NORRIS Castle, in East Cowes, is set to become the most prestigious wedding venue in the south, developers Uavend have said.
Uavend Norris Castle Ltd bought the Grade I-listed estate in 2016 with a plan to restore and convert the old castle into a luxury hotel.
Uavend have now said the castle will boast 16 luxury rooms and 110 bedrooms, alongside detached houses and farm buildings, which will be converted into 21 homes.
Set within more than 225 acres of land with a mile of waterfront, the castle will undergo sweeping restoration work in order to convert it into a hotel complete with spa and conference facilities. Uavend said the 21 houses would be designed to blend in with the heritage of the site and would be luxuriously renovated.
Built in 1799, the castle has played host to a number of important historical figures, including George IV and Queen Victoria, when she was a young princess.
Queen Victoria later returned with Prince Albert to consider buying Norris Castle but baulked at the asking price and decided to build the neighbouring Osborne House instead.
Historic England upgraded the Norris Castle estate from Grade II to Grade I in recognition of the landscape’s historical significance.
Uavend has said the first phase of the development would be the restoration and conversion of the castle and the second phase the renovation of the detached houses.
Start and completion dates for both phases are to be confirmed.