As Fate Would Have It

For all the planning and preparation that finding a new home requires, sometimes it simply comes down to luck, timing and fate. That was the case for the Briggs family who found their dream home through our Bognor office in 2022. Here is their story...

It all started in July 2022 when Mrs Briggs rang a wrong number and got through to Tina in our Bognor Regis branch by mistake. The pair got talking and it transpired that Mrs Briggs and her family had been on the lookout for a property by the sea that the family could use for weekends and holidays. As fate would have it, Gilbert and Cleveland were about to market a special property, steeped in history and located just a stone’s throw from Felpham beach. Mrs Briggs, not being local, was unfamiliar with Felpham and its charms but Tina talked at length about the cottage, its unique history and what this special location had to offer. By the end of the call Mrs Briggs was convinced that she needed to take a trip to Felpham to see the cottage by the sea and booked to view the property the next day with her family.

Built in the 1860’s, the Old Coastguards cottage, attractive in red and yellow brick, is one of a small terrace of properties that originally housed 46 coastguards who were stationed there. Many original features have been retained including cast fireplaces and exterior pipe-work embossed with anchors, a reminder of its nautical heritage; residents also have the benefit of access to the beautiful beach at Felpham via private pathways that used to provide members of the coastguard with quick routes to the boat house and watch tower. The Briggs family were captivated, not only by the character features and rich history of the property, but also by its close proximity to the beach and promenade. With the famous beachfront cafe The Lobster Pot within easy reach too, we can understand why they fell in love with the place!

Roll on to November 2022 and the Briggs family finally received the keys to the Old Coastguards cottage. The family plans to renovate and lovingly restore this Victorian gem to its former glory. They have already begun their renovation journey and are embracing Felpham life! We wish them all the best in their new property and will follow their progress with interest. You can follow them too as they share updates to their Instagram page: @coastguards1861renovation.

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