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Whitstable Beach House

Tides Cottage, Whitstable

6
1

Whitstable, Kent

From £416/night

Overview Location Details FAQs

Beautifully quirky light-filled cottage for 2-6, right on the seafront.

Child friendly

Close to a beach

Dog friendly

Private garden

Walk to a pub

Walk to a shop

WiFi

An easy hop from London, the seaside town of Whitstable is best known for its oyster shacks and brightly coloured beach huts. But those who live there are in thrall to so much more: quirky independents, brilliant little restaurants and the extraordinary quality of light, especially during ‘Golden Hour’. The owners of this beautiful old cottage fell in love with the place and discovered this house for sale over the course of a single day (talk about serendipity.) They welcome you with Prosecco in the fridge, soft, natural linens on the beds, books, board games, even homemade jams – and live around the corner should you need anything else. Not that you will, because they’ve thought of absolutely everything! Full of cosy, eclectic charm, this is a perfect rental for a family or close friends, with 2 double bedrooms (plus a mezzanine with an extra bed), soul-stirring views, and relaxed days of flying kites on the shingle beach, swimming and paddle boarding in the sea, and lazy lunches in those famed shacks.

Getting here: train to Whitstable and walk, or come by car.

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Surprise gift on arrival when you book with Kip!

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Owners of Whitstable Beach House
“Eight years ago, we popped down to Whitstable for an overnight stay – be warned, it’s that addictive here! – and wandered past the old artist’s cottage and saw it was for sale. Though it was jam-packed with clutter, we could see the beautiful bones of the original features. We put in an offer on the spot, and used it as a holiday home before moving here completely 4 years later. We then went on to have 3 boys and decided we needed a little more room, so moved into a house around the corner. We still miss the sunsets and the cottage massively but we’ll retire there one day – and in the meantime we get huge pleasure from seeing others falling in love with the place and Whitstable, just as we did.” Owner, Jo
My Kip favourites

She loves
“Lazy lie-ins with incredible sea views; you listen to seagulls and clanking sailing boats, and watch the tides ebb and flow. Later, as the sun goes down, I love lying reading a book on the daybed in the nook under the stairs. My kids enjoy drawing the curtain over this space and having a little afternoon nap in there!”

We love
The ease of sitting in the front garden enjoying the sun and listening to records, while your kids play on the beach or pedestrian walkway in front of the house in complete safety.

You may not love
All 3 beds are doubles (no twins), one is on a mezzanine, and there’s only one bathroom, accessible through the main bedroom, so the house is best suited to a couple, a family or close friends. You can’t park directly outside, though you can hover to unload. No TV or dishwasher.

  • "This place is absolutely perfect. Right on the beach, beautifully decorated and each room has a distinct character. The best thing is the attention to detail - incredible bed sheets, hot water bottles, lovely soap, prosecco in the fridge, books, games and excellent cooking equipment. I've stayed here twice and can't wait to come back. Jo is a really great welcoming and relaxed host, which is reflected in the way it feels to be in the house."

  • “We absolutely loved staying in this beautiful home for the weekend. It was everything we wanted it to be. The communication was great and the house was just PERFECT. So stylish and unique.”

  • “The house is so beautiful, the little personal touches were perfect (hot water bottles on the beds, beautiful bath products.) The house was like a home from home. It was like going home to your friends.”

Sustainability.

Full recycling and Ecover products.

Surrounds.

  • Whitstable beach
  • Whitstable
  • Whitstable beach
  • Whitstable
  • Whitstable Beach Huts
  • Shell grotto
  • Hire the owners’ beach hut on the wilder West Beach and spend the day swimming and kayaking, then roast marshmallows over the firepit as the sun sets.
  • Kids (and big kids) can go paddle boarding and sailing at Oyster Coast watersports; a great place to learn. Warm up afterwards with coffee and homemade doughnuts at The Forge.
  • There are brilliant restaurants a short walk away. The owner loves Whitstable Oyster Stores and the Lobster Shack for super-fresh seafood – or walk all the way along the beach (45 mins) to the Michelin-starred Sportsman for a tasting menu then a tipsy taxi ride home!
  • The Old Town is full of independents – try Frank (a creatives’ gallery), Vita (quirky shoes), Sundae Sundae (the best ice cream) and Gatefield Sounds record store. Pick up takeaway crab sandwiches from Wheelers on the way home to eat in the garden.
  • Wander up the beach through the working harbour to Tankerton, and go to JOJO’s for a waistband-popping dinner. Stroll home via the local watering holes (The Duke, Pearsons and The Neptune) for live music and Kent Ales.
  • Hire bikes and cycle along the Crab and Winkle Way path to historic Canterbury, stopping for a delicious brunch at the Wild Goose food bar. In town, visit the famous Cathedral and Roman museum.
  • Day trip to Margate – just 20 mins – for the beautiful Turner Gallery, the shell grotto, and a wealth of vintage shops in the Old Town.

Details.

  • Terraced house overlooking the beach
  • Two double bedrooms plus an additional double bed on a mezzanine
  • Children welcome (cot, highchair, toys in the cupboards)
  • Shared bathroom with shower/tub, linen bathrobes and products from Austin Austin and Green & Spring
  • Kitchen with little table, fridge-freezer, Rayburn, portable hob, microwave with oven, blender and numerous coffee makers! Basic ingredients provided, including homemade jams
  • Lounge with record player and vinyl, plus a portable DVD player and lots of DVDs; bring your own screen
  • WiFi, radios and Ruark music system
  • Binoculars and a whole cupboard of books (everything from photography to music and film biographies, plus lots of fiction)
  • Masses of board games and art supplies for kids
  • Conservatory with dining table
  • Back garden with alfresco furniture and BBQ
  • Front garden with bench
  • Dog friendly (see FAQ)
  • Walk to pubs, shops, fish stalls and restaurants; drive to supermarkets
  • Free on-street parking, likely a few roads back from the beachfront
  • The owners lives around the corner, if you need anything
  • Beach hut for rent, with deckchairs, kayaks and a firebowl
  • Booking conditions: minimum stay 2 nights; security deposit and cleaning fee
  • Remember to pack: wellies for winter walks; beach towels for summer stays

30% deposit on booking, with the balance due 8 weeks prior to stay.
Cancellations permitted 8+ weeks prior to stay, with deposit refunded minus a £30 processing fee.
No refunds if booking cancelled within 8 weeks of stay.
See our full booking Ts & Cs

FAQs.

In 4pm / out 10am

Yes. Hourly trains run to Whitstable from St Pancras, Stratford and Victoria (journey is approximately 1 hr 15 minutes), and then you can walk to the house from the train station, and spend all weekend on foot.

Yes, up to 2 dogs are welcome for an additional cost of £30 per dog per stay. A big dog bed and cover for sofa is provided. Whitstable allows dogs in most shops, cafes and on the beach year round.

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