G. W. M. Reynolds Society

The realtors are touting its six bedrooms, expansive gardens, and prime location in “Herne Bay’s fast up and coming conservation area.” But you had us at “George W. M. Reynolds lived here.” And it’s called “Gothic House.”

Reynolds moved to Kent’s Herne Bay in 1854, where he became one of the town’s Improvement Commissioners. Imaginative as he was, I doubt Reynolds ever fancied the Herne Bay mainline train station would someday provide direct links to London Victoria in approximately 88 minutes.

According to the listing, “‘Gothic House’ covers 3623 sq ft (336.6 sq m) sprawling over three floors with all rooms of elegant proportion and unique period features are found in abundance. Architectural features include 15’ (4.5m) ceiling heights and Bath stone detailing to the windows and doors. ‘Gothic House’ certainly has the feel of a grand residence with four large sitting rooms where lots of people can comfortably spend time together and six elegant light filled bedrooms for having privacy when you want it. The large, comfortable, light filled rooms provide plenty of space to spend time together and the impressive dining room is perfect for breakfast, lunch and dinner parties together in the evening. The study/library provides a cosy and quiet area for reading or somewhere to work. The family bathroom has a Victorian roll top bath and separate shower cubicle whilst the en-suite to the Master Bedroom is tiled with Fired Earth marble and luxurious ‘Catchpole &  Rye’ walk-in shower and fittings.”

The realtors of the property declare “[t]he similarity of ‘Gothic House’ to Dicken’s ‘Bleak House’ along the coast in Broadstairs is notable, especially because Dickens and Reynolds were rivals, Reynolds being more popular than Dickens in their day!” Kudos to Kent Estate Agency for knowing their literary history.

So, now the question is: who wants to go in on a £950,000 mortgage?

See listing (while it’s up) here.