowing a further five bedrooms. Other notable features of this extensive property include a swimming pool, detached double garage and grade II-listed lighthouse.
Bar Lodge, Salcombe
Salcombe is undoubtedly one of the UK’s most popular holiday destinations and this gorgeous Edwardian home perched at the mouth of the Salcombe Estuary truly makes the most of its rugged coastline. Built in 1902, the semi-detached home is split across three floors with a well-proportioned kitchen/living area, entrance hall, double bedroom and shower room on the ground floor. The first floor is home to three bedrooms and a further bathroom, while the lower ground floor offers a second kitchen, sitting room, dining room and room shower. Alternatively the dining room can be converted to turn this space into self-contained accommodation.
While each storey of the house has adjoining terraces, it is this gardens at Bar Lodge that are the true highlight. Perfect for al fresco entertaining, the landscaped lawns offer unbeatable coastal views and lead to a small private beach. There is also private parking and permission for the construction of a new detached house within the grounds.
Heron Creek, St. Mawes
Built in the 1920s for the Bird family (of Bird’s Custard fame), Heron Creek offers true Great Gatsby grandeur in one of Cornwall’s most sought after locales. The perfect home for water lovers, not only does Heron Creek boast beautiful coastal views but it also offers direct water access and a private mooring for small boats. Accordingly, the extensive gardens are equipped with a boat shed and store for water skis and wet suits.
The house itself is equally impressive and characterised by high ceilings and an abundance of natural light. A large Neptune-designed kitchen forms the hub of the home and offers access to a dining space, vast home office, utility room, cloakroom and various elegant reception rooms designed to make the most of the home’s ocean views. On the first floor, all six bedrooms look out over the estuary and include a particularly special master suite with private balcony and luxurious bathroom. Elsewhere, Heron Creek also plays host to a sauna, chasing room and shower which lead directly to the outdoor heated swimming pool and terrace.
Happy in the city? This Kensington home is a modern mansion in the heart of London…
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