KENTSTAYCATION
A( BEACH) HOUSE FOR ALL SEASONS
THERE IS SOMETHING BOTH PATRIOTIC AND RIDICULOUS ABOUT THE BRITISH HABIT OF PLANNING A SEASIDE BREAK THEN IMMEDIATELY BEGINNING NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE WEATHER. SUNSHINE MEANS BEACH, WHILE RAIN MEANS PLAN B. LITTLE BEACH HOUSE, TUCKED INTO ONE OF TANKERTON’ S PRETTY RESIDENTIAL POCKETS JUST ALONG THE COAST FROM WHITSTABLE, MAKES A GREAT CASE FOR ABANDONING THAT LOGIC ALTOGETHER. THIS IS A HOLIDAY HOME WITH TWO DISTINCT PERSONALITIES- THROW THE DOORS OPEN IN SUMMER AND IT BECOMES SUNNY AND SOCIABLE; CLOSE THEM AGAINST A GREY SKY AND THE SAME HOUSE TURNS WARM AND RIPE FOR HUNKERING DOWN. BY POLLY HUMPHRIS
From the street, you might not expect quite how much house is waiting behind the front door. Little Beach House is a single-storey, semi-detached bungalow and, externally, relatively understated. Inside, however, it opens out like a tardis- the main living space runs wide and long, with kitchen, dining and sitting areas flowing into one another before meeting a wall of bi-fold doors and a garden beyond. It feels way more spacious than the outside belies and- something that’ s rare in the world of holiday lets- even more stylish in person than in the photographs. Bloom Stays does have a very trustworthy knack for properties that feel even better once you’ re actually inside them and this is one of them.
Eschewing any hint of novelty, there is nothing aggressively‘ seaside’ about the interior; no anchors, life rings or nautical slogans here, thank you. Instead, the location is subtly nodded to in a stylish palette of greys, teals and greens( chosen by the owner to echo winter walks at Tankerton), while warm wood, panelled walls and artwork by Whitstable-based artists stop the space feeling sterile. The big marble-topped kitchen peninsula is the natural gathering point- bar stools on one side, Neff appliances, a Nespresso machine and, crucially for a house built around sociable stays, a wine fridge on the other- while the very comfy corner sofa in the living area can easily absorb a whole family after a day out.
Outside is absolutely where Little Beach House shifts up yet another gear. In good weather, the bi-folds disappear and the house effectively gains another room. The deck is set up for long lunches and late evenings with seating for eight, a Big Green Egg barbecue, hot tub, fire pit area and garden games including boules, giant Jenga and a cool corn-toss game that kids will play on repeat. There is method to the faint American influence here as the owner drew on her own Stateside upbringing when renovating the house, but it’ s fun and sits in happy union alongside the Kentish setting rather than confusing it.
Another unexpected bonus also lives a short walk away. Guests have use of the Tiny Beach House, a private hut on Tankerton Slopes with its own deck looking towards the sea. On a sunny beach afternoon, it’ s exactly where you’ d want to deposit towels, snacks and children between swims. Equally, on a crisp winter afternoon, it becomes somewhere to sit with a cup of tea and watch the wind provoke the waves. This dual purpose could neatly summarise the whole Little Beach House experience- yes, summer is easy here, but the colder months are absolutely not second best.
Back at the house, colder weather simply changes what you decide to do. That massive sink-in sofa starts looking increasingly persuasive and the warm dining area has everything you could possibly need to prepare a lunch that accidentally rolls into dinner. The feature fireplace gives the sitting room a visual focal point and the large smart TV and Bose speaker are ready for cosy film nights under blankets. There is also a wonderfully indulgent roll-top bath in the main bathroom, alongside a separate walk-in shower, and one could argue that the hot tub becomes even more appealing when the air has a bit more bite to it.
With three bedrooms that sleep up to eight combined, that flexibility continues in the sleeping arrangements. Two rooms have king-size beds, including a calm master
50 • www. insidekent. co. uk