ESCAPE ROUTE

Swapping city for coast, Skye O'Neill and Jamie Corner have created a peaceful retreat in the quaint town of Whitstable

- SKYE O'NEILL

For 10 years before they bought their house on the north coast of Kent, Skye O’Neill and Jamie Corner regularly escaped to Whitstable for weekends and holidays. From their home in southeast London, with their two young daughters, Eilidh and Esme, and dog Day, it was an easy drive of just over an hour. ‘Having grown up in Sydney, I really missed the sea – Whitstable was the nearest bit of coastline we could get to,’ explains Skye, who is co-founder of Fieldfare magazine and a freelance photographer. ‘Jamie felt the same way; he grew up in St Andrews on the east coast of Scotland. Living in London can feel very claustrophobic when you’re used to being near the beach.’

The couple met in 2006 and settled in the capital. When nances allowed them to buy a home in Whitstable where they could escape urban life, they leapt at the chance. ‘We discussed it over Christmas 2018, and we found the house through a local estate agent about two weeks later,’ recalls Skye. Having already spent so much time in the seaside town, they had a very clear idea of what they wanted. ‘It was only the second house we looked at, but the minute we walked in the door we knew it was perfect for us. It lacked modern conveniences like a dishwasher and separate shower, but the atmosphere was so calming and peaceful.’

Built in 1830 as a shermen’s cottage, the house is a short walk from the seafront and just a minute or two from the centre of town. ‘For us, Whitstable was the ideal spot. It’s small enough that the kids run can around on their own, and big enough that there is plenty going on.’