Take five | Homes on the Kent coast

Places where an early morning dip, a commute into the city,  and a drink by the sea in the evening can all sit comfortably in the same day. Few counties manage that balance quite as well as Kent does, where its towns and villages feel varied and very much lived in. 

So, if you’re looking for salty air, good rail links and somewhere that feels as appealing in February as it does in August, we’ve picked five homes currently on the market along some of our favourite parts of the Kent coast. 

Kingsgate Place | Broadstairs

Long associated with Charles Dickens, Broadstairs has a literary, slightly bohemian character that still runs through the town. Just above the bay sits Kingsgate Place - a collection of 24 homes with generous gardens and calm, coastal interiors. Our favourite detail, though, is its setting: sea views paired with the neighbouring golf course.

The Old Rectory | Luddenham

Well-placed between Faversham and Whitstable, Luddenham offers access to both - market-town practicality on one side, coastal life on the other. This Old Rectory sits at the heart of the village and comes with a one-bedroom annexe and a separate one-bedroom flat – perfect for visiting guests -, alongside nearly two acres of beautiful gardens.

Finglesham Manor | Finglesham, Deal

Often dubbed as Hackney-on-Sea, Deal has built a reputation for its creativity, drawing artists, writers and independent businesses that have given this town its character. Just outside, in the hamlet of Finglesham, sits Finglesham Manor - a substantial country house that allows you to stay connected to the town while keeping space from its busier streets.

Island Wall | Whitstable

Running closest to Whitstable’s shoreline, Island Wall sits right at the meeting point of town and sea. This three-bedroom home on the street occupies a former shipping office, now reworked into a beautiful coastal home, with decking that looks out over the water.

Mermaid Cottage | St Margaret’s Bay

Set between the White Cliffs and the Channel, St Margaret’s Bay has long drawn writers and creatives, helped by its proximity to France and its feeling of being slightly apart from the rest of Kent. An Art Deco house at the foot of the cliffs offers a different kind of coastal living here - much more contained and away from the seaside bustle.