A 1920s English Arts and Crafts Estate by the Sea

LISTING OF THE DAY

Location: Aldwick Bay, West Sussex, England

Price:  £3.6 million (US$4.8 million)

Sprawled along the rocky beaches of Aldwick Bay in
West Sussex
England, this striking seaside home pairs quintessential English architecture with modern amenities to create an abode that is simultaneously traditional and modern. 

Built in the 1920s for W.F. Watson, the one-time chairman of Rolls Royce Motors, the Arts and Crafts residence showcases craftsmanship nearly a century after its construction thanks to a restoration that has maintained its most charming design elements and added in some much-needed modern conveniences. 

“It has been thoroughly restored to its original style; however, it has been suitably upgraded in its facilities to meet with 21st-century living. For example, it has air conditioning installed,” described listing agent John Fisher of United Kingdom Sotheby’s International Realty. 

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Preserved Arts and Crafts architectural features include the Tudor-influenced exterior with its exposed-wood facade and eye-catching high-peaked roofs, while simultaneously updating the interior with recessed lighting, air-conditioning and modern appliances. More authentic details include the exposed wood beams, herringbone wood flooring and Tudor-style leaded glass windows. 

There are also a variety of handcrafted details: Hand-painted tiles can be spotted in the bathroom, intricate designs adorn a wood-paneled staircase and a trio of stained-glass coat-of-arms sit above the entryway. This attention to detail is carried over to the property’s garden, where a landscaped yard contains a pond, guesthouse and an expansive glass-complex with an indoor pool overlooking the bay. 

“It is a wonderful property, there is no doubt about it,” Mr. Fisher said.

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Stats 

There are 7,129 square feet of interior living space, five bedrooms, four half-bathrooms and six full-bathrooms.  

Amenities 

The main residence includes a carport, a games room with a billiards table for snooker (included in the sale) and a large bedroom that doubles as a cinema. Outside, the glass sports-complex includes an indoor swimming pool, a hot tub, a steam room, a sauna, a plant room and a gym. 

Neighborhood Notes 

Located right on Aldwick Bay Beach, the area is known for its sailing, swimming and nearby nature conservation. 

“It is clearly a house that is great for relaxation; however, if you want more entertainment, you have about five miles away the cathedral city of Chichester, which amongst other things boasts the world-acclaimed Chichester Festival theater [and] Chichester Harbour,” Mr. Fisher described. He added that both the Solent and Isle of Wight are within driving distance from the property. 

Agent: John Fisher, United Kingdom Sotheby’s International Realty

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