St Veronica’s, in Lane End Road, Bembridge.
HOMEFILE
Location...Bembridge
Bedrooms...Five plus one in annexe
Price...£599,950
Agent...Jenny Turnbull
Tel...01983 874777
From a fisherman’s cottage to a nuns’ retreat and now a top bed-and-breakfast establishment, a stately stone property just yards from the sea at Bembridge is rich in character and history.
Imposing double-fronted St Veronica’s standing close to the beach at Lane End Road, Bembridge, has sea views from many of its five en-suite bedrooms — some as far-reaching as Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower.
Dating from the 1800s, the detached home has recently been gutted and restored to an exceptionally high standard, creating a modern interior retaining as many original materials as possible.
St Veronica’s is now ideal for a buyer wanting to take on a flourishing business within a delightful property where all the hard work has been done.
Its great location and comfortable, well-appointed guest bedrooms with quality en-suite bathroom facilities has made it popular with visitors and in June it was awarded five stars by Visit Britain.
The owners are able to retreat to the privacy of a top floor suite and take in wonderful sea views.
Adding to the property’s adaptability is the separate former chapel building used by the nuns from the 1920s to the 1950s and converted into an annexe with a sixth bedroom.
At the front of the main house is parking for several cars with a courtyard at the rear.
The entrance hall is an impressive front-facing area accessed via solid oak arched double doors lead and with original wood panelling, an open brick fireplace and Tiffany wall lights.
Similar lights can be found in the sitting room, with part-height wood panelling and a long burner within a deep brick fireplace with oak beam and rendered chimney breast above.
Also with Tiffany lights is the good-sized dining room featuring part of the original stone wall and with French doors to the courtyard
The kitchen, with slate-style flooring, also has courtyard access along with fitted units, a dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, fridge freezer and cooker with gas burners and two electric ovens.
Stairs with an oak handrail and spindles lead to the first-floor landing.
The four bedrooms off are well appointed, with wooden bedside units, a wardrobe, desk and flat screen television plus stylish en-suite facilities.
There are stunning sea views to enjoy from the private suite on the top floor which has been opened up to create a bedroom/living area with fully tiled private bathroom.
Reached via a walkway from the rear courtyard, the annexe includes an L-shaped open plan living area incorporating a kitchen fitted with work surface and units, an electric hob with oven under and extractor hood over and plumbing for washing machine
There is also a shower room and a bedroom with a side outlook to the courtyard.