This beautiful Grade II-listed Georgian townhouse sits on Churchfield Place in Margate, Kent. Six bedrooms are spread across four floors of living space, and a lower ground floor with its own entrance houses a studio space. Expansive sash windows bathe the elegantly proportioned rooms in light, setting aglow a striking palette that complements the building’s 18th-century fabric. Positioned on Churchfield Street, which runs through the centre of Margate’s Old Town, the house is less than 10 minutes' walk from the seafront and is surrounded by the town’s best independent shops, restaurants and galleries. 

Setting the Scene

One of England's first seaside resorts, Margate was little more than a fishing village until the 18th century, when the town was transformed into an escape for Londoners seeking the medicinal benefits of seawater and fresh sea air. Its status as a healthy getaway was cemented when the Royal Sea Bathing Hospital, the first of its kind in England, was opened here in 1791. Houses were built to accommodate this influx of health-conscious visitors, resulting in the proliferation of gorgeous Regency architecture Margate is famous for today.

Now a bustling seaside town, the area is home to blue-flag beaches and exceptional coastal scenery, alongside a number of cultural attractions, including the Turner Contemporary gallery, designed by renowned architect David Chipperfield. J. M. W. Turner decried that "the skies over Thanet are the loveliest in all Europe" and painted a number of landscapes in Margate throughout his life. The house is wonderfully positioned in Margate's Conservation Area near the celebrated Hawley Square, making it only a stone's throw from the beach, the Theatre Royal and the esteemed Turner gallery. For more information, please see the History section below.

The Grand Tour

Rising behind a row of spearhead cast-iron railings, the front door is recessed behind a rusticated case in the imposing brick and render façade. The door opens directly to a vestibule, set behind the later addition of a Victorian stained glass and panelled screen. From here, the central hallway acts as a backbone to the placement rooms in typical Georgian fashion. 

From the hallway on the ground floor, a door opens to a reception room of vast proportions. A moulded arch atop fluted pilasters bisects the space, which is flooded with light through sash windows at either end of the room. Positioned on either side of the arch is a pair of original cast iron fireplaces with marble surrounds, the cool white and grey tones of the stone contrasting wonderfully with the walls, painted 'Yeabridge Green' by Farrow & Ball. The voluminous room is crowned with moulded cornicing and backdropped by a hand-painted botanical mural; its Georgian details and incredible dimensions make it a wonderful setting for a canapé and drinks reception.  

Across the hallway, the vibrant palette of colours continues in the kitchen and dining room; this wing of the house is thought to be a later structural addition. One side of the room is currently arranged as a kitchen set with hand-painted terracotta tiles below a pair of six-over-one sash windows, which makes a bright space for cooking. In the corner is a handy pantry store. At the other side of the room there is ample space for a large dining table to sit atop the original oak floorboards, which run throughout the house. To the rear of the plan there is a WC and shower room, as well as access to the private courtyard. 

A switch-back stairway winds from the hallway to the upper floors of the house. On both the first and second floors there are two double bedrooms and a family bathroom. Of the bedrooms on the first floor, one is painted in warm shade of pink, and the other in 'Babouche' and topped with dramatic dark 'Stiffkey' ceiling, both by Farrow & Ball. The rooms are connected by a magnificent double arched doorway, an 18th century feature discovered by the current owners during their restorations. The bathroom on this floor is lined with an array of decorative tiles and fitted with a claw-foot roll-top bath and a pedestal sink that chimes with the period origins of the house.  

Two further double bedrooms are arranged on the third floor, as is a second kitchen, shower room and WC, making it an excellent guest suite. From here there are far-reaching views across Margate’s historic townscape and to the sea beyond. 

On the lower ground floor, a series of rooms and vaults offer extensive studio space, benefitting from a separate entrance to the street and a WC. 

The Great Outdoors 

To the rear of the house is a courtyard garden. The courtyard is paved in brick and flagstone and lined with beds ideal for planting herbs to use in the kitchen, while an evergreen ivy drapes over the perimeter fence. A table and chairs here would make a lovely spot for enjoying a morning coffee over a good book. 

Out and About

The seaside town of Margate is known for its wonderful creative community and abundance of galleries and contemporary art spaces. It’s home to the Turner Contemporary, named after landscape painter J. M. W. Turner, who went to school in Margate and returned throughout his life. Designed by architect David Chipperfield, Turner Contemporary is a brilliant contemporary art space with far-reaching views over the sea and is only a 10-minute stroll from the house. The contemporary gallery Carl Freedman, a three-minute walk from the house, has also recently opened, with murmurs of further creative initiatives to follow.

Among the favoured restaurants are Angela’s, a sustainable seafood bistro, and its sister restaurant, Dory’s, a fantastic seafood bar priding itself on working closely with Kentish fishermen and independent growers to build its menus. Other much-loved dining spots include Sargasso, Bottega Caruso, and Sete, while the Rose in June pub is a wonderful stop after a walk along the seafront. Little Swift is an excellent choice for cocktails and natural wine, and Dive is a must for margaritas and tacos. Independent retailers include clothing shop Werkhaus, Haeckels, a skincare shop with treatment rooms, and the cosy Margate Bookshop. Be sure to visit Dreamland, a vintage theme park with rides, musical acts and a drive-in cinema.

The beachfront is a natural attraction, leading to numerous walks such as the Viking Coastal Trail (an eight-mile hike linking the towns of Ramsgate, Broadstairs and Margate along Kent’s cliffs and beaches). Walpole Bay Tidal Pool is a short walk away and is a perfect spot for a dip. 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 slightly further afield.

Margate has excellent links to London, with services to London St Pancras in under an hour and a half or London Victoria in one hour and 45 minutes. There are trains to Canterbury in half an hour, which is also a short drive away, and the Eurostar is reachable at nearby Ashford International, making the continent easily accessible.

Council Tax Band: D