Fairhaven, believed to date from the early 1900s, sits close to the shoreline in Sandsend near Whitby. The property was once home to the Turnstone Gallery, which operated for around 15 years and specialised in fine art and ceramics, with a focus on Yorkshire artists.
Following its closure, the building was converted back into residential use by the gallery owners, creating a house of more than 2,000 sq ft.
The former gallery space now forms a large open-plan dining and sitting area with expansive windows looking out to sea. A double-sided wood-burning stove serves both this space and the adjoining hallway.
The layout reflects the building’s gradual development over time, resulting in a distinctive “back to front” design, with the main frontage overlooking the garden and the rear facing the coast.
The house also includes a separate living room, a kitchen fitted with shaker-style units and granite worktops, plus a utility and boot room. Upstairs are four bedrooms, including one used as a home office with elevated sea views.
Outside, a south-facing walled garden provides a sheltered and private space.
1. Coastal vantage
This charming cottage features sweeping views of Sandsend's golden beaches. Photo: Matt Hillier
2. Creative conversion
Once a village art gallery, the home now unites a period cottage, contemporary extension and custom-built addition. Photo: Matt Hillier
3. Open plan
The main living area, which was the former art gallery, offers a spacious setting suited to hosting and everyday use Photo: Matt Hillier
4. Adaptable space
When the owners closed the art gallery in 2016, they converted this space into residential to create a home of more than 2,000 sq ft. Photo: Matt Hillier