A stylish, bright and spacious period property with versatile living spaces ideal for entertaining. Retaining all its original elegance yet thoroughly updated where it counts, including sleek bathrooms and eco-friendly high-spec central heating.
High ceilings, a large and bright kitchen with built-in larders, glorious south-facing gardens, direct sea views from the front bedrooms and balcony – and just 500m from the station for direct London trains on HS1. With around 4,000 square feet of well-proportioned living space, this six-bedroom home is beautifully presented throughout and is one the foremost properties on Shakespeare Road.
Considered to be one of the most fascinating and characterful houses in Birchington, ‘Tudor Court’ retains original carved stone fireplaces, archways, oak doors, leaded light windows, carved motifs and oak beams as well as interesting Modernist features that add to its individuality.
Behind the solid oak front door is a wide entrance porch, a cloakroom and ample storage space; the porch gives way to the sun-drenched open plan reception hall and sitting room. There is a carved stone fireplace (with a Yeoman multi-fuel stove); the chimney breast is oak-panelled. French doors lead to the large south-facing rear gardens. Fully restored oiled-oak floors run throughout the downstairs reception rooms.
The gracefully-decorated dining room features a stone and brick fireplace, an oak mantle and panelling featuring delightful acorn carvings. Its sweeping bay window is framed by roses throughout the summer. The elegant double-aspect drawing room also features the original stone and brick fireplace, oak mantelpiece and panelling.
The bright, country-style kitchen benefits from extensive built-in storage including the original Welsh dresser with glazed doors matching the house’s windows, a deep larder, pretty built-in pantry and a Falcon induction range and hood. A large utility room with further storage cupboard (large enough for an additional freezer) and a study with views over the gardens complete the ground floor.
On the first floor five airy double bedrooms with high ceilings open off a bright galleried landing with a door out to the front balcony with a sea view. Four of the bedrooms have built-in wardrobes and storage as well as original, well-preserved feature fireplaces. The two front rooms have sea views, the three at the rear look over the gardens. There are two recently re-designed family bathrooms and a home office.
The second floor is the house’s best kept secret: an enormous bedroom with splendid triple aspect views to the gardens and the sea. Several small ancillary rooms beg to become an ensuite to make this an enclosed two-floor master suite. There is plenty of eaves storage, and a hatch to the flat roof provides access to possibly the highest view in Birchington.
The secluded, south-facing gardens combine pretty herbaceous beds with easy-to-maintain lawns and mature trees providing privacy and calm as well as an excellent place to entertain. Two lawns with formal boarders and olive trees near the house lead via steps and a pergola with rambling roses to the large lawn with fruit trees. There is an original lily pond, firepit/BBQ area, tree-house, and a large shed as well as vegetable beds, poultry-pens/fruit cages and a compost area. Side access could be opened to provide storage for a boat. The overall plot measures 0.3568 of an acre.
Tudor Court is just 500 metres from Birchington-on-Sea station with trains to St Pancras and Victoria, as well as Ramsgate and Dover, and there are regular direct buses to Canterbury. Good transport links further increase educational options including excellent state grammar and independent secondary schools in nearby Ramsgate, Broadstairs, Sandwich and Canterbury; in addition to the well-regarded local state primary schools, there are also two independent prep schools in the area.
- An exceptionally charming 1920s detached family home
- 0.3568 of an acre plot including the beautiful mature garden
- Garage and in & out driveway
- 4222 Square Foot / 392.3 Square meters of accommodation
- Many original period features including fireplaces, wood panelling and leaded windows
- Spacious second floor with vast bedroom and storage
- Ideally located for the train station, shops and beach
We knew there was something special about this house from the moment we first stepped through the door. It is elegant but understated, with a bright, warm, welcoming atmosphere. We have spent a tremendously happy decade here with our four children; the house and garden have been truly magical places that will live in our memories forever. But things move on: the first of our children is now married, and it’s time to downsize.
For us the best aspects of living here boil down to four things: the beauty of the rooms, the way the house spills out into the huge garden, the unique character of Shakespeare Road, and the easy access to so many destinations (in particular London, but also the coast and the stunning Kent countryside).
The house speaks for itself – everyone who enters comments on how lovely it is. We regularly have large groups of friends for dinner, there’s bags of space for entertaining, we even hosted our son’s wedding reception here – a fabulous garden party with 80 guests. In the winter it becomes cosy and takes on entirely different charm – in particular the fireplaces provide a quintessentially Christmassy setting for large gatherings of friends and family.
Shakespeare Road is a wonderful hidden corner of East Kent. It’s a ‘no-through’ road which means it has minimal traffic so is a safe place for children and pets to explore and play, and the neighbours all watch out for one another. We are a stone’s throw from the sea where we swim, paddle-board & kayak in the summer. The sea wall is a traffic-free path for runners and walkers, and provides miles of pleasant coastal cycling. We love walking and regularly walk to pubs and restaurants at Minnis and Westgate, or further along the coast to Margate or, several times a year, all the way around the coast to Ramsgate – it’s a truly stunning coastal walk.
One of the things that makes our specific location perfect is how much freedom it has allowed our children. When they were younger we were always reassured by how safe the area is, and now they’re older they’re free to do things without having to rely on their parents, because the train station is just around the corner – they regularly hop on the train to London for a day out or to go to a concert, it’s so simple.
Birchington boasts an award-winning greengrocer, family-run butcher, bakery, delicatessen, florists, pet shops, a post-office, bank, beautician and three small supermarkets as well as a number of good restaurants, cafés, a wine bar, pubs and micropubs, plus two dentists, an optician, a large medical centre and well-regarded schools. The village has a sailing club, two riding schools and an 18-hole golf course. Quex Barn sells local, ethically raised meat, and has an outstanding cheese counter, fish-monger, and deli, and sells locally grown produce – including local wines & spirits. The Quex Estate has a museum, stately home, cafes, garden centre, riding school, mini-golf, paint-balling and a fantastic maize-maze.
We’re going to be very sad to leave, but we’re also curious to meet the next custodians of this remarkable, happy house. We look forward to meeting you.
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