The Gun Emplacement - a self-catering holiday cottage at The Front, Beach Road, St. Margaret's Bay, Dover, Kent

Wonderful views from the cottage - you can see France on a clear day

The converted Gun Emplacement with large picture windows in the sitting room

One of the double bedrooms

About The Gun Emplacement

The Gun Emplacement is the nearest house to France. It's perched on the cliff top on Lighthouse Down, the National Trust's protected coastal expanse, which has come to be known as The White Cliffs. The house was built by the Army in 1910, Sir Peter Ustinov was billeted there during the Second War and he bought it from the Ministry of Defence in 1946. I bought it in 1977 and have used it as my seaside home. In 2000, it was extensively renovated inside and out and is now a very comfortable one-storey, centrally-heated residence in a unique location, with uninterrupted views across the Channel to Calais, gardens back and front and offers total peace in glorious unspoiled countryside. 

The Gun Emplacement is not suitable for young children but fine for older people, for the disabled (only two small stairs) and for well-behaved pets. NO SMOKERS. 

The accommodation comprises:

• Three double bedrooms, 

• A pleasant sitting-room (with a fire-place) looking over the sea, with sliding double-glazed windows on 3 sides, sofa

• A tiny modern kitchen fitted with IKEA cupboards, fridge-freezer, dishwasher, oven and microwave, 

• A separate WC, 

• Bathroom with basin, bath and tiled walk-in shower with excellent pressure. There is even an airing cupboard to keep linen warm. 

The shingle beach is very near (7 mins. walk) and there are many other delightful walks - to Dover over the cliff tops, to Kingsdown and Sandwich. 

Directions

BY TRAIN: 90 MINS. CHARING CROSS TO MARTIN MILL, roughly every hour. Taxi at Martin Mill Station. 
Book them before leaving London to meet your train -
Bay Cars 01304 852 988

BY CAR:

From LONDON: (approx. 2hrs.) BEST WAY:
Exit London on South Circular Road, via Clapham, Lewisham, Dulwich and follow signs to M20 motorway. Take this road through Folkestone to Dover.

Go right through Dover, following signs to Sandwich (A 258) & Canterbury (A2). Go past Western Docks, right round the roundabout by the Docks and take third exit. Continue up Jubilee Way uphill to roundabout, take third exit marked St. Margaret's Bay. After 1 mile, take RIGHT turn (signpost St Margaret's Bay). Take this small country road for approx. 2 miles. At T-junction, turn Right, the second road on the Left is KINGSDOWN ROAD. No 59, "Devonia", is where you pick up the keys to The Gun Emplacement.

Another possible route, but rather busy.

Exit on A2 via Blackheath - keep right at Blackheath. 
Follow signs to A2 & M2 (Dover). After 50 miles or so, take third exit at Canterbury roundabout. Follow signs to DOVER & DOVER DOCKS. After 15 miles, second large roundabout (ignore first one called WHITFIELD) 
Signpost on LEFT to ST. MARGARET'S BAY. (Big ELF garage on RIGHT.) Take this road & after 1 mile SP to ST. MARGARET'S BAY on RIGHT. Take this small country road for approx. 2 miles-then T-junction.
Turn Right, the second road on the left is KINGSDOWN ROAD. No 59, "Devonia" is where you pick up the keys.

Local Amenities

The shingle beach is very near just a 7 minute walk away and there are many other delightful walks - to Dover over the cliff tops, to Kingsdown and Sandwich. 

There are various excellent local establishments for meals out; Wallett's Court - a gourmet restaurant in St. Margaret's, The Cliffe Tavern - for excellent pub meals, and The Swingate Inn for superb fish & chips.  

Local events include:

Places to Visit

Canterbury with its renowned Cathedral, Folkestone, Leeds Castle, Sissinghurst Gardens, Rye, Walmer, Chilham and of course France (via the Tunnel), are all a short drive away. 

Tariff and Bookings

Rates vary depending on the time of year as follows: 

Stay a week or a weekend, all the same price There are 3 double bedrooms.  A couch in the sitting-room can also be used. 6 people is a maximum number.

Saturday to Saturday bookings

weekly (and any part of a week) prices are:

£300.00 Off Peak, November to March

£400.00 Peak April to October

£425.00 Bank hols

£500.00 Christmas/New Year and Golf open

Payment in full to confirm the booking. In the event of cancellation, if you can re-let for those dates, or we can, 100% refund.

Contact Details

For further information and to make a booking contact the owner by telephoning 020 8946 9394 or email

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