Chalkwood, St Margarets At Cliffe, Kent

Energy efficiency was key to the design of this contemporary six-bedroom house in St Margaret’s at Cliffe, Kent, a village forming part of the designated South Foreland Heritage Coast. It was completed in 2016 and spans some 3,500 sq ft across two storeys. A large, landscaped garden of 0.6 acres wraps around the house, surrounded by quiet National Trust-managed land and set against a backdrop of breathtaking sea views.



Environmental Performance



Chalkwood has been designed with rigorous, Passivhaus-standard eco credentials. Its southerly orientation maximises light and heat gain, while large-format glazing on each floor means that internal heating is supplemented by the release of thermal mass from the floor plates, including in winter. The house is air-tight and well-insulated. Clad with larch wood, it has an efficient filtered ventilation and heat recovery system (MVHR) that utilises the heat from spent air to warm the fresh air filtered into the building.



All windows are triple glazed with powder-coated steel frames on the outside - suitable for marine exposure - and beechwood inside. The roof and rainwater system are made from environmentally friendly zinc, the benefits of which include durability (a potential 100-year-plus lifespan), as well as resistance to corrosion, rust and UV degradation.



The Tour



Set on a leafy plot off a country lane that forms part of National Cycle Route 1, Chalkwood is accessed via a private driveway. Mature trees and green lawns frame the house, enhancing its quiet and secluded feel. The larch-clad façade integrates the building with its surroundings, while multiple volumes and staggered rooflines lend dynamic character.



Beneath a porch, the front door opens to a bright lobby that leads to the large central reception hall. High ceilings and large windows invite light in from several directions, amplifying the sense of openness. An understated palette of white walls and white-washed natural hardwood floorboards shifts the focus to the immersive views of the surrounding landscape. Beechwood doors and window frames add tonal warmth, while light grey tiles extend underfoot.



From here is the open-plan living area, where sliding glass doors open into the garden, enhancing the flow between the indoor and out. Triple-aspect windows and a skylight make the room bright and airy in the summer, while a contemporary Wanders 'Solea' gas hearth stove lends a cosy ambiance come winter. An adjacent atrium is set beneath a dramatic full-height void and wide glass panels that keep it in unbroken dialogue with the outdoors.



The bespoke L-shaped kitchen/breakfast room is fitted with neutral shaker-style units and Minerva worktops. There are integrated appliances including a Stoves range cooker, a Bosch dishwasher and Bosch fridge. The kitchen is spacious and seats five people comfortably around a breakfast table. Above the drainboard sink, a large window frames views of the English Channel. An adjacent utility room is conveniently located for access to the garden via the rear lobby - ideal for outdoor chores and storing outerwear.



There are also two flexible bedrooms or additional reception areas on this floor: one with an en suite WC room, the other with direct access to the garden.



A contemporary open-tread staircase leads to the galleried landing on the first floor, with full-height vaulted ceilings and a balustrade overlooking the atrium below. Bifold doors have been used to allow the flexibility of closing off different areas as desired.



There are four quiet bedrooms upstairs, all with uplifting views of the foliage outside, generous storage space and unifying floorboards. The principal bedroom is at the front, with a well-appointed en suite shower room. The remaining three bedrooms are at the rear; one has a door to the pristine shared bathroom, otherwise accessed from the landing.



Outdoor Space



Created by landscape designers, the expansive grounds of 0.6 acres have distinct zones for different uses. These include a sanctuary garden, a vegetable patch, a potting shed and a handy tool shed (painted black in the Dungeness manner), a lawned area, a pond and 15 fruit trees. The site has been well-integrated into its natural surroundings and is home to an abundance of wildlife, wildflowers and native planting.



There are also dedicated areas for lounging and outdoor dining that utilise the staggered form of the building to create sheltered sections. A terrace wraps part of the house and is an ideal spot for outdoor dining and for enjoying the sun and the ever-changing sea views.



The Area



Chalkwood sits St Margaret’s at Cliffe, in a tranquil spot on top of mesmerising white cliffs. Surrounded by open farmland and woodland, the village centre is a four-minute drive from the house and well-served by essential amenities. Deal and Dover are both a short drive away, providing a multitude of places to eat and shop.



Its position within a designated heritage coast, and its proximity to National Trust-managed land, provide a wealth of walking routes. The National Cycle Route 1 (NR1) from Dover to the Highlands of Scotland also runs past the driveway.



The centre of Deal can be reached in 14 minutes by car, or by a connecting coastal footpath overlooking the English Channel. The town is well known for its excellent culinary scene: The Rose Hotel offers stylish rooms and an award-winning restaurant, while bistro-style Frog and Scot and its sister wine bar, Le Pinardier, are just down the road. Merchant of Relish, The Black Pig and Jenkins and Sons are the go-to for groceries, meat and fish respectively. For local produce, there is also a fantastic Saturday farmers’ market. The popular Updown farmhouse lies a few miles inland and serves modern European cuisine in a 17th-century former farmstead.



There are several schools in the area, including the local St Margaret’s at Cliffe Primary School, and Kingsdown and Ringwould Church of England Primary School. Also nearby are Dover Grammar School for Girls, Dover Grammar School for Boys, and St Edmund’s Catholic School.



London can be reached in 75-80 minutes by car. The closest railway station is Martin Mill, which provides direct routes to London St Pancras via the HS1 high-speed train. There is easy access by car to the national motorway network via the A2 and M2. Dover ferry port is a 10-minute drive from the house, with links to the continent.



Council Tax Band: G