Built by local builders Bonnar & Bonnar in 1933, Lifeboat Cottage is an attractive detached house of character, conveniently located on Grafton Road, Selsey within an easy walk of the seafront and local amenities. The daughter of the house builder liked the design of the house so much that she had an identical property constructed for herself, to the west of the village, in Bonnar Road. This cottage still stands and was sold through Gilbert & Cleveland in 2022.
Lifeboat Cottage was commissioned by the RNLI for the mechanic of the Selsey lifeboat. When he was later moved, the RNLI sold Lifeboat Cottage to a Mrs Braddock who resided there for many years with her mother. During her tenure, she purchased a piece of land adjacent to the property from her neighbour, William Arnell, which allowed for the addition of a driveway and garage.
In the early 1980’s Mrs Braddock made the decision to move, however, the property never actually made it onto the open market. Mrs Douse, descended from a local fishing family with historic links to the lifeboat through relatives who served as crew and coxswain, had often admired Lifeboat Cottage as her parents lived in Grafton Road. Upon hearing that the owner was thinking of selling, Mr and Mrs Douse approached Mrs Braddock privately and arranged a viewing. Although the house did need some work, the couple fell in love with it and thought it would be the perfect place to raise their young family, purchasing the cottage in 1982 for £27,000.
The kitchen when they first moved in could be described as ‘rustic’ with basic fitments and a freestanding wardrobe serving as a storage cupboard. The old coal hole was later incorporated into the house to make the kitchen bigger and mains gas was connected so that central heating could be installed. Throughout the works they were careful to preserve the character of the house as that was what had initially attracted them.
Even now, 42 years later, they are still appreciative of the overall character and charm of the property. A particular feature enjoyed by the couple is the garden which has been cultivated into a haven for entertaining family and friends.
The vendors have now come to the difficult decision that it is time for them to move and, while they will miss living at Lifeboat Cottage very much, they are looking to stay local, within the warm community of Selsey that they so enjoy being a part of.
Could you be the next owner of Lifeboat Cottage?
See the full details of the house here: https://bit.ly/4bx1pqv
For more information or to arrange a viewing, please contact our Selsey office on 01243 607866 or email selsey@gilbertandcleveland.co.uk