Breakwaters CULVER PARADE, SANDOWN

Breakwaters is a brand-new development of apartments, duplexes and townhouses that has graced the seafront location of Sandown Bay. Occupying a prime position opposite an awardwinning beach, the properties benefit from panoramic sea views across the bay, far reaching views to Culver Cliffs coastline plus the countryside. You can find your desired property within this development of luxury homes that are stylish and modern.

The luxurious feel continues throughout this complex with the properties being built to a high standard, you can choose from a range of fitted kitchens and work tops to suit your style. Appliances will be integrated in the kitchens and underfloor heating comes as standard throughout. As well as this the properties have security entry systems, allocated spaces and visitor parking bays. The apartments boast space with a variety of sizes ranging from 72 square meters to 140 square meters Gross Internal Area within and benefit from Balconies and/or Terraces for al fresco dining. For peace of mind, these properties also benefit from a 10-year Q Assure Warranty.

Sandown Bay was voted the Best British Beach and described as a ‘traditional bucket and spade beach on the east coast of the island with miles of golden sand, pier and eclectic seafront – and just a short walk to peace, fossil-rich cliffs and stunning coastal wildlife’ in BBC’s Countryfile online poll.

In 2021 and 2022 this prestigious coastline was awarded ‘Blue Flag’ status meaning it can fly a flag to show it is recognised regarding its safety, facilities, cleanliness and environmental considerations. Although three other beaches on the Isle of Wight won a seaside award Sandown was the only beach to win ‘Blue Flag’ Status as well as winning a seaside award and only one of 17 beaches across the Southeast region to hold the status in the 2022. Just half of a mile along the seafront is Yaverland beach which allows dogs all year round, the perfect place if you have a pet that needs to stretch their legs, whereas Sandown Beach directly in front of the development is dog friendly in the winter months.

Find Your Perfect Island Property This Spring

Agent: Spence Willard

Situated to the western end of Ventnor Park, Glencliff occupies an excellent position providing exceptional southerly coastal views over nearby Steephill Cove.

The property is situated adjacent to the former stables and Coach House of Steephill Castle (demolished in the 1950s) and is accessed via impressive stone gate pillars. The house was built in the early 1940s with good-sized principal rooms facing south west, providing light accommodation and making the most of the fine sea views.

The house retains many original features including an impressive oak panelled hall, parquet flooring (recently refurbished) and stained-glass windows. In recent years enhancements have been made including a new conservatory with first floor balcony above and a second-floor bedroom suite. With ample parking, a garage, car port, various garden buildings and a lovely south facing garden with seating areas overlooking the coast, it provides a great overall package.

Spencewillard.co.uk

The Penthouse Solent Shores – Gurnard

Agent: McCarthy & Booker

A phenomenal home in, arguably, the best location on the Gurnard coast.

This superb property has outstanding features inside and out. Packed with modern elements such as underfloor heating throughout, blonde oak flooring, bi-fold doors and wrap around balconies. Also benefitting from extremely generous room sizes that have vaulted, double height ceilings in the open plan living area and principal bedroom suite.

The balconies are wide, with decked flooring, and they have glass and steel balustrades thus providing unfettered vistas of the sea, shoreline and countryside surrounding this home. Mccarthyandbooker.co.uk

The Coach House – Shanklin

Agent: Hose Rhodes Dickson

A sweeping driveway is accessed through wrought iron electric gates, flanked by lawn, and enclosed entirely by walls. Offered to the market for the very first time, this property is characterful and sits beautifully in this 1.75 acre plot.

Thoughtfully arranged, the accommodation is spacious and flexible with large family areas that all overlook the grounds. The barn presents opportunity for an additional revenue stream and with careful planning this home could accommodate multi-generational living.

Nearby is the park, complete with duck pond, and a level walk takes you into the Old Village or to the cliff path where the scenery is breath-taking.

Hose-rhodes-dickson.co.uk

This property includes an award-winning tea rooms and restaurant, a pretty gift shop/tourist information centre and has the accolade of winning the ‘Best Commercial Garden on the Isle of Wight’ for its gorgeous sunny tea and beer gardens, with glorious planting, two covered ponds, private areas and extensive lawns seating more than 170 people. While the ground floor and gardens are all part of the business, there is also a delightful, spacious, light and airy four-bedroom first floor apartment available for the owners, flooded with sunlight that starts at a charming landing with arched and diamond pane windows with original stained glass inset. This leads to the contemporary family bathroom with its separate shower and stand-alone bath, together with four bedrooms. One of these is a single that could also make an excellent study or nursery and three are doubles, including the main bedroom with fitted wardrobe.

There is a new, bespoke fitted kitchen with granite worktops and larder plus an exquisite bay window. The superb lounge/ dining room with its exposed beams, bay windows and delightful fireplace is a lovely relaxing space to enjoy the tranquil afternoon and evening sunshine.

Bcm.co.uk

From Cover to Cover with Babushka Books

At Style of Wight, we’ve long been fans of the eclectic literary outpost that is Babushka Books. Situated on Shanklin’s Regent Street, it’s stacked to the ceilings with a tastefully curated array of books, old and new, from first-edition Ian Fleming to novels signed by Hemingway. So, it’s with just a little excitement that we introduce our very first Babushka Books column, compiled by owner, book hunter, and typewriter restorer Reuben Simpson-Little. To coincide with our international issue, Reuben has assembled a selection of four travel-themed titles from around the world, so dust off that bookmark and find your comfiest chair, because it’s time to start reading.

A Russian Journal

- John Steinbeck, Robert Capa.

Penguin, £12.99

Our apartment overlooked an ice rink near the centre of Moscow, 8 flights of stairs and a broken lift. Below us, you’d hear families and young children laughing as they skated beneath the winter sun in Chistye Prudy. An unfortunate coming together with the front end of a Lada Niva meant I had time on my hands to read, and one of the books I had brought with me was ‘A Russian Journal’ by John Steinbeck and Robert Capa. A remarkable document of the post-war Soviet Union told with great humour and wit. Free of any political agendas, this is an intimate reflection of the struggles of the teachers, factory workers, and farmers that made up the USSR in the late 1940s.

Foreign Devils on the Silk Road

- Peter Hopkirk

John Murray, £10.99

‘Foreign Devils on the Silk Road’ was the first book I read when I accepted a teaching post in the backwaters of China. Here Peter Hopkirk paints a picture of the intrepid explorers and gentlemen adventurers of the late 19th century who traversed the Gobi and Taklamakan deserts in search of lost cities and treasure. His storytelling, romantic and elegant, doesn’t shy away from the difficult questions many museums and institutions have to ask themselves today regarding the restitution of the priceless treasures pillaged from the sands.

Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair

- Pablo Neruda.

Vintage, £10.99

Something light was needed to accompany me on a short trip to Mexico in the summer of 2002. The oppressively humid air within the jungles lifted by sunset and a cool beer was teamed with a copy of Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair by Pablo Neruda. First published nearly 100 years ago and met with universal acclaim, his writing floats effortlessly, painting a picture of love and eroticism that is a delight to read. Read aloud and you may just find yourself falling in love all over again.

Kim

- Rudyard Kipling MacMillan, 1901, First Edition, £115

Published in 1901, Rudyard Kipling’s ‘Kim’, his final novel, remains his masterpiece. Set during the Afghan Wars, Kipling paints (even for today) a refreshingly vivid picture of India and its myriad of people. This coming-of-age fairy tale recounts the adventures of a young orphan living on the streets of Lahore. The most rewarding passages describe his time as a disciple of a Tibetan Lama in search of enlightenment. Kipling manages to detail beautifully the colour, energy, and diversity of an India set against the backdrop of the ‘Great Game’. Babushka Books 67

Easter Adventures In Mottistone Gardens

This Easter, treat the whole family to a world of adventure at the National Trust’s Mottistone Gardens.

Hidden around the magical gardens are 10 activities for little explorers to discover. Each one is inspired by an egglaying animal found near Mottistone, from birds to insects and even dinosaurs. As you search across the high banks, in the Wild Woods, and through the grassy orchard, can you slither like a grass snake through tunnels, follow the strange sounds of nightjars, find the glow worm’s glow, and try not to awaken the sleeping iguanodon as you sneak up on its egg?

If you can, there’s a special ‘sign of spring’ stamp to collect at each activity and once you have them all, a Rainforest Alliance chocolate egg or an allergen-free alternative awaits. To help you along the way, each trail pack includes a trail map, pencil, and bunny ears too.

When little tummies start to rumble, the tea garden serves delicious Easter cakes and bakes, as well as sandwiches and light bites, and inside the toilets there are baby changing facilities.

The Easter egg hunt runs from 1st to 16th April (10.30am-5pm, last admission 4.30pm) and costs £3 per trail, with normal admission applying.

For more information, please see www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/isle-of-wight/mottistone-gardens-and-estate