Isle of Wight County Press Online

Royal connections at Prince’s cottage

By Judy Marriott

Friday, November 11, 2011

 

Royal connections at Prince’s cottage

Royal connections at this cottage designed by Prince Albert.

HOMEFILE

Location...Whippingham

Bedrooms...Two in house, three in cabins

Price...Guide £320,000

Agent...Laurie Calloway

Tel...01983 866776

SURPRISE upon delightful surprise unfolds at a beautifully restored and upgraded Whippingham cottage designed by Prince Albert.

Springside is on the far end of a terrace of four homes off the main road through the village which were built for workers at Osborne House using VR-stamped bricks from the nearby brickyard.

Dating back to 1845, it has been sympathetically upgraded by its owners of ten years and has kept its lovely VR-stamped brick flooring in the kitchen/diner.

Adding to the welcoming cottage feel are wooden details, including dado rail, fitted cupboards and architrave skilfully made by one of the owners who was a professional boatbuilder.

Surprises begin on arrival in the good-sized front parking area, flanked by trees in vivid autumn livery with a climber-clad arbour beneath, ideal for outside dining.

With a field to one side and a copse beyond, you could be in the heart of the country and the lushly planted gardens, complete with a large swimming pool, create quite a picture.

Next to the heated 30ft by 12ft swimming pool — reaching 6ft 6ins in depth — is a charming bathing machine, made by the owner, hiding pool equipment.

Beyond this area is a super 'secret garden’ like a natural woodland glade with trees, bamboo and a pond fed by a natural spring that never runs dry.

The owners love to spend time in a cabin with a sunny deck in this little piece of paradise where squirrels play and ducks nest on the pond’s island.

Overlooking the pond, the cabin provides useful space for guests or for a study as the main house has only two bedrooms.

Along with a fitted kitchen with built-in oven and hob, it has two bedrooms, a sitting room and a shower room.

The other big discovery to be made at Springside is a further cabin next to the parking area.

Behind its modest exterior is a comfortable and appealing double bedroom, shower room, fitted kitchen and living area with access to its own courtyard garden.

The cottage itself is as neatly presented as a new pin with a tile-floored entrance porch leading to a lobby with turning stairs to the first floor.

Warming the inviting sitting room with a side window and French doors to a small front patio is a woodburning stove.

In keeping with the cottage feel, the side-facing kitchen with ceiling beams is fitted with wooden units and has an electric cooker with extractor over, space and plumbing for appliances and a door to a separate WC.

Off the upstairs landing, lit by a front window, is a bathroom with a white suite and two double bedrooms.

Pretty side-facing bedroom one has an attractive feature fireplace and an en-suite shower room.

There are southerly views over adjoining Heathfield Copse to countryside from bedroom two.

In the well laid out, lawned upper garden are well-stocked beds and the paved area around the swimming pool is a great spot for relaxing in the sun.

This garden slopes gently down to the lower wildlife garden area.

See more pictures of the CP Property of the Week by clicking here

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