The Old Spy Headquarters

About this property

The Old Spy Headquarters is a stunning two-bedroom, first-floor apartment resting in a double-fronted, Victorian building, sitting directly opposite the beach and boasting stunning views as far as France from the wrought iron period balcony. Housed in a Grade 11 listed former ‘Spy headquarters’ it provides a wealth of history – including its own historic blue Plaque to commemorate the fact that it was used in World War I to train spies from Britain, France and Belgium. Ascend the steps to this grand historic building and travel though the communal hallway housing cabinets with artefacts and information about this period in the houses’ history; upstairs, approach the apartment entrance and once inside, be impressed by the delightful living space, uplifted by natural light from the large bay windows and double French doors leading out to the balcony. Within this space there is a three-seater sofa, a swivel armchair and a Smart TV, perfect for indulging a movie night with loved ones. Bask in the wonderful sea views whilst dining alfresco or in front of the bay window, allowing the designated chef to make use of a full-equipped kitchen with all the necessities for home- cooking, including a microwave and a dishwasher to save on the cleaning up. On nights when you don’t feel like cooking, savour a fine selection of food and drink in one of the local restaurants nearby. When the evening draws to a close, retreat to the master bedroom, adorned with a double bed, French doors onto the balcony and magnificent sea views; a second bedroom also features a double bed and large sash windows filling the room with light. Completing the interior is a family-sized bathroom with bath and shower over; a storage cupboard on the communal stairs houses an ironing board, iron, board games, novels and a hoover for all your homely needs. The entire apartment has a feel of grandeur and space due to the exceptionally high ceilings. Just opposite lies a pebble beach and beach boardwalk which leads to the Harbour Arm, full of an eclectic range of small shacks with cuisine from around the globe. There is an outdoor cinema close by, showing classic films and sport coverage throughout the year; find the renowned ‘Rocksalt’ Restaurant only paces away, cantilevered over Folkestone Harbour with panoramic floor to ceiling views out over the English Channel, making Folkestone a top foodie destination. Travelling past the Harbour Arm lies the working harbour, bringing in its daily catch and providing fresh seafood for your evening meal or seafood snacks such as cockles, whelks, mussels and jellied eels! Why not take advantage of the sea sports facilities on offer at Sunny Sands beach just beyond the harbour? Taking the boardwalk, reach Lower Leas Coastal Park, with its wonderful array of coastal plants and an extensive adventure playground. From here you can take the intriguing ‘Zig Zag’ path up to the Leas promenade where, during the summer months, you can enjoy the live sounds of the bandstand at weekends. If you prefer to immerse yourself in local art and history, follow the ‘art trail’ around the town – can you spot all on offer? Be sure not to miss Anthony Gormley’s statue of a man, visible at low tide only undeath the harbour arm! Spend time along the ‘invasion coast’ where you can discover multiple Martello Towers between Hythe and Rye, as well as the Royal Military Canal which offers opportunities for walking, cycling and boating. Take a day trip to the coastal town of Dover, boasting its iconic white cliffs, guided tours of the South Foreland lighthouse and the ruins of Dover castle. Other attractions include Deal and Canterbury as well as Ashford’s designer outlet centre for retail therapy, only a short drive away. London is easily accessible on the fast hourly trains and even a day trip to France is within your grasp from this charming base. Whether it’s delighting in sea walks, submerging yourself in local culture or tasting the culinary delicacies from around the world – Folkestone has it all! The Old Spy Headquarters is a wonderful retreat for accessing the best of Kent and the surrounding coastline.

Folkestone is a bustling port city with a great selection of amenities and attractions, and it is located on the edge of the Kent Downs aonb. You can find more than 100 art studios and galleries in the Creative Quarter, as well as a wide variety of cafes and restaurants at Folkestone Harbour. The Leas offers stunning views of the French coast, and The Lower Leas Coastal Park is a great place to have a barbecue or picnic on the beach. On the sandy beach at Folkestone, you may engage in a wide range of watersports, including sailing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding. The second beach in the community is more rockier and a fantastic location for birdwatchers, nature enthusiasts, and fossil hunters! Discover some of the 153-mile North Downs Way National Trail, which runs through the Surrey Hills and Kent Downs aonb on its way from Farnham to Canterbury and through the White Cliffs of Dover. You can spend the day exploring Canterbury's charming cobblestone alleys and intriguing shops, or you can travel an hour to see Dover Castle and Chartwell, Sir Winston Churchill's former residence. In this beautiful region of the country, there are so many options for day trips that Folkestone is the ideal destination for groups of friends, families, and lovers.

Accommodation

First-floor apartment.

Two double bedrooms.

Bathroom with bath, shower over, basin, heated towel rail and WC.

Open-plan living space with kitchen, dining and sitting area with balcony

Gas central heating.

Electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge, dishwasher, iron, ironing board and hair dryer.

Smart TV, Amazon Echo dot with Alexa and WiFi.

Fuel and power included in rent.

Bed linen and towels included in rent.

On-street parking at a charge.

Sorry, no pets and no smoking.

Shop 0.5 miles, pub 0.4 miles, beach 0.1 miles.

Please note: Local restaurants get booked quite quickly, to avoid disappointment it may be beneficial to book in advance.

Note - This property now includes children's activities for use in the flat during your stay, these include activity books, colouring books, board games and jigsaw puzzles.

Note: Additional table kept in store cupboard if needed.

Please note, the washing machine in this property does not function