The quaint village of Sandgate in Kent, though relatively unknown, has a lot to offer. Despite its small size, it’s known for its high property prices, rich history and intriguing tales.
This coastal village is a kaleidoscope of colour with its eccentric, brightly painted properties. From shades of lilac to green, turquoise to faded terracotta, every colour under the sun can be found here.
The architecture is certainly unique, with buildings of all shapes and sizes adding to the charm.
With its distinctive features, this village is perfect for a relaxed afternoon stroll, taking in the beautiful homes and gardens along the way.
According to Rightmove, the average property prices in Sandgate over the past year were £643,325 for detached houses, £387,000 for terraced houses, £271,528 for flats, and £308,333 for properties on Sandgate High Street, as reported by the Mirror, reports the Express.
Some of the most sought-after properties in the area are nestled on a hillside with views overlooking the English Channel. Properties also stretch along the Esplanade and extend inland.
Sandgate’s high street is bustling with life, filled with restaurants, cafes, bars, and pubs.
The village is teeming with activity, with the high street serving as a hub for food lovers and pub-goers. This charming coastal village may be small in size, but it’s big on character.
The bustling High Street brims with unique charm, housing independent shops full of gifts, furniture, and antiques, alongside a plethora of quality cafes, restaurants and pubs. Meanwhile, the vast beach is a magnet for dog walkers, cyclists, and joggers; it offers stunning vistas across the Channel and maintains a tranquil vibe in spite of its popularity.
“The rolling seafront hosts a variety of independently run artisan shops,” John Page, branch director at Miles and Barr in Folkestone, remarked. He highlighted the area’s eclectic appeal: “The quirky nature of the area means that no two homes are the same.””
Indeed, splashes of vibrant colours and distinctive architectures mark the locality. Each property stands out with its own hue, shape, and size, contributing to the village’s enchanting atmosphere.
Steeped in history that harks back to Henry VIII’s era, the village invites visitors on guided walks to explore its intriguing buildings and discover tales of its most illustrious inhabitants.
Amongst its historical treasures, the village proudly displays five Martello towers and includes Sandgate Castle within its folds.
A leisurely saunter up the High Street may lead to a delightful discovery: a distinctive blue building bearing a plaque, signalling the birthplace of the much-loved British comedy actress Hattie Jacques, famous for her appearances in the iconic ‘Carry On’ film series.
The culinary scene is just as varied as the village itself, offering an array of dining options ranging from snug cafes for a quick bite to elegant restaurants for a more refined meal, ensuring there’s a taste to satisfy every preference.
The charming town has become a hotspot for foodies, boasting an array of high-quality dining establishments such as the Boat House cafe, celebrated for its impeccable Tripadvisor profile and sumptuous offerings that include breakfast and lunch against the scenic backdrop of the beach.
For those in pursuit of the quintessential British pub experience, The Ship Inn is essential, with its warm traditional setting, a culinary selection to savour, and a sun terrace on the first-floor presenting unbeatable channel vistas. Meanwhile, the much-lauded Sandgate Vaults, inside an erstwhile bank edifice, dishes out modern gastronomy with an innovative flair.
Further culinary delights can be found at local haunts like The Little Fish Shop, which maintains a beloved status amongst both residents and tourists, as well as High Street’s cosy cafes including Loaf and Orchard Lane Coffee House.
Orchard Lane, operated by the husband-and-wife duo Jon and Joanna Lane, has been a community mainstay for upwards of half a decade, delivering exquisite specialty coffee sourced from the foremost UK roasters alongside an exclusively plant-based assortment of sweets and bread made on the premises.
Jon Lane shared: “We focus on serving speciality coffee from the best coffee roasters in the UK.”
“We also offer a 100 per cent plant-based selection of cakes and pastries made by the team in-house, and the famous Kanelbullar (Swedish buns) from Swedish baker Malin, in neighbouring Deal. We have lived in Sandgate for more than 10 years and were keen to share our passion for good coffee and friendly service with the local community.”
“The village is a wonderful place to be year round, the locals are great, really friendly people and we enjoy sharing the street with other independent businesses. There’s a definite sense of community here in Sandgate and we’re pleased to be a part of it. It feels very safe.”
Local entrepreneur Toni Millen, who runs Workshop Number 29, a unique lifestyle and vintage clothing shop on Sandgate High Street, expressed her love for the community: “I love the human part of being a shopkeeper, remembering people’s names and buying things that I know some of my customers will like.”
She added warmth to the area’s reputation by saying: “That is what it is like in Sandgate, everyone knows each other and looks after each other. It feels very safe, I know that my kids can go over to Orchard Lane, the coffee house across the road and they know my kids by name.”
Residents have repeatedly spoken up about the robust community spirit in Sandgate, which stands in stark contrast to many areas where community bonds are eroding. When enquired about the best thing about living in Sandgate, one local resident simply motioned towards the sea and said “that”.
John Page highlighted the charm of Sandgate, noting: “Sandgate is a beautiful coastal village in the Folkestone and Hythe area. With a wide breadth of excellent schools at both junior and grammar levels, the village has become extremely popular with families.”
He pointed out its practical allure for commuters as well: “With Folkestone railway station nearby, where travel time to London sits at just under an hour, Sandgate is also attractive to those looking to commute too.”