North Vat

Dungeness

Award-winning contemporary home settled on the unique shingle beach at Dungeness. With 360-degree spectacular views from the many picture windows and a breathtaking outlook from the rear directly to the sea. North Vat is a wide-screen oasis of calm and beauty.

Once a fisherman’s cottage, this magical black timber house (by architectural practice Rodic Davidson) has been designed with your comfort and relaxation in mind. A large double-height living, and dining area opens out onto a privately fenced shingle garden and outside eating haven. An exquisite glass atrium connects two double bedrooms, each elegantly and individually detailed for your well-being. The mezzanine master bedroom (with en-suite), spanning the top floor of the house benefits from a spectacular view across the sea to France and the daily ‘surreal’ light show at sunrise and sunset, experienced directly from your welcoming bed.

Imagine sitting by the wood-burning fire, underneath our thick blankets, taking in the ever-changing desert landscape or playing board games with your family and friends. Or sharing a romantic Summer dinner and enjoying the day's end with the doors and the windows wide open inviting the outside in. Or perhaps, you need some space to read and to reflect in the peaceful corners of North Vat - quiet time. It is all possible here.

This exceptional house situated in one of Kent’s most inspiring nature reserves and accessible to the multiple attractions in the immediate area is a wonderful holiday destination for you, your family and friends and even your well-mannered dog!

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Facilities

Beach Houses

Bluetooth Speaker

Board Games

Child Friendly

Coastal

Coffee Machine

Cot

Dishwasher

0.1 Miles To The Beach

13.9 Miles To The Nearest Train Station

0.5 Miles To The Pub

3 Miles To The Shops

Enclosed Garden

Fire

Garden

Ground Floor Bedroom

Hairdryer

Highchair

Iron & Board

Linen & Towels

Microwave

Parking - Off Street

Pet Friendly

Sea Views

Smart TV

Smoke Detectors

Stair Gates

Starter Logs Provided

Towels

Tumble Dryer

Vacuum Cleaner

Washing Machine

60Mb Wi-Fi

Woodburning Stove

About the House

North Vat: sleeps 6 with 1 reception, 3 bedrooms, 1 en-suite, plus a wet room, enclosed shingle beach garden and off street parking for several cars. The house is over two floors, with the majority of rooms on the lower level.
Most of the home is open plan, including the open mezzanine master bedroom. Natural light floods in most rooms due to the design there are few blinds in the bedroom areas.

Ground Floor
Living area, with kitchen and stunning bespoke wooden dining table with seating for 8. Underfloor heating. Log burning stove with start logs and kindling.
Kitchen area, double electric oven and hob, built in fridge/freezer, compact dishwasher, Nespresso coffee machine (and cafetiere), hidden storage incorporated into the drawers.
Large screen TV, Wi-Fi.
Pet friendly features include a doggy drawer, with treats, cushion, dog towels, walking water bowls and much more.
Washing machine and mini ironing boards and small steam iron are tucked away.
Wet room, with overhead shower, WC and sink.
Bedroom 2 (sleeps 2) Double bedroom hanging rail, under bed drawer, dual window views. Velux peep window in ceiling (no blind)
Bedroom 3 (sleeps 2 ) Double bedroom, hanging rail, dual aspect views

First Floor
Master bedroom suite (sleeps 2) with glass gallery balustrade, views of the sea. Bench seating, library wall of books, wardrobe and under bed drawers. En suite shower room, WC and basin. (no blinds)

Outside
Enclosed garden, beach area.
Folding chairs, trestle table can be brought outside (fair weather only)

Services
Electric underfloor heating throughout
Log burning stove
Starlink High Speed Wi-Fi

Bright home, not much in the way of blinds on all areas due to the design aspects.

Things You Need to Know

Towels and linen are provided.
We can provide you with a variety of recommended eateries, please get in touch for further details.
A travel cot and a highchair that attaches to a chair (16 months + only) can be provided, There is also a baby/pet gate for the stairs - Please ensure this is requested at the time of booking.
Starlink High Speed Wifi
Reasonable mobile reception, depending on the provider.
Up to 2 pets are allowed. A drawer of pet goodies and towels are supplied. If you wish to bring a pet please let us know. Please note additional pet charges are £35 per pet per week (or part of) will be charged.
Underfloor heating.
Parking is off-road for a couple of cars - care must be taken not to drive onto the loose shingle.
All lower rooms have curtains/covers for the windows. Room two has a velux without a blind. The Master bedroom is open to the sitting room so light is to be expected.
Please note check in is 4.00pm and check out is 10am.
House Rules

We would respectfully ask that the following house rules are adhered to, to avoid any damages to our beautiful holiday home. Should any damages arise please note charges may be taken from your security deposit.

Please ensure you vacate on time to allow our housekeepers to enter the property and prepare it for the next guests.
Smoking is not permitted in the property at any time.
Please note for insurance purposes the number of guests must not exceed the total occupancy of the house.
For fire safety reasons please do not use any candles in the property.
Please note quiet hours are between 11pm and 9am. Please be respectful to neighbours.
Please note parties and loud music are not permitted.

In the Area

Dungeness is located in an unspoilt area on the southernmost corner of the bay that stretches from Folkestone to Rye. There are some beautiful walks to explore the wild landscape and experience the beauty of the sea and the enormous skies. The Old Lighthouse is a popular visitor attraction, as is the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch steam railway which passes close by with the miniature steam train meandering along the coast to Hythe, a wonderful way to enjoy Kent’s scenery. There are two pubs on the reserve, The Britannia and The Pilot, and the unique ’Fish Hut’ selling caught-on-the-day fresh fish. The wonderful former smuggler’s town of Rye with its choice of boutique shops, cafes and restaurants is well worth a visit and only 10 miles away. For more recommendations check out our travel guide on Dungeness.

What about the extra bits to complete your break away?

Extras and Experiences

Reviews

Unusual and beautiful 4.8/5

Unusual and beautiful house which maximises the views of Dungeness Nature Reserve. We appreciated the good quality towels, bedding and crockery etc. Also the honesty box for logs which saved lots of hassle. A perfect place to hunker down with supplies and relax. We plan to visit again.

Susan Tullett | 15 December 2024

Beautiful and stunning views from this property 4.7/5

North Vat is a fabulous property in a fantastic position on Dungeness, an absolute gem of a place to totally escape every day life! We loved being cosy in the house, great log fire and looking out onto the stark desert / perfect evening. Bring everything you need and snuggle down, warm and welcoming place, all mod cons.

Lynn Pettengell | 12 November 2024

Not Completely Suitable for Disabled or Mobility Issues 4.7/5

The house was in a fantastic location, with a clear uninterrupted view of the English Channel, sunrise and sunsets. The garden was lovely, and the interior comfortable and clean. We had some issues and have a few suggestions for future (as we would love to stay again). The downstairs wet room, could do with some handrails, and the shower seat should really be a fold down one fixed to the wall, as this would be much safer than the free standing stool (which my elderly parents did not trust to have a shower). The other big issue, is the bottom stair, this is quite dangerous because it is the same colour as the grey tiles (so blends into the floor) one can easily miss the step (in fact I did and fell to my knees). It should really be the same colour as the rest of the staircase, so could easily be painted (it could also do with the sharp corners being sliced off). The supply of the dinosaur stickers for the windows was appreciated, and we did use them on the large panes by the downstairs bedrooms. We also felt a bit exposed from the large window, between the downstairs bedrooms, and the front door, and would have preferred a covering on these (we actually placed the two clothes rails and blankets across from the two bedroom doors to block that window). All in all, we had a lovely holiday, and most likely stay again in the future,

Stephen Sutton | 20 September 2024

Wonderful Dungeness 4/5

Excellent service for last minute booking. Fabulous location and amazing architect designed accommodation.

Frances Stratford | 07 September 2024

Unique Stay 4.5/5

The most delightful haven to escape. Incredible property with fabulous views . A thoughtfully designed house that allows the landscape inside , instilling a sense of calm! Pub up the road is a more down earth bonus!

Sandra Fox | 20 August 2024

Problems with booking site 4/5

I enjoyed my stay at North Vat very much. However, with the strange problems I had with your office when I couldnt understand why I was sent an email confusing me about payment, I was disappointed that some recognition and compensation for the time I wasted trying to get you to understand your own procedures and the anxiety I felt was not made. The house was all I expected. The management of bookings was very poor.

Boni Craig | 17 August 2024

Perfect location 5/5

North Vat is in such an excellent location. Stylish bright house,( you definitely need the eye masks), well equipped, a great house for exploring the area. The gorgeous big windows bring the outside in, whatever the weather. We had typical mixed British weather & it was so great to watch from the comfort of the house. Highly recommend.

Helen McGowan | 24 June 2024

a weekend in april 4.3/5

north vat is a beautiful property which my guests and i enjoyed staying in. there were six people staying at the house,which is probably two too many,and everyone loved the design and the location. every window is like a picture postcard and watching the weather and sky changing around you one of the highlights of the stay.

steven haugh | 16 April 2024

North Vat 4/5

We absolutely love Dungeness and really pushed the boat out to stay in one of its premium rentals. The house and location is great. It is stylish and well equipped. The lack of a second blind in the bedroom nearest the sea is strange and does not afford privacy. On arrival there were very dirty fingerprints on the downstairs shower room door and scuffs to the paint work up the staircase and in the mezzanine bedroom which was disappointing. The WiFi is woefully slow and quite frankly unacceptable by todays standards. There had been adequate coverage elsewhere on the estate and 4G just outside the door! Living room curtain covering dirty and frayed. The above niggles did not represent the quality expected for such a high rental price.

Clare Swann | 06 April 2024

Dungeness never fails to delight, with it's moody weather and fantastic landscape 4.8/5

North Vat is in a amazing location, with stunning views of the sea and surrounding area. The building is minimalist but comfortable and designed so that you where ever you position yourself you have can see the glory that is Dungeness.

Gill Kent | 11 December 2023

Fabulous stay 4.8/5

We very much enjoyed our stay , the house is warm and comfortable , in a stunning location. Thanks for a great stay

Louise Hamblin | 07 November 2023

Magic 4.8/5

Three nights at North Vat and we left feeling calm, at peace and just a little sad. A beautiful house where every window frames a different view of magical Dungeness. We'ed like to go back soon!

David Smart | 07 October 2023

North Vat 5/5

An amazing space in an amazing location. Exceeded expectations. Cannot recommend enough and will definitely book again in the future.

Stuart Williams | 05 August 2023

Weird and wonderful 4.8/5

An amazingly designed house and in a location with an uninterrupted view of the sea, across the shingle. It made the most of the strange environment that is Dungeness. It was a stone's throw away from a great pub with a retro menu and close to the Snack Shack and Fish Hut. So much fresh sea food to eat. There's miles of lovely walks - and the brutalist-esque architecture of the power station to admire.

Maggie Mitchell | 04 June 2023

5/5

A very comfortable and cosy stay. Thoroughly enjoyed ourselves here, beautiful retreat.

Alec and Leah | 22 May 2023

5/5

A wonderful and unique location. A lovely house, comfortable and clean with excellent reading material. Enjoyed the seclusion.

Anna and family | 18 May 2023

North VAT 4.5/5

The property was as described, was in an outstanding location and well equipped. There is, however little sound attenuation and any early bird will wake all other occupants creating a flock of early birds!

Guest | 09 May 2023

Blooming Wonderful 5/5

Love Dungeness, love Bloom Stays and love North Vat. Great location, great customer service and a great house.

Robert McGregor | 04 May 2023

A very nice house 4.2/5

Love the house walking on the stone beach very difficult Local pub great but had to drive there as the walking not easy Thanks John

John White | 24 April 2023

Perfect Location 5/5

Just spent three fabulous days at North Vat for a wedding at the Old Lighthouse. The property is in a great location and very well appointed. Would definately recommend.

Nicolle Bruce | 02 April 2023

Blooming Brilliant Birthday (sorry for the pun)! 5/5

We had a faultless stay at North Vat for my birthday - even the weather was great (for early February). The booking process was easy and communications from Bloom Says were excellent. The house more than lived up to expectations. Its location right on the beach was lovely. I was looking for a chilled out birthday with my family and North Vat's zen like modernism and Dungeness' wonderful weirdness hit the mark perfectly. The wifi is slow but that was mostly a good thing although the kids found it a bit more frustrating (they were warned and brought books!). We really enjoyed peaceful strolls down past Prospect Cottage at sunrise and sunset but also had a good time visiting Rye, Canterbury and Whitstable when we wanted to see more 'life' and do a parkrun. We don't often go back to places we've been before but I can well see us returning to North Vat. Thank you owners and Bloom Stays!

Richard Byrne | 14 February 2023

5/5

Wonderful views, location is everything, a very special stay.

Bridget and Keith | 08 February 2023

5/5

A beautiful house in a weird and wonderful location, we all loved it!

Richard and Phillipa | 31 January 2023

Fantastic stay at North Vat 5/5

North Vat is a beautifully designed building with stunning views across Dungeness from every window. We had a wonderfully relaxing, comfortable weekend break. Hosts were very responsive and easy to talk to when we had an issue.

Gill Kent | 06 December 2022

Excellent overall 4.7/5

I think a great place. A real shame nowhere to sit outside in the back no chairs etc It would put me off staying in the summer Lovely house and everything else you needed

Jane Mustoe Mustoe | 18 May 2022

North Vat in Dungeness 5/5

We had a beautiful time at Dungeness staying at North Vat. Everyone felt comfortable with the facilities provided and enjoyed looking at and reading the books, which included giving a background to Prospect House. We took the opportunity to take some atmospheric photos of the landscape. The food provided in the local pubs were excellent. It was a lovely base to visit Rye, via Camber and Hythe using the railway. I look forward to booking one of your other holiday homes for a variety of experiences.

Michele Prentice | 18 October 2021

A beautiful house in a beautiful place. 5/5

A beautiful home positioned perfectly to experience a beautiful wilderness. It didnt take long to feel perfectly at home in a very user friendly splendidly eye pleasing space. Catching the sunrise and sunsets perfectly , outing the lights to stare at the cosmos at night. A great treat.

Steve Adamson | 14 October 2021

Excellent property 4.8/5

Overall fabulous! Location perfect. Amazing views. Excellent design. Downstairs shower a bit dodgy. Everyone used upstairs. Dishwasher very small. Lack of tea towels. Lack of pantry space.

David Johnson | 21 September 2021

Lovely experience 5/5

My first stay cation with my children and didnt disappoint! House and location couldnt have been better, idyllic in every way. Sunsets to die for and the beach was so much fun when the tide was out. Back yard was secure for our dogs so we felt safe too. Just lovely all round thank you!

Anna Oneill | 14 September 2021

Family summer break 5/5

Fabulous and relaxing family week. North VAT delivered on architectural brilliance, phenomenal views and absolute tranquility. 2 recommendations: - lobster flatbread and scallops from the Fish Shack up the road. To spice it up further take a bottle of fizz with you. - taking binoculars and drink to the beach at high tide to watch seals frolicking about Who ever is reading this we hope you enjoy as much as our family.

Matthew Winterburn | 01 August 2021