In the pretty seaside town of Deal, this cottage has a story to tell. 200 years old and tucked into a line of pastel houses, it was once the residence of a 19th-century ship’s pilot in the port of Deal. It’s cute as a button inside and out with a motif of greens, blues and yellows whispering of the seaside location. Flagstone floors retain some sense of the old world and the old wooden staircase is pure fisherman’s-cottage-vibes. The kitchen may look charmingly rustic and ramshackle, but it has everything you need to cook up every meal of the day. Books filling the wall press and a wood-burning stove add an air of cosiness to the living room, where you can still picture the pilot returning from his ship through the old front door. Our favourite spot has to be the suntrap of a courtyard garden outside, set up with a barbecue and chairs and table for the last of the evening sun. Nestled in Deal’s beautiful conservation area, it’s just a minute’s walk to the seafront from here.

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