Culver Down Manor
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One of the Isle of Wight's most exceptional properties, Culver Down Manor is an elegant art-deco mansion overlooking Sandown Bay from a prime clifftop setting. ...
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One of the Isle of Wight's most exceptional properties, Culver Down Manor is an elegant art-deco mansion overlooking Sandown Bay from a prime clifftop setting. Built in the 1920's, this building maintains glorious original features, including huge shimmering garden water features, statues and stain glass windows that frame the striking coastal vistas reaching out to Culver Cliff.
As you step into the reception area you are instantly transported back in time, from the piano and ornamental period lampshades to the wooden panelling and even the old boot cleaner. The large entrance hall with grand staircase and beautiful stained glass windows is sure to impress guests upon entering the property. The living space offers an abundance of floor space, the magnificent 22 seater dining table and the grand lounge area are the perfect spaces for the whole group to gather and discuss the highlights of the day.
Culver Down Manor can comfortably accommodate up to fourteen guests and five additional children across its six beautifully appointed bedrooms.On the ground floor is the first of the bedrooms, an accessible room, it is ideal for any guests who struggle with mobility and features two twin single beds and a fully-accessible en-suite wet room. Upstairs are the remaining bedrooms, three king rooms, a cosy double and a family room with a king-size double and two single beds. For those in larger groups, the Morning Room can be set up as a seventh bedroom and features two single daybeds, ideally suited to older children.
Outside, the home is set within 3/4 of an acre of gardens and backs onto the coastal path with excellent sea views. The largest part of the garden is set behind the house and features a spectacular pond which dates back to the 1930's. The terrace comes complete with dining facilities and makes the perfect place to enjoy a spot of al fresco dining after an action-packed day spent exploring the Isle of Wight.
What you should know…
- Due to the age of the house, the bedrooms do not all have en-suite bathrooms however there are more than enough family bathrooms
- The many beautiful ponds and water features mean that small children should not be left to explore unsupervised
- It's about 70 steps to walk down the cliff to the beach (or a 600metre walk down the cliff path)
This home is a part of our Sustainable Collection!
To be part of the collection, homes must meet a minimum of four criteria from our sustainable checklist, or three from the checklist and have a daily carbon footprint of 5kg or lower, based on full occupancy per bedroom. View the full collection here >
This home meets the following criteria from our sustainable checklist:
- Supports the local community (locally owned)
- Supports the local community (promotes local businesses)
- Committed to Renewable and Green Energy
- Promotes Sustainable Living (Recycling)
Property Features
Ground Floor
- Magnificent drawing room
- Fully-equipped kitchen with 3 independent ovens, a gas hob, two dishwashers, American-style fridge freezer and breakfast dining facilities
- Formal dining room with seating for 18 guests
- Accessible bedroom with two 1930's French single beds and wet room with shower seat and grip handles
- Morning room/ bedroom 7 with two single day beds
First Floor
- Master bedroom suite with king-size bed, living area, sea views and access to the sun room
- Bedroom with king-size bed and access to the sun room
- Family bedroom with king-size bed and two additional single beds (one of which pulls out to make either a super-king bed or twin beds) and access to the sun room
- Bedroom with king-size bed, additional single bed and en-suite shower room
- Bedroom with 1930's oak double bed
- Three family bathrooms
Exterior Grounds
- 3/4 of an acre of gardens
- 1930's original feature pond
- Dining facilities
Additional Facilities
- Wi-Fi
- Freeview TV
- SONOS sound system in the drawing & dining rooms
- Hairdryer
- Washing machine
- Iron & board
- Child's highchair available on request
- Parking for 10 cars
Little Sustainability Gems About the Property
In 2020 the owners introduced 'Green at Greentiles' (Greentiles was the original name for the property) in an effort to become more eco-friendly. This included changing all light bulbs to low energy, increasing their emphasis on recycling, and has their own waste certificate.
Please note: There is limited flexibility to change the bed arrangements. Please enquire should you have any questions regarding layout.
Location
About the surrounding area of Culver Down ManorCulver Down Manor is located about a mile from the town of Shanklin, where the Isle of Wight railway terminates. We have ample parking for 6 cars, but you can also come on foot, catching the train from Waterloo, London to Portsmouth Harbour, getting the Cat over and then the Island Train (a 1930's Central Line tube train...honestly!). Get an inclusive ticket!
The Isle of Wight is like going back to 1950's England, the pace is slower, and the pubs are wonderful. We have provided a large secure outhouse for devoted cyclists, although you can hire a bike locally very easily. There is a golf club about 5 miles away, but you might get distracted by the pubs on the way back.
From the house, there are wonderful cliff top walks (or runs), and you are right above the Blue Flag beach (actually it is a lot of steps to get down, perfect for walking off the dinner). There are lots of cycle routes across the island. Of course there are many local attractions, but bring a book, sit in the sunroom and enjoy the 3/4 acre gardens and spectacular views over the bay.
The whole of the Isle of Wight awaits you.
| Local Amenities | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nearest Airport |
Bournemouth and Southampton
(26-30 km) |
||
| Nearest Ferry Port |
Fishbourne
(15 km) |
||
| Nearest Train Station |
Shanklin or Lake
(2 km) |
||
| Nearest Village |
Shanklin
(2 km) |
||
| Nearest Restaurant |
Shanklin
(2 km) |
||
| Nearest Bar/Pub |
Numerous
(1 km) |
||
| Nearest Shop | 500 yards to CoOp | ||
| Nearest Beach | 100 Yards | ||
Kids
Best Suited For: All AgesCulver Down Manor makes an excellent choice for families travelling with children, a number of the rooms can be set up as family rooms with additional single beds, ideal for those with small children. A child's highchair can be provided on request for the little ones while the high-speed internet will keep the older children entertained in the evenings.
Baby and Toddler Equipment
- High Chair(s)
Kids Activities Close-by
- Beach Nearby
- Walk to Beach
- Walk to Village
- Walk to Restaurant
- Outdoor Pursuit & Activities
- Tourist Towns & Villages
Onsite Facilities
- Indoor Games
- DVD
Extras
Catering @ Culver Down Manor
The owners have a selection of approved caterers who they would be happy to recommend and put you in touch with. For fine dining, the owners recommend budgeting approximately £70 per head, per meal, however this will vary depending on menu. Please enquire for sample menus and further information. The owners can also help to arrange freshly prepared meals which can be delivered to the house.
If you have preferred suppliers who are not on the owners approved list, please enquire, they do not mind, as long as they know in advance and they comply with their safety and insurance pre-requisites. All contracts with third party suppliers are always between you and them and while the owners are able to suggest suppliers they unfortunately cannot take any responsibility for their services.
Magnums of Champagne and Fine Wines
Joint owner, Sharon has for years handled fine wines and is rather an expert on Champagne and is delighted to offer her personally selected (and deliberately limited) selection for you to pre-order to be ready on your arrival. Please enquire for further pricing information.
At Oliver’s Travels we pride ourselves on going that little bit further for our guests. From private chefs to babysitters we can help you arrange those little extras that make it a truly memorable holiday. Simply fill in the concierge request form or contact the Oliver’s Concierge Team who will be happy to help. We can typically help you arrange any of the following:
- Maid service/extra cleaning
- Private chef/cook/catering
- Welcome hamper/pre-stocked fridge
- Local day-trips or tours
- Airport pick-up/drop-off
- Babysitting/childcare services
Please note that all extras are subject to availability and must be requested in advance of the holiday (prices on request). Due to some rural/remote locations, not all services will be available at all properties. However, we will always do our best to fulfill your requests!
Oliver's Travels Chef Service: A Gourmet Dining Experience
Make hosting a memorable dinner party at your villa an absolute breeze with our superb Chef Service. Our chefs will take care of everything for you from start to finish so you can just sit back and enjoy the gastronomic experience. They will bring all the necessary ingredients, cook and serve the food and even clean up afterwards. To find out more visit www.oliverstravels.com/chefs
| Security deposit | £750 payable prior to arriving at the property and to be refunded in full within 7 days of departure so long as there are no damages or excessive cleaning required. |
| Arrival time | 4pm |
| Departure time | 10am. Late check-out will result in a deduction of £100 per hour from the damage deposit. |
Terms & Conditions
These terms and conditions may be amended from time to time.
| Security deposit | £750 payable prior to arriving at the property and to be refunded in full within 7 days of departure so long as there are no damages or excessive cleaning required. |
| Arrival time | 4pm |
| Departure time | 10am. Late check-out will result in a deduction of £100 per hour from the damage deposit. |
| Energy costs included? | Yes, included in the rental price |
| Linen & towels included? | Yes, included in the rental price. Please bring your own beach towels. |
| End of stay cleaning included? | Yes, included in the rental price. Please leave the home in the tidy condition you found it or the cost of additional cleaning will be deducted from your damage deposit. |
| Internet access? | Yes, Wi-Fi is included in the rental price |
| Pets welcome? | No pets allowed at the property under any circumstances |
| Smoking Allowed? | No smoking |
| Changeover day | Any day except Sunday |
| Minimum stay | Please note that there is a 3-night minimum stay, this may be increased to 7-nights across peak periods |
| Other Ts and Cs | Please note that external caterers are NOT permitted without prior written consent and a surcharge may be levied for this. The property owners can assist in finding an approved caterer for your stay. |
| Other 2 | No stag or hen do's permitted. The home is situated in a residential area and so please be respectful and limit outdoor noise in the evenings. |
Rental Rates
Prices based on an occupancy of 14 people:
| Rental period | 3 Nights | 4 Nights | 5 Nights | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2nd 2021 - Apr 2nd 2021 | £2,150 | £2,817 | £2,903 | £2,903 |
| Apr 2nd 2021 - Apr 19th 2021 | - | - | - | £5,913 |
| Apr 19th 2021 - May 28th 2021 | £2,688 | £3,548 | £4,408 | £4,408 |
| May 28th 2021 - Jun 4th 2021 | - | - | - | £6,665 |
| Jun 4th 2021 - Jul 2nd 2021 | £3,118 | £3,978 | £4,623 | £4,623 |
| Jul 2nd 2021 - Sep 10th 2021 | - | - | - | £6,665 |
| Sep 10th 2021 - Sep 17th 2021 | - | - | - | £4,838 |
| Sep 17th 2021 - Sep 24th 2021 | - | - | - | £3,763 |
| Sep 24th 2021 - Oct 15th 2021 | £2,365 | £3,118 | £3,225 | £3,225 |
| Oct 15th 2021 - Oct 29th 2021 | - | - | - | £5,913 |
| Oct 29th 2021 - Dec 20th 2021 | £2,150 | £2,580 | £2,580 | £2,580 |
| Dec 20th 2021 - Dec 27th 2021 | - | - | - | £7,525 |
| Dec 27th 2021 - Jan 7th 2022 | - | - | - | £7,525 |
| Jan 7th 2022 - Feb 11th 2022 | £2,150 | £2,817 | £2,903 | £2,903 |
| Feb 11th 2022 - Feb 18th 2022 | - | - | - | £6,020 |
| Feb 18th 2022 - Apr 1st 2022 | £2,150 | £2,817 | £2,903 | £2,903 |
| Apr 1st 2022 - Apr 18th 2022 | - | - | - | £5,913 |
| Apr 18th 2022 - May 27th 2022 | £2,688 | £3,548 | £4,408 | £4,408 |
| May 27th 2022 - Jun 3rd 2022 | - | - | - | £6,665 |
| Jun 3rd 2022 - Jul 1st 2022 | £3,118 | £3,978 | £4,623 | £4,623 |
| Jul 1st 2022 - Sep 3rd 2022 | - | - | - | £6,665 |
Please note that prices may not be 100% accurate for dates outside of the current calendar year. For an accurate quote, please enquire.
Owner name
Laurence and Sharon
How long have you owned the property?
Under 1 year
What was it about the property that you first fell in love with?
This property...
Owner Profile
Owner name
Laurence and Sharon
How long have you owned the property?
Under 1 year
What was it about the property that you first fell in love with?
This property was bought because we love it, we love the architecture and we love the design. Each year we will introduce more and more Art-Deco 1930's features including more Art-Deco furnishings. Our goal over the next five years is to make this property one of the leading Art Deco houses in the UK. Uniquely, our business plan is that any profits we make from this house will be reinvested in the house, upgrading it continually.
Are there any interesting stories in its history?
It would appear that the most influential owners of the House, were the colourful local characters H(orace) Terry Wood and his wife Sadie, who purchased the house and lived and partied there for many years from the 1930's They were responsible for installing the distinctive Art Deco pond and garden design, as these did not previously exist as evidenced by the 1933 particulars of sale. Sadie also installed on brick patio on the lawn facing the sea, two statues of the Great Dane dogs she had been raised with. H Terry Wood owned the Shanklin brewery, several hotels on the island (including the Holliers) and most significantly, Shanklin Pier housing Shanklin Casino and concert theatre which hosted many evening entertainment events. It is documented in several books that the Terry Woods hosted many after-show parties at their home, entertaining stars of the time such as Arthur Askey, Jimmy Tarbuck and Tommy Trinder.
Have you ever had any famous guests staying?
Arthur Askey, Jimmy Tarbuck and Tommy Trinder. (before our time!)
For anyone coming to stay is there anything in the surrounding area they should...
Really do? The Coastal Walk, from the bottom of our garden, and incredibly all round the Island!
Really eat? Fresh locally caught fish in the many restaurants and fish and chip shops on the Island
Really see? The many antique shops everywhere, and of course Queen Victoria's Osborne House
Lastly, what insider tip would you pass on about the property or the area?
Check out MattAndCat online as they seem to have reviewed every pub, every restaurant, in fact EVERYTHING on the Isle of Wight.
Reviews
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Excellent
Excellent location and a spacious well designed house.
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Best holiday ever!
This year we wanted somewhere special to celebrate a Diamond Wedding Anniversary and we found it. It is a lovely house in a spectacular situation. We found it. It is very spacious and well equipped. Just what we wanted. We have been having family holidays in various parts of the country for many years but this was the best ever.
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Happy memories!
There were 3 generations of the family staying. 13 in total. Very well equipped and more glasses than most pubs have. Only slight downside is that en suite was not in vogue when the property was built. There are however enough bathrooms to allocate one to each bedroom, so only a very minor problem. It is definitely in a much better condition that all other placed that I have stayed in and it is obvious that it is also the home of the owners. It was very cold when we were there, but the heating system was up to it. The Hidaway bar and restaurant is a 5 minute walk from the back gate and is open for breakfast. So no need to do too much cooking. We all enjoyed ourselves, and have happy memories of Grandads 70th Birtday treat for the family.
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Stunning house, memorable holiday
We had a fantastic stay at Culver Down Manor - definitely the most beautiful house I've hired. All our guests were delighted with the house and we had a memorable holiday there.
Probably not suitable for families with small children as we had to be very careful not to put glasses on the polished antique furniture without coasters - perhaps the owners should install some glass table tops so that the guests can relax a bit more! -
Quite stunning accommodation and grounds
A quite wonderful art deco house, very clean and extremely well equipped. Beds and bedding were excellent for a good nights sleep for all 13 of us. The weather during our visit was good, so we enjoyed use of the barbeque, and the extensive garden provided ample space for the children to run around and hide, and for playing organised games. Views over the sea from the house were memorable. The house is extremely well situated, being just a few minutes walk to Shanklin, and a little further, but still an easy walk, to Sandown. A walk down steps/slope give you immediate access to the vast sandy beaches between these resorts. The train station at Shanklin was only 8 minutes walk away. The Hideaway restaraunt/bar on the clifftop path is only minutes away on foot, and provided a good alternative to home cooking, or just a place to visit for a drink while watching the wonderful views. Overall this was one of the best holiday accommodations that we've had, and certainly excellent value for the money.
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A real privilege
When I was looking for somewhere to have my sixtieth birthday celebration, I came across this house, and from the description seemed perfect, but just too good to be true. But I can now say that not only did it live up to expectations, but amazingly exceeded them. The setting is stunning, in beautiful grounds on the the clifftop, but it is the house itself that is the star. Big light and airy rooms, with wonderful furnishings and fittings and decor, all in keeping with the Art Deco theme, made you feel you had stepped back into a bygone age. It felt a real privilege to be staying there, and trusted with this amazing place. The big dining room was a perfect setting for my birthday dinner, and the kitchen had everything you could possibly want to prepare and serve the meal. The owner was very helpful and responsive, and on his recommendation we had food for the meal supplied by Deli Tramezzini, which was great, and a cake from Wight Vintage, which was also wonderful. So it was very memorable weekend for us all, topped off by the lovely warm and sunny weather the whole time.
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Absolutely Amazing!!
There are not words to describe quite how fantastic the Culver Down Manor really is. It happily accommodated our party of 17 and is truly a beautiful house. It was completely spotless and a very thoughtful welcome pack was left with some very yummy treats for us. Thank you Laurence and Sharon for allowing us to stay in your wonderful house...we will be back!
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Wonderful, Blissful
A 60th birthday getaway. House was warm and immaculate. All the equipment you could ever need in the kitchen. Fabulous welcome pack with wine and local products. Easy access to costal walks and shop 5 mins away. Beautifully and sympathetically done, the Deco age comes to life! The housekeeper sent my forgotten clothes back (doh!) and was very helpful on all fronts. We stayed in a lot. Why leave??? Blissful.
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Beautiful authentic Art Deco Property
Beautiful , authentic Art Deco property. Fabulous place to relax by the sea and dream of days of old. Stunning views from garden and sea facing bedrooms. A great experience for friends and family.
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Amazing Art Deco Residence
Amazing that a property like this is available to hire – stunning sea views from all front windows and the incredible landscaped garden. The owners clearly have a love of Art Deco with attention to detail and extra home comforts – you’ll never want to leave!
Don't miss out! Reserve now and get a full refund if you change your mind within 48hrs.