Sea View Road, Freshwater, Isle of Wight

Holmes House is a trophy property which exudes both charm and character. Constructed in 1898, it is a handsome detached Victorian property, formerly a hotel, and returned to private use in the late 1990s. The sunset facing property makes full use of 180 degrees of breathtaking views over Colwell Bay and the Solent and offers more than 7,200 sq ft of light-filled accommodation arranged over three floors. Refurbished to a high standard in 2023, its superb interior design seamlessly blends modern amenities and high-quality fixtures, such as marble bathrooms with underfloor heating, and period features, including sash windows, high ceilings, and original wooden parquet flooring. This luxurious residence is bright and spacious and offers any incoming purchaser a turn-key residence. It has been in our clients’ ownership for 23 years, making this a rare opportunity.

The accommodation comprises a foyer leading to a central drawing room with open fireplace, an L-shaped living/dining room with large front aspect windows, open fireplace and French doors to the garden, a bar room with full bar, enclosed veranda, bespoke window seating and wood burner, a library with nook, a media/entertainment room suitable for use as a disabled bedroom if required, and two marble cloakrooms. The bright eat-in kitchen with sea views is fitted with a range of wall and base units, a recently refurbished Aga, a walk in larder, and pantry. The kitchen leads out to a large 53 sqm fully glazed conservatory/morning room with underfloor heating and French doors to the kitchen garden to two aspects. The kitchen is completed by neighbouring boot/laundry and utility rooms.

A wide “conversation staircase” rises to the spacious first floor landing with reading area, giving access to four bedrooms with en suite shower rooms, two additional bedrooms with Jack and Jill access to an en-suite bathroom, one further bedroom and a family shower room and a study.A rear staircase rises to the second floor comprised of a 2/3 bedroom nanny/granny suite with a large wet room and large storage attic. Holmes House provides the best of both worlds; it is both quiet and private and also the perfect setting for elegant dinner parties overlooking The Solent at sunset, to clifftop BBQs, pool and lawn tennis patio parties, luncheons in the 53sqm conservatory, weddings and special occasions, all with breathtaking panoramic views.

Set in an elevated position at the end of a private road, Holmes House is approached through commanding double gates over a brick driveway leading to a two-car garage and rear parking for multiple vehicles. The property can also be accessed by helicopter and by sea via the Colwell Bay slipway at the foot of the cliff with paved winding path. Extending to 5.18 acres, the property has a lawned formal garden featuring mature evergreen oak trees, sloping to a cantilevered viewing deck extending beyond the cliff edge for 180-degree views, heated swimming pool with paved surround patio and pool house in a secluded, sun-trapped side garden, a games/lawn tennis court, gym, enclosed kitchen garden and numerous seating areas and terraces, all ideal for entertaining and al fresco dining. The remaining land comprises post-and-rail paddocks, box stabling for six horses, a fully equipped tack room, an all-weather manege with dressage mirrors, and numerous sheds and outbuildings (most with electricity). Access to the sandy beach is via a paved path.

Colwell Bay, a watersports hub and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), has stunning views towards Hampshire and Dorset, has clear waters overlooked by a promenade to Totland Bay, sandy beaches, a pub, bars and restaurants, all ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. The property is a stone’s throw from the popular seaside restaurant The Hut. Freshwater and Freshwater Bay offer boutique shopping, a library, sports and community centre, Tesco superstore, cafes, pubs and restaurants. Historic Yarmouth is an affluent destination with independent shops, pubs, restaurants, a marina with sailing and yacht clubs, a pier and a luxury hotel. Transportation links are excellent: The Yarmouth to Lymington Pier car and foot passenger ferry offers daily access to the mainland road network and Lymington Pier’s rail service to Southampton Airport and London Waterloo. The area offers a good selection of state primary and secondary schooling, including Lymington CoE infant and Our Lady and St. Joseph primary schools on the mainland (both rated outstanding by Ofsted) together with independent schools including Walhampton, Durlston and Ballard on the mainland and Ryde and Priory School of Our Lady of Walsingham on the Island.