Home in the old town views over Scarborough harbour to Filey

East Sandgate in Scarborough's old town has period features, a balcony with views over the bay and a four car garage

John and Janet Martin bought it 29 years ago after spotting an advert in the local paper.

“It looked very interesting and we felt we had to see it. When we went inside it obviously needed a lot of work but it felt very comfortable and the views were exceptional. We both agreed we had to buy it,” says Mr Martin.

The house dates back to the 1700s and has been put to a variety of uses. It was an inn, the home of a master fisherman and a printer’s shop before being converted back into a dwelling

The Martin’s have renovated and updated the property over the years and it now has an entrance hallway, dining room and kitchen on the ground floor. The lower ground floor houses a study with two walk-in store rooms. On the first floor, there is a master bedroom with en-suite and a sitting room with doors onto the balcony. On the top floor, there are two double bedrooms and a bathroom.

Outside, there is an enclosed courtyard garden with access to an outbuilding, along with a garage, which is large enough to accommodate four cars. The building retains many of its period features and the garage still has the original cobbles from its days as a coach house.

Mr Martin, who is selling to downsize, says: “It is a wonderful house and there is nothing else like it in Scarborough. We have enjoyed living here as did our sons. The house became a meeting point for all their friends. They would arrive on their bikes and leave them here while they went down to the seafront and played on the slot machines. We have some very happy memories.”

Estate agent Wai Kong Yau, of Colin Ellis, says: “It is highly unusual to find a house like this in the old town. It has charm and character, the balcony, the views and parking. It ticks all the boxes.”

The sitting room with sea views and a balcony

For further details, contact Colin Ellis estate agency, Scarborough, tel: 01723 363565, www.colinellis.co.uk

*Scarborough’s old town is rich with maritime heritage. The area, concentrated around the harbour, the castle hill and stretching up to St Mary’ s Church, was the heart of the seafaring community. It is where many of the fishermen’s cottages are as it close to the quay side. St Mary’s church yard features mariners’ graves and is also a literary shrine. She was a regular visitor to Britain’s first seaside resort and went to improve her health only to die of consumption. She is buried in the churchyard.