Description
A substantial Georgian guesthouse with far-reaching sea views providing a unique lifestyle business opportunity
SPACIOUS ENTRANCE HALL | TWO RECEPTION ROOMS | DINING ROOM | CONSERVATORY | KITCHEN | OFFICE | UTILILTY AREA | WINE STORE | SERVICE AREA AND BOILER ROOM
GALLERIED LANDING | HOUSEKEEPERS SUITE | 14 BEDROOMS (13 EN-SUITE) |SEPARATE BATHROOM
SPACIOUS SELF-CONTAINED TWO BEDROOM APARTMENT WITH FAMILY BATHROOM | LAUNDRY ROOM | FURTHER DOUBLE BEDROOM WITH EN-SUITE | DOUBLE GARAGE
OVERALL OPTION OF 17 BEDROOMS SLEEPING 33, 12 OFF-ROAD PARKING SPACES AND MATURE GARDENS & GROUNDS OF APPROX. 1.35 ACRES
The Isle Of Wight & Getting Here - The Island is 26 miles by 13 miles and only a short sea crossing from the mainland, providing a safe haven and tranquil environment. The Island has many attributes such as its slower pace of life, real sense of community and microclimate (which is particularly enjoyed in Ventnor), yet being within 2 hours of London.
Enjoying charming, unspoilt villages and fine seaside resorts, as well as 57 miles of impressive and varied coastline offering breathtaking scenery and many safe, sandy beaches making sailing, windsurfing and swimming popular pursuits, as well as land-based activities such as golf, horse riding and tennis. With an abundance of outdoor space, there is much wildlife and nature to be enjoyed, as well as lots of locally grown produce sold in independent shops and served in the many popular restaurants and cafes. Simply, there is something for everyone.
Ventnor is a particularly creative town, with many independent artists, makers and retailers. There are frequent events to be enjoyed from weekly art classes, seasonal wreath workshops to the annual Ventnor Fringe, one of the largest festivals celebrating arts and culture on the south coast. With many ways of crossing The Solent to the Island, it is easily accessible and an enjoyable journey.
If travelling by car there is a choice of three routes all with frequent services: including, Portsmouth to Fishbourne (45 minutes). If travelling on foot there is a fast and frequent catamaran service from Portsmouth to Ryde (15 minutes) and a similar service from Southampton to Cowes (23 minutes), both connecting with regular mainline train services to London Waterloo. There is also a hovercraft from Southsea to Ryde, taking 10 minutes. To the west of Bembridge there is a small private aerodrome and Southampton Airport is also within easy reach, on the mainland.
The Locality - Situated in the sought-after coastal town of Ventnor to the south of the Island in an elevated position, nestled into St Boniface Down. This sheltered south facing position benefits from an excellent microclimate, with the area developing popularity in the Victorian era for its fresh, clean air, (with prevailing winds coming 6000 miles over the Atlantic). Regularly visited by well-known names such as Charles Dickens, Karl Marx and Thomas Carlisle, many impressive Victorian villas were built which combined with the natural beauty of the area and sea views form a delightful setting. Hillside benefits from an elevated position within the town, from which wonderful southerly views can be enjoyed over its grounds and far into the English Channel.
The beautiful Botanic Gardens, selection of independent shops and array of attractive bars and eateries are only a short walk from the property, whilst Ventnor Beach is also a nearby walk, as well as access to many coastal walks to further beautiful bays and coves.
The Property - Hillside is a landmark period property that exudes charm and dates back to 1800, with the second floor added by John Stirling in around 1843. Traditionally built with Island stone and a thatched roof, the house is Listed, Grade II and offers a selection of beautiful rooms with good ceiling heights, many original features and all principal rooms being south facing, taking advantage of great natural light and the sea views. Having been acquired in 2008, the property has been sensitively and extensively refurbished, (including new flooring, roofing, electrical, heating and plumbing systems) and has been carefully maintained and has an effortless, Scandinavian inspired interior.
Named after its position on the hill side of St Boniface Down, the property is set in grounds of 1.35 acres, bordering National Trust land to the north, which includes the largest Holm Oak forest in Northern Europe, and providing panoramic views to the south the attractive, Victorian town of Ventnor and to the sea beyond. The attractive grounds include a large south facing terrace, lawns and mature trees, beyond which a fenced paddock backing onto the woodland, home to goats, sheep, hens, doves and honeybees.
The Business - Hillside has traded as a private guesthouse (by appointment only), the last 14 years, with the current team winning numerous prestigious awards, including the Good Hotel Guide 2022 Cesar Award.
Hillside is a true gem that offers a unique lifestyle/business balance and a diverse range of opportunities for a purchaser who can choose a balance to live and work from a charming and well-located property with a strong track record and goodwill, all within 1hr 45 minutes of London. There is the option of an operator taking on the day-to-day functions, details of which (as well as recent accounts), are available from the selling agents.
Hillside is owned by a company, with a separate operating company running the business element of the private guesthouse, there is an option to purchase the shares in this company, which would include goodwill and could be sold as a going concern, subject to negotiation. Much of the furniture is high calibre designer pieces and is not included in the sale but some of which can be available by separate negotiation. Equally the art collection is excluded but some of which may also be available by separate negotiation.
Hillside -
Ground Floor - An impressive arched stone porch with decorative canopy frames a panelled front door opening to a spacious entrance hall with a fine period staircase leading to the first floor and galleried landing. There are two attractive reception rooms both with oak flooring, one of which has a wood burning stove and enjoys sea views and opens to the large conservatory.
The conservatory extends across the southern elevation with deep windows providing distant views over the English Channel and with wide French doors leading to the adjacent terrace. A dining room provides 30 covers and has wide openings into the conservatory from which the views can be enjoyed. There is an office with period fireplace and a ground floor bedroom with deep windows with stained glass panels with en-suite shower room.
There is a well-appointed, substantial kitchen most of which has original flagstone flooring with adjacent area with built-in wine storage. Across the rear of the ground floor is a service passage with external access doors to either side with utility area, twin boilers and hot water tanks.
First Floor - Galleried landing with seating area. 7 double bedrooms, 6 of which have en-suite shower rooms and a separate bathroom. Office area, with the option of the Sitting Room/Bedroom and en-suite shower room to become designated housekeepers accommodation.
Second Floor - 6 en-suite bedrooms, 3 of which benefit from stunning sea views framed by the roof thatch.
The Stables - A newly built (2011) two storey building adjacent to the main house comprising:
Ground Floor. - Laundry room, further double bedroom with en-suite, and double garage, car port with EV charging point.
An external wooden staircase leads to a small decked area and access to the:
First Floor. - A self-contained apartment, comprising an open-plan kitchenette dining and seating area, currently laid out with a master bedroom, twin bedroom, family bathroom and with a spacious hallway (currently with a day bed for the potential for more guests).
Outside - A block paved driveway leads to a parking area adjacent to Hillside, (with parking for up to 12 cars). Immediately to the south of the property is an extensive stone paved terrace bordered by stunning white hydrangeas and with space for an outside seating and dining area. Beyond which are lawns and various trees and there is a further timber decked terrace providing a great viewpoint. A walled vegetable and flower garden with boat shed, greenhouse and timber shed occupies a lower level, adjacent to the tennis courts and this is available by separate negotiation.
General Information -
Fixtures & Fittings - Furniture and artwork are excluded from the sale, although some may be available by separate negotiation, please contact the agents for further information.
Vat - If the sale of the property is deemed to be a chargeable supply for VAT purposes such tax will be payable by the purchaser in addition to the sale price.
Non-Domestic Rates - The property has a current rateable value of £12,250. Rates payable for 2022/23 are:
Council Tax £1463
Business Rates £254
Planning - Hillside is considered a guesthouse by the local authority.
Services - Mains water, gas, electricity and drainage. Gas fired central heating via two boilers and water tanks, set in zones to provide instant hot water.
Tenure - Freehold
Epc - The property is Listed, Grade II.
Postcode - PO38 1DR
Viewings - All viewings will be strictly by prior arrangement with the selling agents, Spence Willard.
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 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 properly dealt with and that all information is correct. 4. VAT: The VAT position relating to the property may change without notice.
