Mudeford, Christchurch

The Slipway has been designed to make the most of its extraordinary waterside setting, with beautifully proportioned rooms, extensive glazing and a layout that works just as well for everyday family life as it does for entertaining on a grander scale. The sense of arrival is immediate. From the entrance, the eye is naturally drawn through the house towards the harbour beyond, with the architecture deliberately creating a visual connection between the interior and the water.
At the heart of the ground floor is the magnificent open-plan kitchen, dining and living room. This is the principal entertaining space and arguably the defining room of the house, with vast expanses of glazing framing uninterrupted harbour views.
The kitchen itself is a sleek SieMatic SLX design, fitted with a comprehensive range of integrated Miele appliances and centred around a substantial island. It has been created as much for entertaining as for cooking, with clean architectural lines and a dedicated bar area adding to the sense of occasion.
Alongside, the dining area provides ample space for a large table and is positioned to enjoy the view throughout the day, while the adjoining living area offers a relaxed place to sit and watch the changing activity on the harbour.
A four-track sliding glass system allows a significant section of this room to disappear almost entirely, opening the house directly onto the waterfront terrace. In warmer months, the entire space becomes an extension of the garden and water beyond.
A separate sitting room provides a more intimate alternative to the principal living space. Generously proportioned yet comfortable, it offers somewhere to retreat in the evening or to enjoy as a quieter family room away from the main entertaining areas.
For those working from home, there is also a dedicated study. Set apart from the principal living areas, it provides a calm and private working environment while retaining the same attention to detail found throughout the house.
Practical accommodation has been equally well considered. The utility room provides valuable additional storage and laundry space on the ground floor, while the arrangement of ancillary rooms ensures that the everyday workings of the house remain discreetly separated from the principal reception areas.
One of the particular luxuries of The Slipway is its dedicated wellness space. The substantial gym is complemented by its own sauna, creating an impressive private health and fitness suite within the house.
The staircase rises to a generous galleried landing on the first floor, from which the five bedroom suites are arranged.
The principal bedroom suite occupies one of the finest positions in the house. Exceptionally generous in scale, it incorporates a substantial bedroom, dedicated dressing room and beautifully appointed en suite bathroom. Full-height glazing opens onto a private balcony, providing elevated views across Christchurch Harbour and a remarkable outlook to wake up to each morning.
Two further guest suites also enjoy direct access to waterfront balconies. Both are generous double bedrooms with their own en suite shower rooms, making them particularly well suited to visiting family and guests.
Bedrooms four and five complete the first-floor accommodation, each again benefiting from its own private en suite facilities. The result is a house in which every bedroom operates as a genuine suite, rather than the secondary bedrooms feeling compromised by comparison with the principal accommodation.
A separate first-floor laundry room is another thoughtful addition, avoiding the need to carry everyday laundry between floors and further reflecting the practical consideration that has gone into the design.
Throughout the house, extensive SkyFrame glazing, clean architectural detailing and carefully chosen materials create a sophisticated but understated interior. The technology is equally comprehensive, with a Control4 smart-home system managing lighting, heating, ducted air conditioning, security, blinds and audio-visual systems.
The outside spaces are every bit as considered as the house itself and have been designed to take full advantage of the exceptional position on Christchurch Harbour.
To the waterside, generous terraces extend across the rear of the house, providing a natural continuation of the principal living spaces and a series of areas for outdoor dining, entertaining and relaxing. The landscaping is deliberately understated, allowing the harbour and far-reaching views to remain the focus. A sheltered seating area with fire pit provides a particularly inviting place to gather later in the day, while the broad waterside terraces offer ample room for larger-scale entertaining during the summer months.
A slipway leads directly into Christchurch Harbour, accompanied by a private jetty and pontoon with a rise-and-fall system designed to accommodate the changing tide. The pontoon is suitable for a boat of approximately 40 feet, offering the rare ability to step from the garden directly onto the water.
The property also owns a significant section of foreshore, including two mooring buoys, further enhancing what is already an exceptionally unusual waterfront holding. Whether sailing, boating, paddleboarding, kayaking or simply enjoying the activity of the harbour from the terrace, the waterside setting is integral to life at The Slipway.
To the front, the property is approached through secure gates onto a generous driveway providing ample private parking. A substantial double garage offers secure parking and additional storage, complemented by a dedicated wetsuit and equipment store – particularly useful given the property’s waterside location – together with a separate plant room and EV charging provision.