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Sands Home Search are independent buying consultants specialising in finding and acquiring prime country houses & estates, farm & equestrian property and waterside homes for retained private & corporate clients.

For further information about our service use the menu at the top of this page.

About The Isle of Wight
(For a list of all the prime country estate properties sold in Hampshire & The Isle of Wight recently, scroll down to the bottom of this page)

The Isle of Wight is home to some of the most diverse countryside in the UK, and what better way to unwind than to get out into the fresh air and explore?

Whether you prefer a leisurely stroll or something more energetic, you can discover historic farms, pretty lanes, thatched villages, coastal trails and woodlands. It's easy to find your way around, with over 500 miles of carefully maintained footpaths and signposts to follow. Walking, cycling and bird watching are popular all year round and every May the Island hosts the UK's largest walking festival.

Whatever you choose to do - whether it's following a pub walk, hiring bikes, or wandering along secluded coves - your time on the Isle of Wight is something the whole family will enjoy.

No motorways, cities or pollution...just nature, simple and unspoilt. One of Britain's natural wonders, it's an escape for the senses.

With over half the Island designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the natural world flourishes. There's an abundance of flora and fauna. Endangered and rare, you can seek out red squirrels, dormice, water voles, kingfishers, Ventor's wall lizards, and unique to the Island, the Glanville Fritillary butterfly.

It's an island of contrasts. Rolling downs and broad estuaries in the north give way to the south's sea-beaten cliffs. World-famous natural landmarks like the Needles sit alongside thatched cottages in forgotten inland villages. And when autumn sees many visitors depart leaving deserted beaches, so flocks of migrating birds return creating a birdwatchers' paradise.

You can walk, cycle and ride without seeing a car for hours. Our Coastal Path is 67 miles long, whilst our eight inland trails - a network of well-groomed, safe footpaths and bridleways - total 500 miles. And to help keep the Island a nature reserve you can enjoy a car-free holiday. We've superb bus and ferry links, and our Baggage Transfer service will move your luggage to and from ferry ports and follow you as you explore the Island.

Only minutes away from the mainland and so easy to reach - yet the Isle of Wight is a world apart. This diamond-shaped island has a magic all of its own - and is one of the UK's sunniest and warmest places. Measuring 23 miles by 13 miles, the Island lies just off England's South Coast. But no passport is needed for the short sea crossing - and once you've landed on the Island everything is within easy reach.

Boasting award-winning beaches, unspoilt and spectacular scenery and a rich historical heritage, there are attractions, activities and adventures to suit visitors of all ages and nationalities. Discover picturesque villages, spectacular cliffs, downland, sandy beaches, rich farmlands, creeks, marshland, river valleys, and a rich diversity of wildlife, flora and fauna.

More than half the Island is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with 500 miles of award-winning public footpaths and bridleways, while almost 30 miles of its seashore is Heritage Coast.

With such a mild climate and a unique geography organic farming is booming. Farmers' markets, pubs, farms and B&Bs all offer superb local wine, real ales and ciders, honey and garlic. All this, without mention of the seafood!

Outdoor music events and theatre are a regular feature during the summer months; from Westlife at Osborne House to Shakespearean productions in the historic settings of Carisbrooke Castle or Appuldurcombe House.

Ryde Arts Festival in July in an opportunity for award-winning artists to express themselves in the Island's natural surroundings, from art on the esplanade to poetry on the pier. Indeed, the Island is a veritable hotbed of talent and both local band The Bees and Oscar-winning film director Anthony Minghella are justifiably proud of their Island roots.

Major towns

Cowes, Ryde, Newport, Bembridge, Yarmouth, Sandown, Shanklin & Freshwater areas of The Isle of Wight.

Transport links

With up to 350 ferry crossings a day, it's simple to get to the Isle of Wight, and once you are there, it's even easier to get around.

Only 2 hours from London, ferry routes connect directly with road, rail and coach links to whisk you off to your Island destination. Enjoy a leisurely crossing by car ferry or catch a high-speed passenger ferry for a swift arrival. If you are not bringing a car with you, once ashore you can take advantage of the Island's comprehensive network of buses, which are especially geared towards visitors.

Public schools - Hampshie

Bedales School, Petersfield (01730 300100). Co-educational, age range 3-18, day and boarding. Associated preparatory school. www.bedales.org.uk

King Edward VI School, Southampton (01703 704561). Co-educational, age range 11-18, day. www.kes.hants.sch.uk

The Pilgrims' School, Winchester (01962 854189). Boys only, age range 7-13, day and boarding. www.pilgrims-school.co.uk

Portsmouth High School (01705 826714). Girls only, age range 4-18, day. www.pdst.net/portsmouthhigh

St Swithun's School, Winchester (01962 861316). Girls only, age range 8-18 (boys and girls, 3-8), day and boarding. www.stswithuns.com

St Mary's College, Southampton (01703 671267). Co- educational, age range 11-18, day. www.stmaryscollege.co.uk

The Portsmouth Grammar School (01705 819125). Co-educational, age range 4-18, day. www.pgs.co.uk

Winchester College (01962 854328). Boys only, age range 13-18, day and boarding. www.winchestercollege.org

Leisure

There's 165 miles of safe bridleways for hacking. There's over 500 miles of well-kept footpaths for rambling. And you've loads of off-road mountain biking routes, all mapped out and waiting to be discovered.

Golf Courses & Clubs

Osborne Golf Club
Location: Cowes
Telephone +44 (0) 1983 295421
Email info@osbornegolfclub.wanadoo.co.uk

Peter Hammond - Sandown & Shanklin Golf Club
Location: Sandown
Telephone +44 (0) 1983 404424/403217

Sandham Grounds
Location: Sandown
Telephone +44 01983 402747
Email leisure@iow.gov.uk

Shanklin Esplanade Golf
Location: Shanklin
Telephone +44 01983 863744
Email leisure@iow.gov.uk

Newport Golf Club
Location: Newport
Telephone +44 (0) 1983 525076

Ryde Golf Club
Location: Ryde
Telephone +44 (0) 1983 614809
Email ryde.golfclub@btinternet.com

Shanklin & Sandown Golf Club
Location: Sandown
Telephone +44 (0) 1983 403217

Location: Ventnor
Telephone +44 (0) 1983 853326
Email secretary@ventnorgolfclub.co.uk Browns Golf

Location: Sandown
Telephone +44 01983 402447
Email leisure@iow.gov.uk

Freshwater Bay Golf Club
Location: West Wight
Telephone +44 (0) 1983 752955
Email tr.fbgc@btopenworld.com

Cowes Golf Club
Location: Cowes
Telephone +44 (0) 1983 280135/292303

Westridge Golf Centre
Location: Ryde
Telephone +44 (0) 1983 613131
Email westgc@aol.com

Northwood Park
Location: Cowes
Telephone +44 01983 280525
Email leisure@iow.gov.uk


THE BEST HAMPSHIRE COUNTRY HOUSES FOR SALE IN 2004
(A breakdown of what was for sale & purchase prices)

Deane House, Basingstoke (classic Georgian): £6.5m

Moundsmere, Preston Candover (14 bedroom house, 83 acres): £6m

South Hall House, Preston Candover (classic Georgian house): £5m

Morestead Manor, Twyford (Grade 11* stabling, 51.5 acres): £2.8m

Peake Farm, Warnford, Winchester (690 acre estate, 5 houses): £4.815m

Cawley Manor, Kimpton (neo-Georgian house): £2.9m

Dawn House, Winchester (Grade II 6 bedroom house): £2m

Hall Farm, Bentworth, Alton (6 bedroom house, 4.8 acres): £2.5m

Fairfields, Godshill, Isle of Wight (Grade II, 17.5 acres): £2.5m

Source: Country Life

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on 01425 462 549.