WELCOME TO
3 GOLDEN HILL FORT
UK’s only Grade 1 listed Fort with landscaped roof gardens
YARMOUTH, ISLE OF WIGHT
5* Rated ( but sorry no dogs & non-smoking house )
COVID deep cleaned for your stay
HISTORY AND LOCATION
Located close to affluent Yarmouth with the marina and Lymington/Yarmouth ferry, Freshwater village (with its supermarkets, good fishmonger and butcher) , the Needles and coastal footpaths and the sands of Colwell Bay. This is a perfect holiday location.
The Fort is in the midst of a protected country park for walking, riding and picnicking and with 360 views from the roof gardens of the Solent and Tennyson Down close to the Needles.
The Fort was built in 1853 as a Palmerston defence against possible French attacks on the mainland, guarding the sea passages to the Solent and Portsmouth. It garrisoned 56 soldiers guarding the coastline but is now a Grade 1 listed building, compromising 18 private town houses all facing a hexagonal fountained courtyard with secure double gated access.
The communal landscaped roof gardens have seating and a bbq area with stupendous 360 views and a great place for sunrises and sunsets.
The Lymington Ferry is close by and the Portsmouth ferry is 30 mins drive away at Fishbourne.
Sorry - No dogs or other pets allowed.
2 marked car spaces in the courtyard outside the house.
Supermarkets and Amazon deliver.
ACCOMODATION
Open plan living dining, lux kitchen with dedicated wine fridge, all overlooking the moat and courtyard with 2 car spaces, leading to roof garden above
3 bedrooms (king with ensuite shower room, double and twin so for 6 persons with cot available) and family bathroom.
See gallery for photos
BEDROOMS
3 bedrooms with 2 bathrooms, all on the ground floor off the entrance hallway, before stairs lead you up to the open plan first floor.
Master Bedroom - king bed with botanical blinds and ensuite shower room, wc and basin. The bedroom has a view onto the central courtyard.
Bedroom 2 - double bed
Bedroom 3 - twin room
- these bedrooms have a view to the grass moat behind.
Family Bathroom - bath, shower over and WC
1ST FLOOR OPEN- PLAN LIVING & DINING WITH BALCONY
The vaulted exposed brick of the Fort creates an amazing living and social space for cooking, dining, relaxing, watching films, lounging with double doors leading to the sheltered balcony.
Here there is a view over the courtyard fountain with fresh air covered by a glass roof with a patio set for dining and rattan sofa for collapsing with a drink and a book .....or a kindle.
The kitchen - cooking and entertaining is a joy with Neff double ovens, induction hob, microwave, wine fridge, dishwasher, washing machine, huge fridge freezer and Nespresso coffee machine with surrounding granite stone worksurfaces and all the equipment you are likely to need for your stay.
Tech - new 55'' smart TV with house Netflix, a large Bluetooth speaker to play streamed music and the Opus sound system streams radio to all rooms with integrated speakers.
Underfloor heating on the first floor and radiators in the bedrooms make the holiday house cosy and warm.
Art - The walls are hung with art from local artists James Lord and Kate Richardson, showing land and seascapes close to the house including the famous Needles.
See Gallery for more house photos
THE COUNTRY PARK & CHILDREN
GOLDEN HILL COUNTRY PARK
The fort sits within Golden Hill Park amounting to 20 h. and provides paths and trails for all ages in the woodlands, grasslands and around the ponds. There is direct car free access to this park from the house.
A natural willow and hazel structure echoing the fort is being created in '21 and the park is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
CHILDREN
For young families, double electric gates and entry system to the Fort give security. High chair, travel cot (but not bedding) potty and sink step are provided & crabbing kits for those all little older!
The Roof Garden
Accessed from either of 2 circular staircases previously used for ammunition hoists, the roof garden is an breathtaking space to relax, exercise, practise your yoga, lounge, take in the sunsets with friends and family. There are views to the Solent, the country park and over to Tennyson Point and Downs...see the Gallery for more photos of this !
THINGS TO DO.....
Subtitle
Yarmouth - A Georgian gem with a marina, deli, pier, boutiques, art gallery, coffee and restaurants and great walks, especially the creek-side walking and cycle trail to Freshwater. Fishing trips from the town and free pier crabbing with the house kits provided.
Freshwater - the local village with all you need from a garage, shops (incl fishmonger and butcher), takeaways (who deliver) and fish and chips. Visit Piano cafe for great coffee, food and local art.
Beaches - Freshwater Bay, the bays and coves of the south and west coasts and Colwell and Totland Bay are all close.
Boats - IOW is the capital of sailing and power boating. Yarmouth marina is 'down the hill ' with Cowes 30 mins drive away with marina's and shopping.
We have partnered with EML CHARTERS who have amazing boats to suit with a fleet of Axopars and Sunseekers - see the link on the Menu bar to explore and book.
Coastal footpath - the 65 mile path is famous and we are close to the path from Yarmouth to Chilton, via The Needles and Freshwater Bay. We love the Tennyson Trail part, a circular walk across Tennyson Down and the cliffs then home via the trail.
The Needles - Drive or walk from the Fort to Alum Bay and then walk onwards to the Battery and Needles, winter or summer it’s a great walk. At the carpark there is the seasonal Needles attraction, including the chairlift down to the Bay to see the Needles with boat trips.
Long lunches (and dinners) - The George Hotel (with additional outside kitchen in summer), The Terrace , On the Rocks all in Yarmouth and The Hut at Colwell Bay are all close - as are good pubs like The Red Lion Freshwater Causeway and High Down Inn. Cowes is a short drive or taxi with Coast, House and Smoking Lobster to name three of many restaurants.
Osbourne House - The Royal residence of Queen Victoria is an English Heritage property, with a great private beach and walks in addition to the Italianate house - a must to visit. Booking for house needed.
Castles - Carisbrooke, again English Heritage is 30 minutes away, booking needed. Yarmouth Castle in the town centre is now open and has a great view from the ramparts
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