The Norris Castle Estate and Springhill Estate at East Cowes have come to the market through Savills for a guide price of £4,500,000.
The Grade I listed Norris Castle together with a number of residential properties, farm buildings, stables and castellated walled garden, is set in 225 acres overlooking the Solent.
Norris Castle was designed by James Wyatt and built in c1799-1804 as a marine villa for politician Lord Henry Seymour. Wyatt had previously worked on repair and restorations at Windsor Castle and the Houses of Parliament. The castle combines both Norman and Georgian architecture and was built from locally mined stone.
The parkland landscape, believed to have been designed by Humphrey Repton, is the Isle of Wight’s only Grade I listed landscape. Among the buildings included in the sale is the Grade II listed Bathing House and a 50m length of raised sea wall.
The estate was regularly visited by Queen Victoria during her youth and is next to her country home, Osborne House.
A planning application for the redevelopment of the Norris Castle Estate was refused in April last year.
In addition to the Norris Castle Estate, there is the opportunity to buy the neighbouring Springhill Estate, though not in isolation. This estate was established by William Goodrich in the late 18th century and includes a number of residential properties, a convent and traditional farm buildings, set in 43 acres.
Jonny Kiddle, head of Savills South Coast Development, says: “The sale of The Norris Castle Estate presents an opportunity for an incoming buyer to restore this historic castle to its former glory, securing its long term future.
“We anticipate interest from a range of buyers keen to explore any potential for redevelopment and opportunity for asset management.
“The estate’s position overlooking the Solent affords the most incredible far reaching sea views.”
The Norris Castle Estate and the Springhill Estate are being marketed by Savills for a guide price of £4,500,000 for both, or £3,000,000 for the Norris Castle Estate.