DIVE INTO LIFE BY THE SEA

MANY people regularly head for their nearest seafront to go for a stroll next to the water, enjoy an alfresco meal by the beach and generally feel refreshed for the coastal experience. But how about having all of that literally on your doorstep every day of the year, come rain or shine.

The beach, plus a historic pier and pavilion are some of the closest neighbours to enjoy from this unique sea view home.

The attractive facade of this landmark building on Penarth seafront is instantly recognisable to many people, either as a former swimming pool or a former pub or both.

How many local people of a certain age can remember splashing about in the pool inside this Victorian building?

Or when it closed in the 1980s and then reopened as the pub and restaurant Inn At The Deep End enjoying a burger at a picnic table in the beer garden accompanied by sea views?

Now one of the four homes inside the converted and renovated Victorian municipal baths is for sale with the sea views and picnic table option in the front garden available every day for the lucky new owner.

Just across the road and visible from the front windows, as well as the sea and pebble beach, is another landmark Penarth seafront building – the classic art deco pier building so loved by residents and the visitors that descend on this popular coastal town in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Imagine waking up at this prime spot on the seafront every day and a walk along the pier is your first immediate option, or there’s the beach, the seafront itself and then the coastal path up to the cliff tops at the end of the road – choices, choices.

Travel back in time to the 1980s and this particular slice of the swimming pool site was an entrance under arguably the stand-out feature of the property that was built in 1885 – the fancy octagonal tower, boasting carved stone details within a frieze and crowned with an impressive dome.

Travel forward to the early 1990s and the pub that occupied the site offered a cool drink by the sea. But after the establishment closed the building began to fall into disrepair before being converted into four homes, with the renovation completed in 2005.

The Jacobean-style building achieved its Grade II listed status with Cadw in 1984, amended in 1993, for its group value as a whole site described as “former Penarth baths and supervisor’s office”.

The building also gained “county treasure” status from Vale of Glamorgan council as part of a heritage project which awards the accolade to buildings that are considered of local architectural interest and of importance to local people.

In arguably one of the most prestigious spots in the town, and maybe the surrounding area too, the attractive brick and bathstone facade is the first pleasing visual greeting as you open the wrought iron front gate.

Past what was the pub’s beer garden, climb the stone steps and arrive at the robust front door that must have greeted thousands of swimmers anticipating a bracing dip in the chilly pool for many decades.

No need to have packed your bikini or speedos for this visit, unless you intend to take a dip in the sea opposite, now the building is packed with gorgeousness rather than cold floor tiles and echoing shrieks of children playing in the water.

This entrance vestibule is a good-sized space, with feature black and white floor tiles and, as this home has another entrance to the side of the property, this room could easily become a stylish home office space.

Imagine opening the doors and seeing the sea to inspire you to do your best work every day.

From this front hallway, the door to the inner area reveals a fabulous open-plan, double-height living space, showing off its original whitewashed ceiling beams and panelling, window fittings and roof trusses that remind any visitor of the period past of the property.

The huge room is a delightful space, with a huge bay window and generous lounge area either side of the front entrance.

The window shutters and high ceilings give the space an almost colonial interior design feel, but the chosen furniture, tones and accessories bring visual warmth, classic statement pieces and pops of colour to the vast room that make it inviting and sociable, whichever area you choose to sit and relax.

The classic, antique statement pieces are mixed with modern additions, tactile fabrics and season trending shades to produce a tasteful interiors scheme that sits well within the space.

From the double ended lounge and into the kitchen where more of the building’s ceiling structure is on display to admire, as well as an array

of built-in appliances and an island unit as the principal place to stop, chat and interrupt the cook.

The bedrooms are downstairs at this unique home and this makes the most sense for a layout that can offer sea views from its upper floor.

Why waste them on a night-time, sleeping zone rather than enjoy them to the full from a daytime zone?

But that doesn’t mean the frontfacing bedrooms miss out on an enviable view, as their large windows peep over the upper terrace of the front garden to delight any occupant with vistas of the sky and sea from the upper windows.

This building has been very cleverly designed to make the most of every area and feature, which is always a challenge within a listed building conversion.

Because as well as the upper window views, the master bedroom and bedroom three both have access to a private lower terrace perfect for a lazy brunch, hidden away from any nosy seafront strollers enthralled by the beauty of this landmark building.

The three bedrooms on the lower floor include a master that has an en suite and dressing area as well as doors out onto that sunny terrace. There’s a family bathroom on this level too, as well as a continuation of the tasteful interiors.

Arguably, apart from the windows that give you the best sea views, the best spot in this home marketed as a three-bed semi – but definitely not a standard one – is at the base of the tower in the front entrance vestibule.

Stand here and look up to admire the octagonal shape of this unique extra feature – how many homes can tempt you with sea views, a listed pier as a neighbour, immediate access to ice creams and coastal eateries, plus its own private tower?

■ This truly unique home in the prime sea facing spot within the Balmoral Quays development is on the market for £995,000 with ACJ properties. Call their Penarth branch on 029 2041 5161 for further details.