This beautifully converted two-bedroom cottage sits within a former Sunday schoolhouse, moments from Margate’s Old Town. A calming contemporary aesthetic has been employed amidst its original structure that complements the timber floorboards and exposed beams. Whimsical wisteria grows across the brick façade, next to a prettily planted courtyard garden. Margate’s seafront and thriving local art scene are close at hand, and trains from the nearby station connect to central London in around 90 minutes.

The Tour

The striking white stucco façade of the old church schoolhouse conceals a short brick-faced terrace of three cottages set along a planted courtyard. This house sits in the middle of the terrace surrounded by cascading wisteria and wildflowers. Exposed brickwork is punctuated by wooden sash windows, their frames stained a dramatic black.

Entry is into the main living space, where bright walls painted in ‘Skimming Stone’ by Farrow & Ball scatter light around. Wide floorboards run underfoot and complement the wooden handrail that runs up the stairs. This space is currently arranged to have a sitting area beside the hearth, which has been plastered and left open. A separate, designated dining space is to the front, beside the sash windows.

Beyond is the L-shaped kitchen, finished in a monochromatic scheme with white cabinetry and black worktops above integrated appliances.

At the front of the plan is a spacious study overlooking the courtyard. A flexible space, it would also make a wonderful bedroom. A shower room with WC can be accessed from here, functioning as an en suite when used as the latter, or via the kitchen.

Upstairs, there are two double bedrooms. All are voluminous, with exposed beams and a ceiling that rises to the roofline. A wonderful quality of light is drawn in through slim-framed skylights set into the roof. There is a family bathroom off the landing with a bathtub, WC and basin.

The house has a fully electric heating and hot water system, which produces no carbon emissions and, when paired with a renewable energy provider, makes for an eco-friendly and efficient home.

Outside Space

The courtyard provides access for the cottages; automated downlighters provide an ambient light above a space for a table and chairs. The south-facing aspect benefits the blooming wisterias and the borders planted with wildflowers, including edible plants such as Jack-by-the-hedge and rhubarb. Other parts of the courtyard have native ferns and fruit trees planted with guilds, such as comfrey and strawberry.

The Area

Margate is a wonderful seaside town renowned for its creative community, exemplified by Turner Contemporary. Synonymous with the town and visually unmistakable, the building was designed by architect David Chipperfield. It is a brilliant art space, with far-reaching views over the sea, named after landscape painter J. M. W. Turner, who went to school in Margate and would later return to the town throughout his life. He called its skies and sunsets “the loveliest in Europe”.

Addington Square is in the heart of Margate’s progressive art scene, bookended between the Carl Freedman Gallery and The Tracey Emin Foundation/TKE Studios a few short steps away. Beautiful Dane Park with its ornamental fountain, trees and wide open green spaces is 5 minutes on foot.  Equally close by is Margate Old Town and its host of numerous restaurants, including Angela’s, a sustainable seafood bistro and its fun-loving sister Dory’s; Sargasso is a fantastic wine bar with a seasonally changing menu and newly opened HIGH DIVE for delicious LA style tacos.  For live music, Where Else is a highly regarded music venue. Margate is also famous for Dreamland, a vintage theme park with rides, musical events and a drive-in cinema.

Margate is home to many independent shops such as Werkhaus, the Margate Bookshop and the Margate-born sustainable beauty brand Haeckels. It is a stone’s throw from the beach and from numerous walks such as the Viking Coastal Trail, an eight-mile trail that links the towns of Ramsgate, Broadstairs and Margate along Kent’s cliffs and beaches.

The nearby coastal towns of Broadstairs and Ramsgate are also well known for their array of pubs, restaurants, and independent shops, as are Herne Bay and Whitstable, which are just slightly further afield.

The town has excellent links to London, with trains from Margate to London St Pancras in under an hour-and-a-half or London Victoria in an hour and 45 minutes. There are trains to Canterbury in half an hour. Connections to Europe are also very good, with the Eurotunnel motor rail service running to Calais from Folkestone (also 50 minutes away).

Council Tax Band: B

Please note that all areas, measurements and distances given in these particulars are approximate and rounded. The text, photographs and floor plans are for general guidance only. The Modern House has not tested any services, appliances or specific fittings — prospective purchasers are advised to inspect the property themselves. All fixtures, fittings and furniture not specifically itemised within these particulars are deemed removable by the vendor.