A scattering of old stone buildings have been converted into a hamlet of homes a few minutes’ stroll up the slope from a rugged sandy bay. Despite the proximity of nine neighbours, it’s a remote location amid farmland and cliff tops, a mile from the village, with only half a dozen cottages sprinkled along this bit of shore. Travertine limestone and solid oak have been used to garnish the interior of this two-bedroom, two-bathroom home which has its own patio and a shared garden. There’s a mezzanine level to the reception room. You may not get to know the neighbours as well as you’d like since many of the other units have been sold as holiday homes. Sale price: £249,950.
Jackson-Stops & Staff, 01244 328361 Photograph: Jackson-Stops & staff
The beach starts just below the decked area that you share with your neighbour in this newly converted block and the balcony off the open-plan living area has unimpeded views across the Channel. There need be no battle for the bathroom after the morning dip since both bedrooms in this £335,000 apartment are en suites. The interior has been done out with stylish neutrality and there is private off-street parking for residents of all three flats. Sandgate is a villagey overlap of Folkestone, famed for its antique shops and handy for a quick flit to France.
Jackson-Stops, 01227 781600
Photograph: Jackson-Stops
Holidays elsewhere are likely to be an anticlimax since few could beat the location of this £289,950 house overlooking the wide sweep of Coldingham Sands. It’s a short sprint down the cliff to the shore and the sea glimmers beyond the front windows. Inside it’s been stylishly renovated and is unexpectedly roomy. You can fit a dining table in the kitchen bay which overlooks the beach, there’s a 20-foot living room warmed by a woodburning stove and both double bedrooms have en suite bathrooms. This idyll requires a hardy spirit, though, for it is buffeted by frigid winds in winter.
Smiths Gore, 01289 333030 Photograph: Smiths Gore
From the lawned garden in front of the building steps lead down to the promenade and beach, but you needn’t brave the salt air for the sea heaves outside the triple bay window in the living room. This buxom early 19th-century block sits down a private road a short walk from the town centre and Victorian graces survive in this two-bedroom portion in the form of high ceilings and an ornate fireplace, although fastidious fashionistas may wish to fine-tune the decor. On a clear day you can view the Isle of Wight from the sofa. Sale price: £219,950.
Jackson-Stops, 01243 786316 Photograph: Jackson-Stops and staff
All the flats in this new development look over the shared swimming pool to the Caribbean just beyond and it’s a brief hop across the gardens to the beach. The four buildings are grouped round the large pool and house two- and three-bedroom apartments with balconies from £297,105. A few minutes’ drive away is Barbados’s second-largest town with duty-free shopping and watersports. Furniture packages and property management are available.
Savills, 020 7016 3740 Photograph: Savills
