Seaside bolthole: the cottage

Stephen Emms, a writer/publicist, and Russell Loughlan, a model agent, live in North London, with their Jack Russell, Pepper. They bought their cottage in Walmer, near Deal, Kent, 18 months ago

Tell us about your seaside bolthole…
It's one of four fishermen's cottages built in 1850, behind the seafront in Walmer. It's the classic two-up, two-down with panelled living room, beamed kitchen, two bedrooms and a shingle garden. There's also a cellar, which we’re always talking about converting into a home cinema.

Why was it important to you to have a seaside hideaway?
One word: perspective. There's nothing like stepping off the train and sitting on the beach on a Friday afternoon: that sense of space, with the huge skies and ever-changing light, means you don’t think about anything else, and work-related worries soon wither.

When and how did you come by it, and what state was it in?
A few years ago, Russell and I bought our first seaside cottage in Deal, which we renovated and sold just before the recession. Ever since, we've been obsessed with finding a new bolthole with a garden, and just over a year ago we found a cottage where much of the hard work had already been done.

What convinced you to go ahead – how did you make the cost work?
We were torn between this cottage and a crumbling flat in Whitstable that needed total refurbishment. This won out, for all the obvious reasons – its idyllic location, garden and rustic interior. Fortunately we also rent out a property in East London, which helps to cover the costs. We now rent out this cottage to guests, but be warned there's no TV, microwave or Wi-Fi! It's a retreat.

What work have you done to the place?
We were lucky to be able to focus immediately on the aesthetics sourcing the perfect map, chair or picture. In the living room we have installed a classic woodburner. We have also spent a lot of time on the garden, planting palms and trees.

How often do you use it and what has it added to your lifestyle overall?
We escape here as often as we can. The minute we step through the door, we relax. As we don't have a TV, the emphasis is on cooking, reading and chatting, so the weekends feel extended and lazy. We love entertaining here, too.

Describe a perfect day spent at your seaside hideaway…
We wake early, take our Jack Russell to the beach and stroll to the bakery to buy croissants. Afterwards we'll go into town to buy grey mullet from the fishmongers. Then it's a potter round the market and vintage shops before lunch and a glass of wine at 81 Beach Street. In the afternoon we'll hike up to Kingsdown. Friends will arrive for dinner later.

Would you recommend the area as a place to escape to?
Absolutely. Sometimes there's no one on the beach, even in summer. Architectural beauty abounds, from the maze-like Georgian Old Town to Walmer Castle. The food scene has vastly improved: our gourmet tip is the Dining Club on Middle Street.

Anything you would have done differently?
We'd have liked a direct sea view; it remains our ambition.

Any tips to pass on to would-be bolthole owners?
Don't buy somewhere more than 90-120 minutes drive away. You won't use it otherwise.

Fisherman’s Cottage sleeps four and can be booked through www.fishermanscottagedeal.co.uk. For last-minute deals, see Twitter: @Fishcottagedeal.

Tips
* A seaside hideaway needn't be huge. A flat or cottage could provide all you need.
* Consider the location. Ideally, your bolthole should be close to your main home if you want to use it often.
* Look at up-and-coming areas (such as Margate, where flats start from around £40,000), or even slightly inland for cheaper properties. Popular destinations, such as Devon and Cornwall, will always command a premium.
* Let out your seaside home for some of the year to cover maintenance and mortgage payments. Enjoy England recommends contacting Quality in Tourism (0845 300 6996, www.qualityintourism.com) for advice on how to run self-catering accommodation.
* Investigate fractional or shared ownership it's another way of reducing costs and increasing occupancy levels in second homes. Do this with friends or through websites such as www.yours2share.com, which links buyers.