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.
21. Elevated setting
The hillside garden is fully enclosed and thoughtfully landscaped across a series of terraces. Photo: Matt Hillier
22. Garden paths
Winding steps lead through herbaceous borders and gently curved beds. Photo: Matt Hillier
23. Back to front
The garden-facing side of the house is the main frontage, while the rear looks directly out to sea. Photo: Matt Hillier
24. Off-street provision
There is a two-car private parking bay above the garden. Photo: Matt Hillier