Steeped in history and dating back to the time of the Napoleonic Wars when it was used as an officer’s mess kitchen, this fascinating converted Isle of Wight stone barn has been in the same family for more than 80 years. It nestles in the midst of about 0.4 of an acre of stunning grounds and is located in the beautiful West Wight area of the Isle of Wight overlooking Colwell Common and only a five minute walk from Colwell Bay.
It is believed to have been converted in the 1930s and still retains some wonderful internal period features including Art Deco fireplaces, quarry tiles and parquet flooring, chequerboard ceiling beams, picture rails and panelled doors. Externally it also has charming features such as black and cream first floor overhang eaves, stone walling around the courtyard and terrace, chimney stacks and a delightful period front door surrounded by stained glass windows. As a reminder of its military past the property is approached through old military cast iron gate posts leading to a tree lined drive and the garage which was the original stables and hayloft.
There is a spacious entrance hall with terracotta tiles, a ground floor cloakroom, stairs to the first floor and a door to the dual aspect, light and bright lounge. This includes parquet flooring, a box bay window and a delightful cast iron fireplace with a stone surround. A corridor leads to the kitchen with its colourful green units and terracotta tiled flooring as well as a back door to the garden and to the triple aspect dining room with its views over the garden and a brick surround fireplace. Upstairs there is a family bathroom, a separate toilet and three double bedrooms including the dual aspect main bedroom with a box bay window and a stunning cast iron fireplace with tiled inset.
Outside this property really comes into its own. There is a shady rear courtyard accessed via French doors from the corridor and a sunny rear terrace together with a formal garden area as well as a wonderful informal garden that is ideal for children to play ‘hide and seek’ with lawns and shrubs as well as mature pine, mulberry, medlar and fig trees and a carpet of primroses in the Spring. There is also a back gate to the lane and space to build an additional dwelling, subject to the necessary planning permissions.