Lorne HouseCastletown

A landmark residence of elegance and stature

‘A very elegant mansion’: James Brotherston Laughton, Johnson’s Guide, 1850

One of the most important houses in the Isle of Man, Lorne House has played a central role in the history of the Manx nation and its fortunes have long been entwined with those of Castletown.

This landmark house, which dates from 1826, was formerly the offi cial residence of the Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man when Castletown served as the Island’s seat of government.

A magnifi cent late Georgian house with distinctive Regency architectural fl ourishes, Lorne House, rich in original features and designed for entertaining on an ambassadorial scale, has been faithfully restored to its former splendour by the present owner who has also created a sensitively designed two-storey wing out of the former domestic offi ces to provide more intimate three-bedroom family accommodation which, while independent, may also be incorporated into the main residence.

With grandly proportioned formal reception rooms and bedrooms and a lower ground fl oor complete with offi ce and communications centre Lorne House, which now extends to some 16,000 sq ft, could not only serve as a sumptuous private home with generous staff accommodation but also provide opportunities for housing business and conference centre operations.

Principal residence features:

• Six reception rooms

• 27’3 reception hall.

• Four bedrooms;

• Four bathrooms;

• Offi ce and communications suite;

• Four cloakrooms;

• Extensive lower ground fl oor ancillary storage rooms and utility area;

• A wealth of original features including pitch pine fl oors, restored sash windows, decorative cornices and cast iron verandah;

• High ceilings to all principal accommodation.

Owner’s wing:

• Three bedrooms;

• Two bathrooms;

• Galleried entrance hall;

• Sitting room;

• Kitchen/breakfast room;

• Utility room.

Additionally:

• Garaging for four cars;

• Six and a half acres of grounds with kitchen and herb gardens;

• Oil fi red central heating;

• Cat 5 cabling;

• Phase 3 electrics.

Set in six and a half acres and surrounded by imposing walls of Castletown stone featuring a castellated arch and lookout, Lorne House enjoys commanding views over Castletown harbour and Castle Rushen and is approached via a sweeping tree-lined drive.

The accommodation, with approximate room dimensions, comprises.

Entrance porch with fl uted portico:

Panelled entrance foyer: 12’2 x 11’9 (3.7 x 3.5m)Door to:

Double aspect reception room/study: 17’2 x 12’10 (5.2 x 3.9m)Carved fi replace surround with tiled hearth. Walk-in coat/store cupboard.

Principal reception hall: 27’3 x 26’4 (8.3 x 8m)Enfi lade of decorative columns, intricate cornice work and sweeping divided staircase. Lobby with stairs to lower ground fl oor. Secondary lobby with pedestal wash basin. Access to independent three-bedroomed wing.

Double aspect dining room: 24’7 x 17’2 (7.5 x 5.2m)Views across the gardens.

Boardroom: 24’8 x 20’1 (7.5 x 6.1m)Bow window. Views across the gardens.

The Long Room: 40’ x 24’1 (12.1 x 7.3m)A magnifi cent double aspect room with French doors leading to the gardens, carved marble mantelpiece, surround and hearth with cast iron fi replace and fender seats. Lobby leading to:

Twin cloakrooms, each with pedestal wash basin and w.c.

Rear hall: 23’1 x 12’ (7 x 3.6m)Door to garden, coat cupboard, stairs to lower ground

fl oor. Double doors to:

Sitting room: 19’9 x 14’7 (6 x 4.4m)Carved mantelpiece with marble inserts and hearth. Double doors to:

Breakfast room: 19’4 x 15’7 (5.9 x 4.7m)Recessed triple built-in cabinets, bookshelving, door to courtyard and garden. Door to independent two-

storey wing.

Main residence – fi rst fl oor

Galleried landing: 25’8 x 13’1 (7.8 x 4m)Decorative fl uted columns. Twin lobbies, each with cloakrooms comprising pedestal wash basin and w.c. Additionally one lobby houses cupboard with twin un-vented hot water systems, the other stairs to the loft.

Drawing room (Castle Rushen Room): 24’6 x 21’ (7.5 x 6.4m)Three-light bay window, carved marble mantelpiece and surround, cast iron dog grate. Views towards Castle Rushen.

Double aspect bedroom: 19’1 x 17’1 (5.8 x 5.2m)

En-suite bathroom: 12’5 x 9’ (3.7 x 2.7m)Victoria and Albert bath, walk-in glass-screened shower with ‘rain’ shower and hand spray, surface-mounted wash basin, w.c., towel warmer/radiator.

Bathroom: 12’7 x 12’4 (3.8 x 3.7m)Victoria and Albert bath, walk-in glass-screened shower with ‘rain’ shower and hand spray, surface-mounted wash basin, w.c., towel

warmer/radiator.

Double aspect bedroom: 17’11 x 14’5 (5.4 x 4.4m)Decorative cast iron fi replace.

Double aspect bedroom: 18’5 x 16’11 (5.6 x 4.9m)

En-suite bathroom: 14’4 x 11’7 (4.3 x 3.5m)Victoria and Albert bath, walk-in glass-screened shower with ‘rain’ shower and hand spray, surface-mounted wash basin, w.c., towel warmer/radiator.

Bedroom: 17’1 x 16’3 (5.2 x 4.9m)

En-suite bathroom: 12’10 x 10’2 (3.9 x 3.1m)Victoria and Albert bath, walk-in glass-screened shower with ‘rain’ shower and hand spray, surface-mounted wash basin, w.c., towel warmer/radiator.

Lower ground fl oor:

Hallway leading to:Offi ce: 18’ x 17’7 (5.4 x 5.3m)

Door to:

Server room: 15’5 x 14’4 (4.7 x 4.3m)

Utility area: 11’9 x 11’3 (3.5 x 3.4m)Range of laminate-countered units on two walls incorporating stainless steel sink unit, matching wall cabinets, part tiled walls.

Inner hall:Twin fully tiled cloakrooms, each with pedestal wash basin and w.c.

Store room: 16’4 x 14’2 (4.9 x 4.3m)

Chubb strong room:

Room: 24’3 x 18’7 (7.4 x 5.6m)

Games room area: 16’11 x 10’ (5.1 x 3m)Store cupboard and:

Store room: 16’4 x 12’ (4.9 x 3.6m)Two further lower ground fl oor rooms:

Room: 11’7 x 11’7 (3.5 x 3.5m)

Room: 25’7 x 16’10 (7.7m x 5.1m)

Independent wing:Double doors from front elevation to:

Galleried entrance hall: 12’8 x 11’5 (3.8 x 3.5m)Oak staircase to fi rst fl oor.

Kitchen/breakfast room: 15’6 x 10’4 (4.7 x 3.1m)‘L’-shaped laminate-countered unit with cupboards and drawers under incorporating stainless steel sink unit and Insinkerator, range of wall cabinets, Rangemaster double-range oven with induction hob, stainless steel extractor hood, tiled splash back, wall cabinets with underlighting, French doors to courtyard and gardens.

Utility room: 11’1 x 7’1 (3.3 x 2.3m)Laminate-topped units with corner stainless steel sink unit, Miele washing machine and dryer, wall cabinets and tall storage units, twin built-in Zanussi fridge/freezers.

Sitting room: 27’1 x 12’1 (8.2 x 3.6m)Double patio doors to gardens.

First fl oor:

Double-height galleried landing: 23’4 x 14’11 (7.1 x 4.5m)Beamed ceiling.

Double aspect bedroom 1: 15’3 x 11’9 (4.6 x 3.5m)

Dressing room:En-suite bathroom:Victoria and Albert freestanding bath, twin towel warmers, tiled walk-in shower with ‘rain’ shower head plus hand spray, pedestal wash basin, w.c., tiled fl oor.

Bedroom 2: 15’1 x 10’8 (4.5 x 3.2m)

Bedroom 3: 14’10 x 14’1- (4.5 x 4.5m)

Dressing room:Roof access. Door to heated linen cupboard with Santon Premier Plus unvented hot water cylinder.

En-suite bathroom (also accessed from landing):Victoria and Albert freestanding bath, fully tiled wet room area with Aqualisa stop/start controls, twin towel warmers, pedestal wash basin, w.c., tiled fl oor.

Outside

Four-car garage block. Large greenhouse. Gardener’s w.c with wash basin.

Plant room housing twin Worcester oil-fi red boilers.

The grounds extend to some six and a half acres, predominantly laid to sweeping lawns with mature trees and shrubs, together with kitchen and herb gardens and a restored orchard, completed by fi elds bordering the driveway approach.

Services:

Mains drainage and water.Oil-fi red central heating.Tenure: Freehold.Rateable value: £1020Rates payable: £6,508.84Viewing: Strictly by appointment.

(Suggested reading: ‘Lorne House: A Manx Survivor’ by Patricia Tutt. Lily Publications)

These particulars, although believed to be correct, do not form part of an offer or a contract and they are not intended to form any representation of fact.

The Estate Agent cannot accept any liability for any errors in the particulars stated, and a prospective purchaser should rely upon his own enquiries and inspections.

CHRYSTALSCHRYSTALSESTATE AGENTS • VALUERS • SURVEYORS

For further details contact Chrystals Tel: (01624) 623778 Web: www.chrystals.co.im