Property description
SITUATION
The property enjoys a wonderful and unique, south-facing waterfront position on the shores of a sheltered creek on North East Solent shore of the Isle of Wight. Wootton Creek extends southwards from The Solent, past the hamlet of Fishbourne to the village of Wootton Bridge. It is a hidden gem with many waterfront properties. There is easy access to the nearby Fishbourne-Portsmouth car ferry and to shopping facilities both in Ryde and Newport, the County Town some five miles to the South West offering a multiplex cinema complex, arts centre, and an appealing blend of established high street names and local speciality shops. Waitrose is in East Cowes, within ten minutes driving distance.
There are numerous crossing points to the mainland offering a wide choice: Fishbourne (1.5 miles) has a 40-minute car ferry service to Portsmouth, which is also accessed by a hovercraft (10 mins) and a fast catamaran (18 mins), both passenger services from Ryde and the latter directly linking with onward trains to London Waterloo (1 hr 30 mins). The East Cowes-Southampton ferry (60 mins) is located within 10 minutes drive. (All distances and times approximate).
The property is located in a beautiful wooded coastal setting within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The Island itself has a unique atmosphere boasting unspoiled rural and coastal sailing villages; fine seaside resorts. There is easy access to impressive coastal scenery, beaches and invigorating downland. A wealth of leisure opportunities abound with sandy beaches, sailing, windsurfing and swimming. Cowes is the centre of world yachting; annually the Cowes Week Regatta takes place in August and the Round the Island Race earlier in June.
There are several acclaimed annual music and literary festivals and events at nearby Osborne House and on The Solent. Premier yacht clubs are located around the coast, including the nearby Royal Victoria. Shopping centres at Southampton (West Quay) and Portsmouth (Gunwharf) are easily reached for a day trip.
DESCRIPTION
An elegant 8 bedroom waterside retreat in a New England style with sea and creek views; its own pontoon mooring, and extensive grounds with water frontage (approximately 270m). Arguably one of the finest coastal properties on the Isle of Wight and originally built in the 19th Century as a summer maritime residence, the property was later a sailing school. It underwent a programme of comprehensive modernisation, refurbishment extension from 1990; the high-specification of interior finish includes beautiful Beechwood joinery work. The present owners have in recent years extended the property in-keeping by some 1500 sq feet to provide flexible living space and a superb ground floor guest suite with South-facing veranda and which could be adapted to provide annexe, staff or self-catering accommodation.
The stunning panoramic views from the principal rooms and grounds are complimented by the impressive footprint and easy layout of the house; its idyllic surrounds, considerable water-frontage and direct water access all of which are at a premium in the area. The private drive runs parallel to the water\‘s edge against the stunning back-drop of Wootton Creek. Few houses enjoy such a spectacular setting and this is both a perfect family or weekend holiday waterfront home in a spectacular, prime waterfront position and setting enjoyed by few other houses.
ACCOMMODATION
The main entrance hall opens out to the spacious drawing room (26\‘ x 24\‘) with large crescent shaped bay window offering stunning 190 degree views of Wootton Creek and The Solent beyond; the central log-burning stove enables this room to be enjoyed in both winter and summer. Open plan, it links well to the south-facing dining terrace outside with waterfront gardens beyond and is ideal for entertaining and dining \‘al-fresco\‘ with the ever-changing backdrop of waterborne activities.
The superb kitchen/breakfast room includes floor and wall units with ample granite worktops; 2 sinks for washing and preparation: a range of built-in appliances including a four oven Aga. An adjoining utility room has worktop space, sink and space for further appliances. A formal dining room extends to the east with built-in cabinets and a large south-facing window overlooking water.
A sliding hidden \‘Japanese\‘ door provides access onto the open-plan conservatory atrium; a flexible living space with glazed doors onto a large paved terrace and electrically-operated windows. A short staircase leads up to a study area and on into a self-contained guest bedroom suite which includes double bedroom, fitted wardrobes and a wet room with both shower and w.c. Glazed doors lead onto the south-facing terrace area which incorporates a hot tub spa.
The majority of the bedroom accommodation is arranged on the first and second floors. The master bedroom (20\‘ x 12\‘) with bathroom \‘en-suite\‘, has two pairs of glazed doors opening onto a spectacular private balcony/sun deck that enjoys beautiful views over the Creek and to the Solent beyond. There are a further 2 bedrooms on the first floor, (also a Nordic pine sauna with an adjoining shower cubicle) and 4 more on the second floor. All bedrooms benefit from \‘en-suite\‘ facilities.
GARDENS AND GROUNDS
The approach is via a sweeping gravel driveway giving access to the house, car ports, parking and turning circle. The gardens of approximately 0.9 acres extend down towards the foreshore giving easy access to the slipway useable at high tide and a 54ft double sided floating tidal pontoon.
The gardens have been planned and planted to be easily-maintained and include pathways, terracing and seating areas as well as a large expanse of lawn interspersed and bounded by mature specimen trees, hedges and shrub borders.
The freehold extends to the Mean High Water Mark. A gravel spit is included in the freehold and extends into the Creek, providing shelter to the pontoon landing stage immediately in front of the house, this provides tidal mooring for RIBs and small sailing craft. It is held under Crown Estate lease. A creek mooring could be available on an annual basis. There are a large number of moorings, berths, swinging buoys and pontoons both in Wootton Creek and in Cowes Harbour. Mooring facilities for visiting craft are available at Shepard\‘s Wharf Marina, Cowes Yacht Haven, East Cowes Marina, Whitegates River Pontoons and at Island Harbour Marina.
TENURE
Freehold/Pontoon Mooring on Crown Estate Lease is at an annual rental of £680. In addition a deep water mooring leased from Wootton Creek Fairways Association at an annual cost of £97 for which a new owner would have to apply.
TRAVEL
Travel by car, communications are very good with the M3 motorway from Southampton providing easy access to and from London and the A3 from Portsmouth with the newly opened Hindhead Tunnel now cutting the journey by twenty minutes. Along with regular train services from Southampton Central Station. Connections with the mainland, more importantly, are exceptional with a number of regular car and passenger ferry routes. Travel by Rail 1hr 10min by train from Southampton Central to London Waterloo. Travel by air, the private airfields of Sandown (14 miles) and Bembridge (12 miles) offer a link for private flights from the UK mainland. There is also a local helicopter landing facility within a few minutes of the house.
DIRECTIONS
On arrival at Fishbourne Ferry, turn right into Fishbourne Lane until you reach the traffic lights. Turn right at this point and continue along this road, across the bridge at Wootton. Drive past The Sloop Inn on your right hand side and then take the next right into New Road. Continue along this road until you come to a T junction on Woodside Road and turn right. Proceed to the end of Woodside Road and the property is on your right behind gates.
(All distances and times are approximate).
VIEWINGS
All viewings will be strictly by prior arrangement with the joint selling agents.
Biles & Co - Tel: 01983 872335 Email: sam@bilesandco.co.uk Website: www.bilesandco.co.uk
Spence Willard - Tel: 01983 200 880 Email: cowes@spencewillard.co.uk Website: www.spencewillard.co.uk
SERVICES
Mains water and electricity. Oil fired central heating. Private drainage.