On the waterfront: five incredible properties on the market

“Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after,” wrote Henry David Thoreau. Quite right. What they’re really after, we believe he then went on to say, is a historic waterside villa with an infinity pool, speedboat mooring and planning permission for a home cinema. Here, we reel in six former fishing (or, let’s be honest, broadly fisherman-adjacent) properties with which to bait the old cosmic hook.

Built in the 1970s near a renowned local fishing spot in Porto-Vecchio, the low- slung, burnt orange property sits hidden beneath ancient stone pines. On its vast stretch of olive-tree-dotted land (including a second villa and a caretaker’s cottage), this rare property promises complete seclusion and sparkling, crystalline waters

James Edition, €12.5 million

A rare and historic Codfish Park fisherman’s cottage nestled in the heart of Siasconset Village — just moments from the beloved beach. Clad in those inimitable New England ‘shake’ tiles, the little cabin is a liveable piece of local history.

Maury People, $1,945,000

Built on an old fisherman’s dock, this handsome palazzo boasts a lovely infinity pool carved into its pale grey stone. With a jetty and a boathouse, as well as an exceptional, secluded garen and light-drenched frontage, it is one of the more spectacular waterfront offerings on the lake.

Coldwell Banker, €16m

The subject of many a painter’s work across the years, the Grade II-listed Smuggler’s Cottage is situated in a peaceful nook on the River Dart. Along with original flagstone floors and a lovely thatch roof, it even has its own mooring — all very Swallows and Amazons.

Knight Frank, OIEO £1.5m

This beautiful lakefront property is set in the classical Swedish ‘romantic’ style, amid mature parkland on a sun-trap peninsula. Situated near the historic Drottningholm Palace, it features peerless views of the lake and its own private fishing jetty.

Christie’s, £1.7m

Built in the gorgeous, traditional Cap Ferretian style, this five-bed villa sits close to the market at the centre of Cap Ferret, so you can pretty much smell the rotisserie chickens from the terrace. A rare opportunity for a lovely house in the world’s bougiest oyster-fishing village.

James Edition, €3.09 million

This article was taken from the summer 2025 issue of Gentleman's Journal, which you can read more about here.

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