September 2024 Auction: Haddon Lake House, Old Park Road, St. Lawrence, Ventnor, Isle Of Wight, PO38 1XR
AUCTION DATE: Wednesday 18th September
BIDDING LIVE: Monday 16th September
WEBSITE: cliveemson.co.uk/properties
REGISTER TO BID: cliveemson.co.uk/online

Set on a plot of around 0.9 hectares (2 acres). which were formerly part of the pleasure grounds of Old Park - a Victorian mansion dating back to the 1820s - Haddon Lake House sits in the wooded undercliff of the Isle of Wight, renowned for its microclimate.

Early in the last century the site fell into disuse and has seen periods of decline and restoration ever since. In 2002, consent was granted to the current owners for the building of a contemporary house on the lake site, on the proviso that the landscape be restored to its former glory. The resulting contemporary self-build home more than achieved that aim and decked out over a third-of-an-acre lake at the western end of the site. The landscape restoration project has included the careful reinstatement of the early Victorian walled kitchen garden, complete with period greenhouse, cold frames, potting shed, and access paths. Adjoining the walled garden is a contemporary Japanese-style influence courtyard that acts as a cool contrast to the walled garden. Both the garden and house have been widely featured in national and international media, winning awards for both the architecture and landscape.

The main house provides flexible living accommodation over three floors and has on occasions in the past been split to provide two self-contained dwellings. This division could of course continue with a view to providing annexe or holiday accommodation should the new owners so require.

In more recent times the Boathouse has been converted to provide stylish detached living accommodation, adjoining the walled kitchen garden. This additional accommodation has given the site still further flexibility in respect of its accommodation, with the Boathouse having been used as a successful commercial holiday let in the recent past.

Sadly, in March 2024 a landslip robbed Haddon Lake House of much of its lake through the slide of earth from the adjacent hillside. In addition, there was, what is believed to be, some relatively minor damage caused to the northern edge of the main house. A specification, drawing and estimates for the restoration of the lake and repairs to the northern edge of the house will be available for download alongside the auction legal pack.

The house and gardens have featured in numerous publications and newspapers, and in 2008 took part in the television series 'I Own Britain's Best Home and Garden', with Haddon Lake House being declared the winner of its episode. The property also featured in the Channel 4 series George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces in 2023.

The gardens have also attracted national and international attention in their own right. A quotation in print by Andrew Wilson, garden author and chair of assessors for RHS Chelsea show gardens reads: 'Some places are simply special, revealing their unique character as one arrives, drawing the visitor in with a distinctive personality and presence. Haddon Lake House is such a place; one dip into its isolated beauty and you will be forever hooked'.

Further information available at https://www.cliveemson.co.uk/properti...

Interested applicants are advised that this video is solely intended to show the general decorative condition of the property and must not be relied upon to provide information purporting to the structural condition of the property or the extent of any work required.