The best kind of medicine: time warp Hastings home of first female doctor Elizabeth Blackwell for sale

The former Hastings home of the world’s first qualified female doctor has gone on sale for only the second time in a century — and stepping through the front door is like entering a time machine.

Dating back to about 1835, Rock House overflows with history and character at every turn. But it wasn’t until 1880 that Elizabeth Blackwell moved in. She went on to write many important medical essays here over 30 years and there is a granite plaque commemorating her residency on one of the external walls.

Built from red brick with blue sliding shutters, this beautiful, double-fronted Georgian property has direct views over the historic Old Town and across the English Channel, adding to its olde-worlde seaside charm.

The vast 2,000 sq ft property has five bedrooms, two reception rooms, a large dining room, a kitchen and a glorious, if slightly overgrown, sun terrace.

The current owners have restored the Grade II-listed home while adding new central heating, plumbing and electrical wiring. The interiors have been kept sparse to let the original features shine, including the fireplaces and the mahogany turning staircase bang in the centre of the grand entrance hall

There are also stripped floorboards and original stone steps throughout, a dramatic floor-to-ceiling bay window in the main sitting room and built-in Georgian cupboards in the rear ground floor bedroom that was formerly Blackwell’s study.

French windows lead directly into the garden from a huge living/dining space. This room’s original panelling and paint have been left untouched for an authentic feel. The kitchen leads off it, with exposed brick walls and a traditional walk-in larder. There are two further walk-in cold stores with original stone shelves on this floor, as well as a fabulous tiled hallway.

Upstairs are three large bedrooms and a spacious bathroom with a large picture window for enjoying those unmatchable views.

Nat Ryder, director at Knight and Knoxley estate agents, said: “Rock House is an exceptional home, certainly one of the finest in Hastings.

“The house occupies a fantastic position at the foot of West Hill and is a truly unique property steeped in history and brimming with character, the perfect family home or seaside getaway.

"Hastings is a vibrant place to live with stunning architecture, historical and cultural resonance and a beautiful open coastline."

Trains from Hastings to London Bridge take just over 80 minutes, making this a viable commuter home for city workers. Expect to fork out £4,836 for an annual season ticket.

The fantastic Hastings Pier (recently named Pier of the Year and winner of the highly prestigious RIBA Stirling Prize) is within walking distance of Rock House and regularly hosts live gigs and shows.

The town also hosts the Hastings Half Marathon, the Jack in the Green Festival, Hastings Beer Festival, Coastal Currents, the Old Town Carnival and three seafood festivals. It launches its first literary festival this weekend.

Rock House is on the market for £950,000 through Knight and Knoxley.