Latest news with #coastalviews
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Daily Mail
World's oldest bungalow has £2million price slashed again after languishing on the market for FOUR years... but six-bed home does boast stunning sea views
It was built during the reign of Queen Victoria and boasts stunning uninterrupted coastal views. But the 'world's oldest' bungalow has been languishing on the market for four years and has now seen its price slashed yet again. The six-bedroom property in Birchington, Kent, is now on offer for £1.25million, down from £2million in 2021. The property's owner first knocked the price down - to £1.5million - in 2023. It became Grade II listed in June 1986 and according to Historic England it is the only surviving example of the very first bungalows built in the UK. The architect of the building, John Taylor, designed the first modern British bungalows and built them in Kent, between 1869 and 1870. Taylor is famed for designing train stations on the London, Chatham and Dover Railway. The term 'bungalow' - meaning 'house in the Bengal style' originated in the Bengali region of India. Esteemed Victorian doctor Erasmus Wilson, who bought the first four of Taylor's bungalows, was among those who advocated for the name. According to Historic England, he said: 'The idea of Bungalows seems to take people's minds immensely. 'They are novel, quaint, pretty and perfect as to sanitary qualities. The best sanitary home for a family is a bungalow.' Wilson is said to have believed Birchington sea air was the best along Britain's coast. The village of Birchington, Kent, is on the north Thanet coastline and is well connected to surrounding seaside towns by bus, rail and road and has a Mainline link to London for commuters. Located on a cliff edge, the property brags a 'Manston' room, or bar, that would be ideal for entertaining. It also has a grand hallway almost 60 ft long in addition to an large rear garden with direct sea views. The listing of the 'oldest genuine bungalow' also says there is a fully fitted kitchen complete with an Aga and storage space in addition to a separate utility room and an L-shaped garage. Two of the bedrooms have en-suites in addition to a separate bathroom and WC and there is direct access to the promenade below the bungalow through a staircase in the garden that could be reinstated by the buyer. Its 'Tower' room could be turned into a home office if needed and there is also an annexe on the property that consists of a bedroom with a shower and toilet, a reception diner and attached kitchen. Ben Williams, estate agent at Fresh Estates, said: 'A lot of what they're building around here, down in this part of the country, what they're throwing up over a weekend is absolute rubbish. It won't be here in 50 years, let alone 150 years. 'Something like this will be, 100%. They just don't build them like they used to. 'It's the chance to buy a bit of history, unfortunately that seems to be a bit of a dying breed. 'When you look at the square footage compared to what else you're going to get for that sort of money around here, it's good value. 'It's unusual because it's the size of the plot. 'You have direct access to the promenade underneath which means you can walk from Birchington all the way to Margate pretty much on this promenade. The manicured lawn of the bungalow, which has been on the market for four years 'It's a family home but because of the annexe you can have potentially a multi-generational home. 'You'd almost want your parents in wheelchairs to be in the same house with you because it's so big you've got that space. 'You can house a family in there very comfortably, and your parents if you need to. That's who it's going to be attractive to. 'It's so big you need a family or multiple generations. It is tricky.' He explained the price the property was originally listed at was too expensive but now believes it to be much more reasonable. 'Originally when it came on the market he (the owner) wanted it on at £2.5 million,' he said. 'I've honestly not had that much interest in it. The market hasn't helped. It's been tough, it's been really really tough. 'I think now, when you look around at other things I'm selling at £1million, £1.5million, £1.75 million, this does look good value. 'It is because it's so unique that your buying pool is that much smaller. It will take a certain individual, probably someone from abroad, somebody who appreciates the history behind it and the fact it is the oldest bungalow in the world.'
BBC News
18-05-2025
- BBC News
Millions using Bay Cycle Way 10 years after launch
A cycle route that was launched ten years ago is now attracting more than three million people annually, the charity that created it has said. Bay Cycle Way connects Walney Island in Barrow-in-Furness with Glasson Dock, Lancaster, offering coastal views along its stretch. Morecambe Bay Partnership, which created the route with National Cycle Network custodian Sustrans in 2015, said the path had become very popular over the past decade thanks to its variety. Its 10th birthday will be marked with four fundraising challenges encouraging people to explore the route. The 81-mile (130km) path was created to help people take in the coastal views and bring tourism to the Cooper, from Morecambe Bay Partnership, said the route had been "a great success". More than one million cyclists are believed to have used Bay Cycle Way last year - up form about 67,000 when it launched. More than three million people in total used parts of the path over 2024, including walkers and cyclists. Alex Miller, Network Development Manager at Sustrans, said: "It's no surprise that the Bay Cycle Way has been such a success, and we're thrilled it continues to be so popular after ten years."He said a recent survey had shown more than 90% of people using the path had said it had improved their levels of physical activity and wellbeing. Ms Cooper said the beauty of the route and the fact it was not to strenuous contributed to its success."I think the landscape speaks for itself," she said. "You can hear the waves, you can see the sea birds but then it also takes you on quiet country lanes up to headlands and viewpoints and from there you get these amazing panoramas, enormous skies over the bay and shining sands."Morecambe Bay Partnership is celebrating the 10th birthday of the cycle way with a series of challenges. It is hoped the initiative will help raise more than £5,000 and establish the path as a potential location for fundraising events."We want people to take their time to explore this place and all the amazing scenery," Ms Cooper added. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
