World's Oldest Bungalow Sees Price Drop Again After Four Years on Market

It was constructed during the rule of Queen Victoria and offers breathtaking unobstructed seaside vistas.

However, the so-called "oldest" bungalow in the world, dating back to the 1870s, has remained unsold on the property market for four years and has recently had its price reduced once more.

The six-bedroom home in Birchington, Kent, is currently being offered at £1.25 million, which is a reduction from the previous price of £2 million set in 2021.

In 2023, the property's owner initially reduced the price to £1.5 million.

It was designated as Grade II listed in June 1986, and according to Historic England, it stands as the sole remaining instance of the initial batch of bungalows constructed in the United Kingdom.

John Taylor, the architect behind this structure, pioneered the design of Britain’s first modern bungalows and constructed these buildings in Kent from 1869 to 1870.

Taylor is renowned for his work in designing railway stations along the London, Chatham and Dover line.

The word 'bungalow,' which means 'a house styled after Bengal,' came from the Bengali area of India.

Distinguished Victorian physician Dr. Erasmus Wilson, who purchased the initial four of Taylor's bungalows, was one of those supporting the naming proposal.

Historic England suggests that he mentioned, "It appears as though bungalows have a significant hold over people’s imaginations."

'These homes are innovative, charming, attractive, and excel in hygiene. The ideal hygienic dwelling for a household is a bungalow.'

It is reported that Wilson thought the sea air of Birchington was superior compared to other coastal areas in Britain.

Birchington village in Kent lies along the northern coast of Thanet and enjoys good connections with nearby coastal towns via buses, trains, and roads. It also features a main line connection to London suitable for daily commuters.

Situated on a cliff edge, the property features a 'Manston' room, which could serve as an excellent entertainment area.

It features a spacious hallway that stretches nearly 60 feet in length, along with a sizable backyard that offers unobstructed views of the sea.

The entry for the 'most ancient authentic bungalow' mentions that it comes with a completely equipped kitchen featuring an Aga along with ample storage space, as well as having a distinct laundry area and an L-shaped carport.

In addition to a separate bathroom and toilet, two of the bedrooms come with ensuite facilities. The property also offers direct access to the promenade beneath the bungalow via a staircase in the garden; this can be restored by the purchaser.

The ' Tower' room can be converted into a home office as required, and the property includes an annex featuring a bedroom with a shower and toilet, along with a combined reception/dining area and connected kitchen.

Ben Williams, an estate agent from Fresh Estates, commented: "Much of what is being constructed in this area, particularly in this region, consists of shoddy workmanship completed within a single weekend. These structures will not last for more than five decades, let alone one hundred fifty years."

'This kind of thing will definitely happen, 100%. They simply don't construct them as they did in the past.'

'This opportunity allows you to purchase a piece of history; however, it appears that this kind of thing is becoming increasingly rare.'

When you consider the size in terms of square footage relative to what else you can get for a similar price in this area, it offers great value.

'It's uncommon due to the dimensions of the land.'

'You have direct access to the promenade underneath which means you can walk from Birchington all the way to Margate pretty much on this promenade.

'It's a family home but because of the annexe you can have potentially a multi-generational home.

'You might prefer having your parents in wheelchairs living under the same roof as you due to the ample space this large house provides.'

'There would be ample space to accommodate a family quite comfortably, and even your parents if necessary. This will likely appeal to those types of buyers.'

'This one is enormous; it requires either an entire family or several generations to handle. It’s quite challenging.'

He mentioned that the initial asking price for the property was quite high, but he now considers it to be far more sensible.

"When it first hit the market, he (the owner) was aiming for £2.5 million," he explained.

I must admit I haven’t found it very appealing. The market conditions have worsened things. It’s been extremely difficult, truly incredibly tough.

'Now, when you consider the prices of other items I’m offering at £1 million, £1.5 million, and £1.75 million, this appears quite affordable.'

'The reason it’s so exclusive is that your potential buyers are significantly fewer. It would appeal to a particular person, likely an overseas buyer, someone who values the historical significance and recognizes it as the world’s oldest bungalow.'

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