Britain’s most isolated home goes up for sale – but it’s in the middle of a DESERT…why buying it may prove a challenge
BRITAIN’S most isolated home is on the market in the UK’s only desert – but buying it could prove challenging.
A converted train carriage dating back to the 1880s is up for sale on the coast of Kent.
The spectacular property is located in Britain’s only desert and is steeped in history.
The house has three bedrooms and is one of around 30 railway carriages in the region, What’s The Jam reports.
Fitted with chic furniture and decadent decor, the stunning train carriage could be a dream property for those looking to escape city life.
The house provides picturesque views of the iconic lighthouse, situated right next to the English Channel.
The master bedroom even has its own bathroom, and the two further bedrooms are well-sized, too.
As well as having amazing views surrounding the property, a conservatory and garden are on offer alongside space for parking two cars.
However, those looking to move into the property would have to shell out £875,000 – and a mortgage is unlikely to cut it.
The listing reads: “Please note that we are unaware of any lenders providing mortgages on this type of house at the present time.”
If you have the cash to spare, the area of Dungeness is brimming with history and is loved by a few famous faces including Ed Sheeran.
Artist Derek Jarman’s former home, Prospect Cottage, is also only a short walk from the carriage.
The property is currently available with The Modern House, London.
The Dungeness region is great for those chasing warmth throughout the year.
It is one of the warmest beaches in the spring with highs of 18C – and the highest ever summer temperature was recorded at 29C, with averages around 22C.
It has one of the largest shingle beaches in Europe, too, and has been likened to a desert due to being so barren with little plant life.
In 2015, the Met Office refused to call it a desert as Dungeness fails to have little rainfall or large temperature differences between day and night.
However, this hasn’t stopped people calling the area “Britain’s only desert” – and still attracts tourists who want to see it for themselves.
More than one million tourists visit it every year, despite having little to do across the vast landscape.
Previous visitors have praised the unique beach, saying it was like nothing else in the UK.
One tourist wrote on TripAdvisor: “It’s very peaceful – a bit off the beaten track. At times it feels like a forgotten-about film set.”
Another said it has an “End of the World feeling”.
What to do in Britain's only desert
Dungeness is a protected conservation area, as it is called a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), a Special Protection Area (SPA) and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
It is one of the best places to find rare bugs including bees, moths and spiders, as well as being home to 600 kinds of plants.
If you fancy visiting yourself, the first place you should visit is the Grade-II listed Old Lighthouse, which has views for miles over Dungeness.
If you need something to eat there is the Snack Shack which serves fresh catches from the fishing boats, while the best fish and chips is found at The Pilot Inn.
Try a local beer from Ales by the Rails, found in the train station.
One popular attraction is the inky black Prospect Cottage, once the home of film director Derek Jarman, and many compared to a Wild West setting.
The beach is also home to the nuclear Dungeness Power Station, which makes the sea waters some of the warmest in the country.
Other famous faces include Ed Sheeran, who bought a converted railway carriage in Romney Marsh for £650k, while Dungeness has been used by Pink Floyd, The Prodigy and Nicki Minaj for filming and even featured in episodes of Eastenders and Doctor Who.
Or head to the Denge Listening Ears, which were used as an early warning system for enemy sightings, although you will need to book a guide to visit them.
You can even stay the night at Dungeness, with around 30 converted homes to choose from.
The Shingle House is one of the most popular, as it has some of the best views of the beach, with the modern home designed to look like the fisherman’s huts.
Inside are four bedrooms and three bathrooms, as well as a huge open-plan kitchen and living area.
It will set you back around £315 a night, but sleeps eight although it is often booked out months in advance.