Many moons ago, for Justin’s birthday, I booked us a stay in a lighthouse cottage in Kent. It was a beautiful building and a memorable experience watching the comings & goings in the English Channel.
A surprising number of lighthouses and lighthouse homes are available as holiday lets; and there are even a few currently on the market if you’ve always dreamed of living in one!
We’ve selected three of them and have shared the details of each below.
• Spectacular panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean
• Peaceful remote location
• Fabulous scenic walks
• Close to a beautiful award winning beaches
• Oil fired central heating
The Engine Room is a cosy one bedroom mid-terrace home, converted from the former engine room, and has amazing views. It’s one of three unique homes on the market situated in the remote Strathy Point Lighthouse complex – there are six properties within the Lighthouse, which was decommissioned in 2012.
‘Hornblower Lodge’ stands on just under 1 acre of land between Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay along the ‘Cleveland Way’ a historic trail popular with walkers and tourists alike. This property offers flexible accommodation and currently comprises a spacious four-bedroom family home and self-contained one bedroom holiday cottage.
The land was purchased by the Trinity House Corporation in the 1850s and by the end of the decade the plot on which Hornblower Lodge sits housed one of two neighbouring lighthouses. At the turn of the century the lighthouse was demolished and replaced with Whitby Foghorn Station.
Auction date: Tuesday 14th February 2023.
• Being sold by GOTO Online Auction
• Buy-it-now option available
• Buyer’s fees apply
• Unique opportunity to own a lighthouse
• 360 degree observatory
• Six bedroom main lighthouse & two bedroom cottage
• Dual living
• Five reception rooms
• Pool, sauna and games room
• Excellent revenue from holiday let business
A truly one off, historic building. One of only a handful of privately owned Lighthouses. The dream property to own.
This gorgeous and unique home sits nestled among beautiful cliffs and high above the sea near Dale, Pembrokeshire, with unbeatable views and the absolute perfect location.
St. Ann’s Head Lighthouse was built in 1844 to guide shipping bound for Milford Haven, replacing two leading lights established in 1714.
It’s been a long while since we did one of our ‘Out & About’ posts.
There’s been a big house move and lots of DIY jobs to do recently. Then, of course, the Covid restrictions we’ve had to contend with this year. So, all in all, it hasn’t been the best time for getting out and exploring. However, when time and opportunity allows, we still head off for walks or a short drive somewhere.
We have lots of new things and places to discover. One such location that’s been on our list since we moved to Wales is Ynyslas.
It’s a stunning area that encompasses a multitude of habitats for wildlife… and people!
There’s both sandy and pebble beaches, dunes, salt marsh, raised peat bog and grassland contained within it.
We arrived on a perfect sunny day, received a warm welcome from a warden and parked on the beach car park (normally £2 all day, but free on this occasion).
There are a number of way-marked trails that you can take – or just ‘freestyle’ and wander around.
Some people appeared to unpack chairs from the car and just plonk themselves right where they parked. However, you didn’t have to move far to get a bit more space if so desired.
We walked the 2½-mile ‘Ynyslas Trail’ which took in the dunes, beach, estuary and salt marsh, thus giving a nice taster of the scenery and various habitats. (It also means that you’ve ‘earned’ your cup of tea or ice-cream at the end).
Having done that, we spent a couple of hours on the beach taking in the fabulous views both out to sea and inland.
We really loved the place… and it’s less than half an hour’s drive from our new house.
We’ll be returning often to explore further or just relax with a picnic.
Coastal décor brings back memories of hot, lazy summer days, filled with the warmth of the sun and the light sea breeze. Who wouldn’t like to live like that all year long? The climate of carefree, slow life seems a perfect idea for all of us. Why not, then, try to restore the ambience of a sunny sea resort in our own house? Decorations, furniture and other fancy elements can create an ideal coastal climate in your living room or bedroom! Below we provide some creative tips and inspirations on how to introduce a coastal theme into your interior.
Choose natural materials
Materials such as linen, canvas, ceramics and wood are often associated with natural, simple lifestyle. That’s why they’re useful in making a perfect coastal-style interior. You can choose for example linen curtains, cotton cushions and wooden furniture – chairs, tables and bookshelves. To boost the impression of a natural interior, focus on natural colours – shades of white, blue, grey, brown or green are associated with the earth, beach and sea. Ideally, choose two or three colours and experiment with their shades to get a perfect combination.
Arrange a balcony or terrace
A coastal-style house is nothing without a properly decorated balcony or terrace! Don’t worry about the size or design – it’s enough to simply add a few seaside loving plants, a small coffee table and wicker sunbeds or deckchairs! A little space to enjoy a morning coffee or an evening drink is essential for this type of home. If you don’t have your personal space to do it, you can think of renting or buying a summerhouse which would be a perfect place to slow down. If you look for some offers, check out The Pattisal Group website.
Make your house comfortable
Think of surfers’ lifestyles – they put comfort first. Sipping drinks in a local cocktail bar, sunbathing on the beach, taking long walks along the coast – try to copy their lifestyle and make your interior comfy and cosy. Invest in high-quality sofas and armchairs, add some soft blankets and cushions – your house is a place where you spend a lot of time, so why not make it as pleasurable as possible? Seashells, driftwood and sea glass also create a relaxing, coastal vibe.
Pay attention to the details
Sometimes the smallest details are what count the most when enhancing a space. If you want to decorate your house in coastal style, choose some simple wall art and photo frames. Hang pictures or paintings of nature – a view of the beach, ocean or forest will be relaxing and pleasurable to look at especially after a tiring day.
Leave lots of space
Even the most coastal-like interior will look artificial if it’s cluttered and dark. That’s why one of the rules to follow is to leave a lot of free space in the interior. Remove all the unnecessary items or furniture that make the rooms look smaller and dated. Remember that coastal lifestyle is all about space and freedom – you’ll feel much better in a spacious, light interior! Try to think only about the crucial elements of interior design; if it’s the living room, choose a comfy sofa, a coffee table, possibly an armchair and a bookshelf or cupboard – there’s no need to clutter it with unnecessary furniture that won’t be used.
Think about plants and flowers
Plants and flowers can be a refreshing element to an interior. When it comes to coastal style, they’re almost inevitable! Sand and stone decorations will blend well with the green design. For a more economical result, mix fresh cut flowers with dried ones to have a greater, more dramatic effect.
Make the light natural
Coastal style is associated with long, bright, sunny days. That’s why it’s important to adapt your lighting to it. Try to allow your house to get enough natural light – if the windows are small, don’t cover them with large, thick curtains, allow sunlight to shine through. Think about the lighting during the evening too – bulbs with warm, soft white light will work best. Additionally, hang paper lanterns or fairy lights to create a cosy night-time atmosphere!
Personalise
Remember – your personal preference is what matters most in interior design! Think which elements you find the most pleasing or simply good-looking in a living room, bedroom or other space. Add your favourite travel snaps or family pictures, meaningful decorations and other pieces – what’s important is conjuring up happy memories.
Decorating your house with a coastal theme is a great idea for bringing a fresh feel to an interior at a relatively low cost. When you follow some rules and choose matching furniture, natural colours and materials, designing your new interior will be very easy. A nice balcony or terrace and functional lighting are other elements that create an ideal nautical space. Finally, personalise the space by adding plants, pebbles, sand and some other favourite bits – experimenting is the key to a perfect interior, isn’t it?
This is the second in my roving reports from Trinidad. Last time, I checked out the street food on offer. This week, I’m taking a trip around the island visiting popular and less well known Trinidad beaches.
During the 3 weeks that I was over there, I was lucky enough to go to Chaguaramas, Maracas, Las Cuevas and Mayaro – only a tiny proportion of the beaches the country has to offer. I reached out to a bunch of old school friends and my aunt, who was visiting at the same time, for images of the rest of the coastline. The response was overwhelming so I’ve managed to assemble a fabulous collection of photos – over a hundred… it was a true group effort!
You’ll grasp the varied history of the island from the diverse names of the places that I mention. Trinidad – with its indigenous Amerindian people – was colonised by the French, Spanish and finally, the British.
I’ve put the photographs into some semblance of order, beginning at Maracas in the north and travelling clockwise around the coast. There are even a couple of short film clips to add some extra island flavour!
Maracas
Probably the most popular beach in Trinidad – especially at the weekend. There’s a huge car park, changing facilities and plenty of food and drinks places. Deckchairs can be hired and there are safety flags and lifeguards on duty.
A little, almost hidden away, beach between Maracas and Las Cuevas. Because of this, it’s always more chilled and less crowded. The sea water is also calmer in this spot; therefore suitable for children and less confident swimmers.
Las Cuevas (Spanish for ‘The Caves’) was a lot more developed than the last time I’d visited; granted, that was way back in the 1980s sometime. There’s now a large car park, changing rooms and lifeguards. We visited midweek – so there were few people there. We stayed about 3 hours, leaving around 2pm. One thing I remember from the 80s though, the sandflies come out in force at sundown – I doubt that’s changed – bring your insect repellent if you’re visiting later in the day.
The name derives from the French for ‘washerwoman’. You access Blanchisseuse either via the North Coast Road or driving north from Arima via a twisting & turning road which passes the Asa Wright Nature Centre, a destination I highly recommend. Head for L’Anse Martin Bay to the West, Marianne Beach and River to the East and 3 Pools and Avocat Waterfall an inland hike from the river.
The Grande Riviere river empties out into Grande Riviere Bay. The beach is renowned for the huge leather-back turtles that return year after year to lay their eggs in the sand. Because of this spectacular natural phenomenon, the area has developed into an eco-tourism destination.
Toco is the most north-easterly place in Trinidad and the closest point to sister island, Tobago. It’s a popular spot with surfers, being the windy, rocky confluence of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. At the end of the road stands Galera Point Lighthouse.
I filmed a few seconds our journey to Mayaro through the rear windscreen of the minibus on our way to our trip to Shangri-la Vacation Home. Mile upon mile of coconut tree-lined road hugging the Atlantic shore, in parts, a few narrow (and, at times, perilous) feet away.
Manzanilla, as I said, is located along the Atlantic coast. The sea can be rough and choppy with dangerous currents – especially at high tide.
The coast of Manzanilla meets Mayaro at the bump that is Point Radix, the location of the spectacular 300-acre Ben Deloraine Nature Reserve. I’m not going to lie, I went all the way down to Mayaro with family but didn’t go near the beach or the sea; I stayed liming round the Shangri-La pool.
The main reason was because of the sargassum. It’s not as serious as it was last year, but it’s still piled up along the tide line and floats around in the sea. Another justification for me not embarking on the less than 5-minute walk to the beach wasn’t because I was lazy. No, it’s because I was stung by a man o’war jellyfish as a child in the sea at Mayaro; an experience I’ll never forget. But don’t let me put you off – Mayaro is a beautiful place!
Moruga is a small fishing community with a number of claims to fame. It is said to be the spot where Christopher Columbus landed when he ‘discovered’ Trinidad. The La Ruffin Bridge at Moruga is the only suspension bridge in use in Trinidad. It was originally built to transport the cocoa from the nearby plantations to market. Its maintenance was lacking – and local fishermen used it to moor their boats – resulting, in 1993, in its collapse into the river as a van was travelling over it. Luckily, it is now on the Heritage Asset Register. The town is home to the Trinidad Moruga scorpion – the 2nd-hottest chilli in the world.
Icacos is the most south-westerly point of Trinidad and therefore the polar opposite of Toco. It’s a calm peninsula of sandy beach bordered by a parade of coconut trees, a stone’s throw across the Gulf of Paria from Venezuela. Head for Columbus Bay where you’ll spot the Three Sisters rock formations out at sea.
The sea around the capital city isn’t necessarily a place to go for a swim. Rather, it’s arguably one of the best places in the country to pull over in your car – perhaps with a bite to eat – to watch the stunning sunsets this part of the coast enjoys.
Chaguaramas is a stretch of coastline that lies just to the west of Port of Spain. This makes it a place where people go (especially Macqueripe), mid-week, for a ‘quick dip’ to unwind after a day at work. It’s very accessible; Western Main Road runs closely alongside. The area is where sailing types congregate; a number of boat yards and marinas exist such as Small Boats, Power Boats and the Sailing Association.
Or ‘Dung-de-Ayelans’! Not a ‘beach’ as such – and only accessible by boat – Down-the-Islands is a little collection of mostly uninhabited islands in the Bocas (Spanish for ‘mouth.). They are touching distance from Venezuela. The islands include Monos (Spanish for ‘monkey’), Gaspar Grande, Huevos (Spanish for ‘eggs’) and Chacachacare (its original Amerindian name); the last being a former leper colony.
