5 bed property for sale

Stunning Period Home, Cowes. PO31

Debourne Manor, steeped in history and charm is nestled in mature, private gardens and offers over 3,400 sq ft of characterful accommodation with scope for modernisation and with planning permission in place to extend to more than 4100 sq ft. With original features, large reception rooms and beautiful gardens with old and new walls to give seclusion, it provides a rare opportunity to create a truly exceptional family home. Located just a mile from Cowes and moments from the seafront, this is a super piece of history is available to purchase chain free.

Debourne Manor

Debourne Manor, steeped in history and charm is nestled in mature, private gardens and offers over 3,400 sq ft of characterful accommodation with scope for modernisation and with planning permission in place to extend to more than 4100 sq ft. With original features, large reception rooms and beautiful gardens with old and new walls to give seclusion, it provides a rare opportunity to create a truly exceptional family home. Located just a mile from Cowes and moments from the seafront, this is a super piece of history is available to purchase chain free.

Interior

This handsome, stone Manor dates back to at least the 18th century and occupies a tranquil position near Gurnard and the seafront. Spanning three floors in the main house with an additional annex wing, the manor presents a rare chance to own a piece of Isle of Wight heritage. The current owner has begun the thoughtful restoration of original features, including striking stone fireplace surrounds, revealing the grandeur of a bygone era. This is a rare opportunity to own a home steeped in history with the space, setting, and permissions to tailor it to modern family life or create a truly showstopping residence.

Ground floor

The ground floor boasts a series of generously proportioned reception rooms and include:
A grand drawing room with original beams, deep bay window, parquet flooring and beautiful stone mullioned windows.
Formal dining and sitting room, both featuring original stone fireplaces and peaceful garden outlooks.
A kitchen/breakfast room with oak front cabinets and a lovely brick fireplace.
First floor & second floor


Five bedrooms, 3 of which are of very generous size including a principal bedroom, dual aspect with garden views and ample storage. In addition, two bathrooms and a dressing room/optional fifth bedroom or a perfect office serve the first floor, while a delightful attic bedroom on the second floor enjoys far reaching views over the rooftops to the western Solent.

Exterior

Approached via a gated, gravelled “in and out” driveway, Debourne Manor is embraced on all sides by beautifully maintained gardens—believed to date back to the late Georgian or early Victorian period. A flagstone path, flanked by well-planted borders and mature shrubs, leads to the impressive entrance.

Notable plantings amongst a myriad of many include over 50 David Austin roses, a remarkable variety of specimen trees, including Turkey Oak, Atlantic Blue Cedar, Bhutan Pine, Pride of India, Sweet Chestnut, Swedish Birch, Amelanchier, a magnificent ancient Mulberry tree, -also found at Osborne House. Fruit trees include plum, crab apple, apple eaters, and cherry.

A large garage with two adjacent stores, converted from original outbuildings and fully powered, offers excellent storage and potential for a workshop or studio. The private driveway can accommodate several vehicles.

History

Debourne Manor dates back to at least 1255, - then known as 'Depeburne', its name thought to reference the underground freshwater springs that still nourish its beautiful gardens. Once a modest farm, the site evolved over centuries into a significant estate. In the late 18th century, financier George Ward—who later built Northwood House—acquired Debourne, incorporating its 142 acres into the grand Northwood Park estate.
A striking stone wing, believed to be designed by celebrated architect John Nash, was added in the early 1800s. Local lore and a 1901 County Press article suggest this wing served as a private dining hall for the Prince Regent, later King George IV, a known visitor to the Island and associate of both Ward and Nash.

In later years, the property served as a Royal Navy nautical school during the 1950s before returning to private residential use. It has since been in the care of just two owners in over four decades, a testament to its enduring charm and comfort.

Cowes

Debourne Manor is quietly situated just a mile from Cowes town centre and within walking distance of Gurnard Bay, with it's green picnic area and nautically themed play park and iconic row of green beach huts, busy sailing club and gastro-pub- The Woodvale..
Cowes is rich in nautical heritage and an international mecca for sailing, culminating in Cowes Week held in August each year. It has quick access to Southampton via the more modern Red Jet as well as many marinas and sailing clubs dotted along the waterfront, or easy access via the chain link ferry to east Cowes and the vehicle ferry service.

Further Information

Services: Mains gas, electricity, water, drainage. Gas central heating via Potterton boiler.

Renovations and Works Carried Out Include:
Chimney repair (x 6 chimneys) – replaced pots, relined brick supports, repaired leaks
Fireplace surrounds & hearths (x 6 fireplaces) – remove broken Victorian cast iron grates, repoint
lower chimney, install stone fire surrounds, install stone hearths
Original stone fire surrounds & hearth
Stone garden walls (front garden) – clear ivy & treat, repair & repoint )
Front boundary wall (23m length) – clear trees, shrubs & undergrowth,
purchase original iow stone (35 ton plus capping)
Garden clearance & planning – clear all four gardens (central circle, front, two to rear), remove
three mature trees (damaged), remove shrubs & undergrowth, reseed lawn, plant roses
Planning permission, research & enforcement- professional ground survey, conservation &
heritage architect, planning team, structural surveyor, historian & researcher.
Planning permission to increase the property to 4,166.88sq (410.53m2).