The ever-changing vistas seen from Waters Edge continues to amaze its owners, as well as the guests who stay at this luxury beach house.
Perfectly perched on the shore of Greatstone, near Dungeness, owner Simon Tyler bought the property with his wife on their nineteenth wedding anniversary in 2004…they weren’t expecting to buy it, but those views can draw anyone in.
Simon said: “We were in a fortunate position to have a second property. We thought about Devon and Cornwall, which are unquestionably beautiful, but it takes too long to get to them.
“In this part of Kent, the skies are huge, and it feels very different. The tide goes out for about a quarter of a mile and equally it can come in, so it’s pretty close.”
The couple, who live in Surrey, started to go at weekends and during the summer, but with their three children growing up and grandchildren, too, it was starting to become too maintenance heavy.
“It needed a lot of attention,” said Simon, “it was great to look out of but not so much in to.”
The 1930s property had been extended before, perhaps when planning permission was less stringent, and now it was a case of either selling up or investing.
“We went for it!” says Simon, “now it’s a more attractive proposition for a holiday let.”
Using Kent and London-based architects, Hollaway Studios, and Crush Technical Services as the main contractor, Simon, said: “We liked the space but we took down the old extensions because with uneven floors and having to step up, it wasn’t convenient.”
Keen on the environmental impact, they also took down two chimney stacks and the debris went into the floor which reduced some of the costs. The ground source heat pump, placed 120 metres down and with 500 metres of piping, along with the thermal mass material has allowed for central heating to be provided via underfloor heating and radiators, while the solar panels located on the south facing property produce up to 4.5kwh.
Originally, there was not much insulation, but the external walls have been wrapped in black cedar. The Japanese cedar, imported from Germany, is very striking and long lasting which is pretty useful due to Waters Edge being exposed to wind and sand and should stand up to those conditions. Black tiles on the roof, are similar to those on the cottage of late film director, Derek Jarman, in nearby Dungeness.
Inside, there’s a natural look. “It’s simply but practically decorated, mainly in white, we didn’t want to distract people because the view is the sea.
“The floor in the kitchen diner matches the patio to make it all feel one room.”
With the large kitchen being the base of the house and the family’s love of cooking, it’s been a real thought-out space.
Made in reclaimed oak by The Main Company, its lime looking but is also up to the job. “We didn’t want anything too precious as obviously it’s going to get some knocks and bumps. There’s an indestructible oak table with long benches as we feel they bring people together and are practical.
“Quality items include a Kitchenaid mixer, Dualit toaster and Quooker hot taps and there’s two wide ovens and two induction hobs so you can cook for a lot of people very easy. With a large fridge freezer, two dishwashers and.. although it took four months…the butler sink from Shaws of Darwen was worth it.”
“We like to cook facing out rather than looking at the wall and you can do that here, and when it’s a warm day it’s an indoor/outdoor place.
“We’ve also set it up so children and dogs are within the house and garden safely.
“One thing we’ve learned is if a home is too tidy, you can’t relax. I want people to feel relaxed and in the case of the U-shaped squishy sofa in the state-of-the-art cinema room, you won’t be moving too far.”
With six ensuite bedrooms there are quality mattresses and linen. There’s no cupboards…people always leave things behind… so the stylish clothes rails provide a hanging space and also help to keep changeovers simple.
Each bedroom is themed with a photo which represents a holiday the family have had over the past 40 years. From Italy, Jamaica, St Lucia, Ibiza and Sydney, and weddings and honeymoons, colours have been taken from the photos and incorporated into the colour schemes of the room, Simon adds it’s “personalised in a discreet way.”
“We also took experience from other holiday homes and a couple of friends who have homes on beaches in the UK, and also the views of our three children as they are the beneficiaries of this. We’ve used their experiences when thinking about the facilities.”
As well as being stunning in design both inside and out, it’s very much in keeping with the practicality they wanted. A wooden sculpture in the living room is made from an old tree root and is perfectly situated to draw interest, while posters of the local railway also bring a bit of the area’s history to the house.
“You can overthink the space sometimes and it was a collaboration of all of us combined, it all ended up great, though there were some interesting views!”
There’s no gas in the property, but there is an electric vehicle charging point and with the solar panels, overall, it’s a low impact house. “It’s very much a green place and relatively sustainable for the future and for our children,” adds Simon.
But getting back to those stunning views, although ever-changing, they have always been the wow factor for Simon.
“The sea is constantly changing, ships appear, waters sports take place and it’s popular with kite surfers…there’s always something to look at.”
Perfect for groups, sleeping up to 13 adults, Simon says Waters Edge is an easy way to gather and he’s seeing three generations come together for the weekend or the week. It’s what his own family have enjoyed and he’s happy to see others sharing the pleasure the house provides.
For Simon, his favourite part of the house is the top bedroom.
“Waking up on the first day we went to the house, the sun came up at 4.30am, by 5.30am it was too hot. But now we have snazzy electric blinds which keeps heat and light out. There’s a limed oak fan in a spitfire design which is silent.
“It’s a great place to wake up and see people walking their dogs, to be invisible, as well as being a great place to relax in.
“Waters Edge is a sanctuary for us…away from a busy life, but is in an area which is becoming more and more popular. More investment in recent years has been made along the coast and more houses are being refurbished.”
Greatstone is perfect for bird watchers and Dungeness is fascinating to explore. There are art galleries in Folkestone as well as some good pubs and vineyards. The Romney and Hythe railway and old-fashioned seaside also make for good days out.
With many selling points including those big rooms, many bathrooms, an outdoor shower and good broadband, Waters Edge is perfect for a traditional bucket and spade holiday in the summer months, while in the winter, wrap and warm and take a walk with your four-legged friend.
Simon added: “There’s clean lines, big views and big skies. You don’t have to do anything, or you can do as much as you like, it’s just about having a nice bit of family time. It’s a low impact holiday, there’s no need to get on a plane and those living not too far away can even nip home if they need to.”
They say life’s a beach…even if it’s just for a little while…and this beach house is certainly one of the greats in Greatstone.
Bookings for Waters Edge can be made via bloomstays.com
I:@bloom.stays
01227 903404
