A small collection of unusual properties available to rent can be found along the beachfront in Dungeness, Kent — making for the perfect out-of-the-box choice for your next getaway
If you’re seeking a break from the monotony of traditional hotel rooms and predictable Airbnbs, consider making your next holiday truly unforgettable by staying in a piece of history.
You could stay in a historic coastguard lookout perched above the waves or a beautifully repurposed railway carriage steeped in nostalgia. In the unique landscape of Dungeness, Kent, you’ll find an array of quirky rentals that promise an unforgettable escape from the mundane. Imagine spending your break in a 150-year-old watch tower or a 1950s HM Coastguard lookout.
For those with a taste for the truly unusual, there’s even a former foghorn testing station complete with its own steel tower, or a World War Two pump station — now equipped with underfloor heating and panoramic windows — which played a role in the D-Day landings by pumping fuel through pipes to France.
When operational, PS1 used to pump fuel through undersea pipes to France to support the D-Day landings. The unique building has even featured in Elle Decoration UK, back in September 2017.
Another accommodation, named ‘Radar’, used to be the site of a research base for triangulated radar. It sits on the Dungeness Nature Reserve and looks out across miles of shingle beach, with plants, birds, the sea and the sky. It has an open-plan living space, with a wood burner, and even includes a sauna.
North Vat is one of the larger properties Bloom Stays offers. It is an award-winning contemporary home, that features 360-degree views. It was formerly a fisherman’s cottage, but now is a black timber house which has been purposefully designed with comfort and relaxation in mind, featuring double-height living, dining areas and an outside eating area.
Among the most eccentric offerings are ‘El Ray’ and ‘Sunray’, both incorporating vintage railway carriages into their design. In ‘El Ray’, a 19th-century carriage has been ingeniously converted into a sleek modern kitchen, boasting all the essentials including an oven, hob, and plenty of storage space. It also features a south-facing sunny deck, which is built to provide shelter from the winds and views looking out onto the unique shingle split — dubbed as Britain’s only desert.
The property’s listing boasts: “It is this juxtaposition of ancient and modern that makes El Ray truly unique.”
Meanwhile, ‘Sunray’ offers a cosy living room set within an old carriage, complete with comfy sofas, armchairs, and even a TV for a touch of home comfort amidst the extraordinary setting.
The property’s listing boasts: “The magnificent original railway carriage at first impression appears to be passing through the middle of the building from the lounge into the master bedroom – almost as though you are looking into a moment caught in time. A really fascinating architectural design to behold!”
These one-of-a-kind homes are listed with Bloom Stays, a home letting agency featuring spots throughout Kent and Sussex.
