Property description
A substantial waterfront property with 2 apartments, beach front gardens with swimming pool and stunning sea views, a short walk from passenger ferry services with direct links to London.
Beldornie Tower
Originally a property of the Earls of Yarborough and dating back to the C16 or early C17 the property was virtually rebuilt for Edward Utterson a London Barrister and publisher in around 1840 in the Gothic-Jacobean style with the subsequent addition of a west wing in 1880. Unusually, it has not been on the open market for over 50 years. The house is Listed, Grade II and provides extensive accommodation with many fine period features including open fireplaces, high ceilings, cornicing, deep skirtings, window shutters and carved panelling. There are 2 self-contained apartments on the lower floor. Set in grounds of about 0.7 acre, there are unobstructed, 180 degree views over The Solent and Spithead from many of the rooms and the terraced gardens which slope down to the sea. A gates access leads onto the beach and a swimming pool with surrounding decked terrace provides a superb entertaining space adjacent to the beach.
The proximity of the property to the frequent ferry links to Portsmouth and onward to London (via rail and the A3) make commuting to the Capital a significant possibility. The beach and waters by the property are ideal for dinghy sailing, kayaking, wind-surfing, kite surfing and swimming.
After being acquired privately by the present owner in around 2004 the property was improved and extended to provide a fine single storey modern kitchen. In all, this is a rare opportunity to acquire a historic landmark property benefitting from a beachside location.
Ryde has an excellent range of restaurants, cafes and shops as well as a marina and an excellent sandy beach popular with swimmers and kite surfers. Ryde school (HMC) is a short walk away, as are fast passenger ferry and Hovercraft services to Portsmouth and Southsea (crossing times of 20 and 12 minutes), with onward train connections to London. The fast catamaran docks at Portsmouth Harbour Station with train times from 1hr 36 mins (fast train) to London Waterloo. The car ferry crossing is a 10 minute drive away. Both the previous owners commuted to London. Portsmouth Grammar School attracts many pupils from the Island and the Hindhead Tunnel has significantly reduced road travel times to London.
Accommodation
The interior is for the most part contemporary with the West Wing (1880) and later. However it contains some fine late Elizabethan and Jacobean oak panelling introduced in the C19, though parts of it may belong to the original house. The hall has arcaded panels reaching half way up the wall, divided by Ionic fluted pilasters on pedestals, shell motif in the arches and cherubs heads above. The living room has an ornate overmantel dated 1660 though in style it would seem to relate closely to the type of decoration found on the Island at Arreton Manor House and Sheat Manor House at Gatcombe, where the panelling work of Ionic columns and strapwork details with figurative sculpture. The bookcases in the study have been faced with odd pieces of carving that have been removed from other parts of the house including two figures supposedly of Elizabeth I and Raleigh.
Ground Floor
Entrance Hall
Solid oak front door to an impressive entrance with carved oak panelling.
Inner Hall
with a curved staircase.
Morning Room
Fireplace with stone mantle and carved panelling.
Dining Room
A well proportioned double aspect room with bay window overlooking the rear garden and fine arched windows either side of the fireplace overlooking The Solent. Oak dresser with book shelving.
Kitchen/Breakfast Room
A modern addition and extremely light triple aspect room built in around 2004 with bi-fold doors opening onto a terrace overlooking The Solent. A high vaulted ceiling with Velux windows and stone tiled floor. Butler sink, shelving, space for twin dishwashers and range cooker.
Cloakroom and WC.
Music Room
South facing, fireplace.
Drawing Room
A substantial reception room with stunning sea views, high ceiling and an open fireplace with stone surround. Period cornicing, picture railings and a large bay window with seating.
Laundry Room
Shelved storage, cupboard housing two 'Worcester' boilers and plumbing for washing machine and dryer.
Shower Room
Tiled throughout, wash basin, WC and large shower cubicle.
First Floor
Landing & Stairwell
Decorative beamed ceiling with family crest emblems inset.
Bedroom 1
A large bedroom with bay window and built in wardrobes
Bathroom en-suite
Wash basin, WC, free standing roll top bath with shower attachment and separate shower cubicle, heated towel rail.
Bedroom 2
A large double bedroom with built-in wardrobes and an open fireplace, views across The Solent.
Family Bathroom
Bath with shower attachment, WC, wash basin and separate shower cubicle.
Bedroom 3
A double aspect bedroom with sea views and an open fireplace. WC and wash basin situated in the tower.
Bedroom 4
A large double bedroom overlooking The Solent and with an open fireplace.
Bedroom 5
Built-in wardrobe and sea views.
Bathroom
Roll top bath and wash basin. Small stained glass window with easterly outlook towards Ryde pier. Separate WC.
Second Floor
Bedroom 6
Open fireplace and Solent views.
Study
Eaves storage.
Lower Ground Floor Eastern flat
Comprising a hall, kitchen and spacious sitting room both with sea views, 2 double bedrooms, a shower room and a bathroom.
Lower Ground Floor - Western flat
Comprising a hall, cloakroom, dining room, kitchenette, sitting room with a small terrace and open fireplace, 2 bedrooms and a bathroom.
Historical Note:
Edward Vernon Utterson (1775/1776 - 14 July 1856) was a British Lawyer, literary antiquary, collector and editor. He practised in the Court of Chancery. Appointed (1815-1842) to be one of the Six Clerks in Chancery and then recorder of Chichester (1818). An uncompromising Tory of the old school, he was an opponent of the system of 'retrenchment' which followed in the wake of the passing of the 1832 Reform Act. In around 1835 he moved to the Isle of Wight, residing first at Newport, before moving to Ryde, living first at Buckland Grange and then building Beldornie Tower, where he set up the Beldornie Press in 1840. When Edward Dawes was elected Member of Parliament for the Isle of Wight in May 1851 on the principles of free trade, Utterson temporarily left Ryde in a fit of pique. He was a collector of books, drawings and prints, and has been described as a "book-collector of real importance and high rank. He has taste, knowledge and experience". He was elected a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries in 1807. He edited a number of books from 1812 to 1839, and then founded his own press at the house Beldornie Press, publishing a number of notable reprints from 1840-1843 in very limited numbers, each copy numbered. John Payne Collier discovered a number of inconsistencies and errors in the books, and published a note to that effect assuming Utterson to be dead. Utterson quickly wrote to him informing him that he was alive and well, Collier published a second note, apologising for the confusion. Utterson was also a talented amateur artist; many of his works remain in the British Museum. A keen sailor in his yacht "Iris" of Ryde, he was a member of the Royal Western Yacht Squadron (Portsmouth) and a Trustee of the Royal Victoria Yacht Club in Ryde.
The House was subsequently owned by another literary (and military) figure: Maj General DJF Newall (Bengal) who penned 'The Highlands of India' in 1882 recently reprinted in the sub continent.
Outside
Approached via an impressive arched opening with wrought iron gates leading to a gravelled parking area adjacent to which are twin carports in need of repair. To the southern side of the house is a large paved terrace leading to the front door. The principal gardens lie on the seaward side of the house where a large lawned garden with panoramic views over The Solent. Steps lead down to a lower lawned garden, below which is a large decked terrace incorporating a swimming pool (approx. 11m x 5m) with filtration equipment and heating system, (not tested). There is gated access along the sea wall to the beach access. There is extensive storage under the terrace for kayaks and beach equipment.
Postcode
PO33 3AU
Directions
From Spencer Road turn into Augusta Road and after approximately 200 metres turn left into Sea Close. Follow the road around to the right and then to the left and the entrance gates to Beldornie Tower will be found ahead.
Services
Mains water, electricity, drainage and gas. Gas fired central heating (with independent heating systems for the house and 2 apartments).
Important Notice:
1. Particulars: These particulars are not an offer or contract, nor part of one. You should not rely on statements by Spence Willard or Biles & co in the particulars or by word of mouth or in writing ("information") as being factually accurate about the property, its condition or its value. Neither Spence Willard nor any joint agent has any authority to make any representations about the property, and accordingly any information given is entirely without responsibility on the part of the agents, seller(s) or lessor(s).
2. Photos etc: The photographs show only certain parts of the property as they appeared at the time they were taken. Areas, measurements and distances given are approximate only.
3. Regulations etc: Any reference to alterations to, or use of, any part of the property does not mean that any necessary planning, building regulations or other consent has been obtained. A buyer or lessee must find out by inspection or in other ways that these matters have been property dealt with and that all information is correct.
4. VAT: The VAT position relating the property may change without notice.
Image of bedroom
Image of bedroom
Image of bedroom
Image of water view
Image of water view
Image of bedroom
Image of living room
Property Info: