Property description
PROPERTY DESCRIPTION Hall/Study l Reception hall l Drawing room l Sitting room l Games room l Kitchen l Breakfast room l Utility room l Pantry l Eight bedrooms l Three bathrooms l Direct private access onto the beach l Far reaching sea views l EPC: E
Mature gardens, including bowling green, garaging and outbuildings. In all about 2.07 acres (0.837 Hectares)
The Property
Swains House is an exceptional property with one of the very best sea views from any house in the renowned sailing village of Bembridge, at the eastern tip of the Isle of Wight, in a commanding position overlooking the eastern approaches to Spithead and the English Channel. There are excellent connections to the Isle of Wight by ferry, rail and by motorway (A3M to Portsmouth and M3 to Southampton).
The property is an ideal permanent base or second home. The grounds and mature gardens include a long-established Bowling Green/croquet lawn. They are of a sufficient size for a tennis court and swimming pool. The principal rooms of the house look out over the Solent and the activities of Bembridge Sailing Club established in 1886 and one of the premier clubs on the Island.
The accommodation is extensive and adaptable, and includes four principal reception rooms, 8 bedrooms in all, 3 existing bathrooms and plumbing and space for 2 more.
The house is within walking distance of the village, with its convenient and extensive facilities. There is a private aerodrome on the outskirts of the village.
Location
The Isle of Wight, situated off the South Coast of England, is becoming an ever-more popular location for permanent and second homes. Made popular by Queen Victoria, who had her maritime residence at Osborne House, the Island is famous for sailing in the Solent; Cowes Week; its beautiful coastline including sandy beaches and The Needles; spectacular countryside and long sunshine hours. There are now many more facilities than once was the case- Sainsbury's, Tesco, M&S and now Waitrose all have a presence as have other national chains. Communication and transport links are excellent:- regular car ferries connect with the national motorway network and fast catamarans have connections via Southampton and Portsmouth with direct trains to London Waterloo, which can be reached within 2 hours of leaving the Island shore. Government-funded schools are numerous and independent schools thrive on the Island with some children attending prep and public schools on the mainland. Leisure opportunities abound:- walking, riding, paragliding, hang-gliding, team sports, wind-surfing, sailing and other water sports, rugby, football (Newport Football Club) cricket, bowling and golf clubs. Good transport links enable day trips to the shopping centres of West Quay, Southampton, and Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth.
The village of Bembridge is situated on the eastern coast of the Isle of Wight with coastline on three sides of the village. It offers a good range of village amenities and shops, including post office, primary school, library, bank, butchers, greengrocers, a bakery and several restaurants. The village boasts two sailing clubs, Bembridge and Brading Haven with marina facilities and extensive sailing and social programmes. Newport the County Town of the Isle of Wight is some 14 miles to the West being the main shopping and commercial centre of the island. Ryde is some 5 miles away to the Northwest with connections to the mainland and London.
The County Town of Newport is about 14 miles to the west, and Ryde some 5.7 miles to the north-west. Passenger ferries depart from Ryde to Portsmouth, and a fast Hovercraft service operates from Ryde to Southsea. The car ferries run from Yarmouth to Lymington, from Fishbourne (8.7 miles) to Portsmouth, and from East Cowes to Southampton, throughout the day and night.
Ryde is the main independent school on the Island, being fully co-educational and accommodating all ages from pre-school through to sixth form on a full, weekly or respite, boarding basis. A number of island children commute, either daily or weekly, to Churcher's College in Petersfield, St John's College in Portsmouth, Portsmouth Grammar School and King Edward's in Southampton, amongst others. The schools of Winchester are easily accessible from Southampton
.
Sailing - The Solent is world-famous. The Island has several sailing and yachting centres, sheltered harbours and marinas. In addition to the exclusive sailing club at Bembridge, there are Cowes, Yarmouth, Newtown, Wootton, Seaview and Ryde, all between 5 and 45 minutes drive from the house. Sailing and Yacht Clubs include The Royal Yacht Squadron, RORC, Royal London, Cowes Corinthian, Royal Victoria, Brading Haven, and Sea View.
Racing - The ferry services from the island bring Salisbury, Fontwell, Goodwood and Newbury all to within a convenient journey.
Theatre - The Chichester Festival Theatre, the Mayflower at Southampton, and the Theatre Royal in Winchester are accessible.
Outside
The formal gardens lie to the south, east and west of the house, and comprise several lawns, including an old croquet lawn, surrounded by mature trees and shrubs. To the east is a bowling green, standing above a small cliff which descends, via rocky steps, to a small bog garden, where there is a cascade of water running through the garden from top to bottom, encompassing several ponds. There are palm trees, and other exotic shrubs; rocky steps through the garden lead to a gate opening directly onto the beach.
The grounds to the west are terraced, with a formal lawned orchard avenue, a vine and a kitchen garden.
Outbuildings
The outbuildings lie to the north and east of the house and comprise outhouses, garages with a workshop, a boat store, potting sheds and a greenhouse. There is some potential for the conversion of the principal outbuilding to additional accommodation, subject to obtaining the necessary planning consents.
General
Services: Mains electricity, an unmetered mains water supply; mains gas heating; cooking by mains gas; private drainage.
Council tax band: H
Local authority: Isle of Wight Council, County Hall, High Street, Newport PO30 1UD Tel: 01983 821000
Directions
When arriving at one of a number of convenient ports on the Island, either from Portsmouth to Ryde; Southampton to East Cowes; or from Lymington to Yarmouth, Bembridge is well signposted. From St Helens, proceed around Bembridge Harbour, up into the village and onto the High Street. Turn left into Foreland Road, and after 415m, turn left into Swains Road and proceed to the end. Do not turn right into Swains Lane, but continue towards the beach. The drive to Swains House will be found on the left hand side.
POST CODE: P035 5XT
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Biles & Co Ltd for themselves and for the Vendors of this property, whose agents they are, give notice that 1. The particulars are intended to give a fair and substantially correct overall description for the guidance of intending purchases and do not constitute part of an offer or contract. Prospective purchasers and lessees ought to seek their own professional advice. 2. All descriptions, dimensions, areas, reference to condition and necessary permissions for use and occupation and other details are given in good faith, and are believed to be correct, but any intending purchases should not rely on them as statements or representations of fact, but must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise as to the correctness of each of them. 3. No person in the employment of Biles & Co Ltd has any authority to make or give any representations or warranty whatever in relation to this property on behalf of Biles & Co Ltd, nor enter into any contract on behalf of the Vendor. 4. No responsibility can be accepted for any expenses incurred by intending purchases in inspecting properties which have been sold, let or withdrawn. particulars prepared July 2016. 5. MEASUREMENTS AND OTHER INFORMATION: All measurements are approximate. While we endeavor to make our sales particulars accurate and reliable, if there is any point which is of particular importance to you, please contact this office and we will be pleased to check the information for you, particularly if contemplating travelling some distance to view the property.