This elegant three-bedroom Regency house sits at the centre of Ramsgate's Grade II-listed Spencer Square. Recently renovated to an exacting standard, the house presents luminous interiors where sensitive recent additions include fine Calacatta marble and oak flooring. Tall sash windows frame views across the landscaped garden square opposite, which is complete with tennis courts for use by residents. Spencer Square is a short walk from Ramsgate's beach and station, where train services run to London and across Kent.

In addition to the main plan, this house also presents an excellent opportunity for further development by undertaking the renovation of the lower ground floor.

Setting the Scene

Constructed in the 1830s with frontages of stock brick and partial stucco, the refined four storey houses around Spencer Square are wonderful examples of costal Regency architecture, comprising part of James Townley's redevelopment of the Napoleonic barracks area within the town. Centrally located and with favourable access to the marina and port, Spencer Square's inception was in line with the increasing importance of Ramsgate as a strategic naval launch point at the beginning of the 19th century.

The Grand Tour

Located on the eastern side of Spencer Square, the house sits behind neat black cast-iron railings with square fleur-de-lis railheads. The ground floor presents an attractive bowed bay punctuated by ionic pilasters, while the storeys above have two sets of traditional Georgian sash windows. An impressive tented balcony runs along the first floor of the terrace, supported by slender piers and decorated with original ornate geometric rails.

Access is via a black front door set beneath a glazed fanlight. Inside, a sense of calm prevails as light pours down from the window on the first floor landing to reflect off the soft stoney-white walls, painted in Farrow and Ball's Wevet. Bleached oak herringbone flooring runs underfoot here and across the rest of the living spaces. The bipartite kitchen and dining room enjoys full depth of the house's plan, with light entering from both the front and rear.

Beyond is a sleek galley kitchen with a bank of full-height white cupboards on one side and a row of waist-height units on the other; the latter is painted in Off-Black by F&B and houses the dishwasher, fridge-freezer as well a Smeg oven and integrated induction hob. Texture is brought to the room by the exquisite Calacatta marble countertop, which provides plenty of preparation space.

Stairs wind up to the first floor, where the spacious and bright sitting room is found. Positioned at the front of the home, and with a cast-iron Juliet balcony beyond, it overlooks the mature plantings of the garden square outside. A cast-iron fireplace sits within an marble surround at one end, adding to the warmth emitted by a heavy cast-iron radiator beneath the six-over-six sash window come winter. Meandering around the contours of the room, a picture rail emphasises the double-height ceiling and airy atmosphere within the space.

The house has three well-proportioned and pristinely presented bedrooms arranged over the top two floors. Upstairs, on the second floor, lies the principal bedroom, a delicately finished space with two original sash windows. The bedrooms are served by a family bathroom on the ground floor, where marble, porcelain tiles and aged brass fixtures create a compelling contrast. There is a luxuriously deep bathtub here, as well as an open waterfall shower. Reeded glass within the sash window affords privacy.

Readied with plumbing and electricity there is the exciting potential to develop the lower ground floor of the house, either a self contained flat, or  as an additional bedroom and reception room. The lower ground floor also provides direct access to a private garden which could be fashioned into a brilliant outdoor entertaining area.

The Great Outdoors 

The lush garden square around which the terraced houses are arranged is well tended and presents and abundance of flowering plants that provide flashes of colour as the seasons change. There are tennis courts available for local use, and coaching sessions bookable through the courts' website. In recent years the pavilion has been renovated and transformed into a charming café called Vincent's, serving delectable homemade treats and freshly ground coffee.

Out and About

Ramsgate is swiftly developing quite the cultural scene, with a variety of independent shops, restaurants and cafés within walking distance. The house is not far from the Kent Coastal Path, where it is possible to walk along the promenade to Margate and beyond or stroll the endless sandy beaches when the tide is low. Pegwell Nature Reserve also provides access to peaceful greenery and impressive views.

It is less than a 10-minute walk to the historic harbour for wonderful fresh fish as well as new cafés. A nearby boutique hotel, The Falstaff, runs a locally-beloved coffee shop and deli on Addington Street. For natural wines, cocktails and small plates Penelope and Seabird are both stand out spots. Other favourites include Little Ship, Flavours by Kumar and the Dining Rooms at Albion House. Sundowners are a must at the Albion House or the Royal Harbour Brassiere, located at the end of the harbour arm, both of which command fabulous sea views.

The recently opened Union Café serves as a yoga studio and an excellent spot for lunch. The Modern Boulangerie is known for its freshly baked bread, while Sorbetto serves authentic Italian ice cream. Waitrose is only five minutes’ walk from the house.

It’s under an hour’s walk along the coast to Broadstairs, which has enjoyed a palpable resurgence in recent years. The town has a thriving community of independent shops and restaurants including the Michelin-starred Stark and renowned seafood spot Wyatt and Jones. The Funicular Coffeehouse is built into the old ticket office of a long-decommissioned clifftop funicular. The old town itself remains a haven of antique shops and cafés and Morelli’s ice cream parlour is a wonderfully over-the-top institution on the seafront.

Nearby Margate is also experiencing an exciting period of change and is home to the internationally renowned Turner Contemporary along with the recently restored Dreamland amusement park. Head towards Sandwich, about eight miles south, to check out Delf Farm Shop for locally grown produce and Updown Farmhouse for a luxurious staycation or gourmet meal (or both). Both are accessible by car in less than 20 minutes. Only a few minutes further is The Dog at Wingham, a gastropub and boutique hotel.

Ramsgate is well connected to the rest of the area of Thanet by train and road, meaning that the towns of Margate, Deal and Canterbury can all be accessed in under 30 minutes. Spencer Square is a six-minute drive from Ramsgate Station, which runs fast direct services to London St Pancras in approximately 75 minutes.

Council Tax Band: C