The Norris Castle and Springhill estates in East Cowes have been put up for sale for a combined guide price of £4.5million, following years of stalled redevelopment plans and urgent council enforcement over the site’s deterioration.
Marketed by Savills, the 225-acre Norris Castle Estate features the Grade I listed castle itself, a castellated walled garden, residential cottages, farm buildings and stables, all overlooking the Solent. Included in the sale are the adjacent 43-acre Springhill Estate and a 50-metre stretch of Grade II listed raised seawall.
The 2 estates are being offered together, with Norris Castle Estate individually priced at £3million.
Built between 1799 and 1804 by renowned architect James Wyatt for Lord Henry Seymour, Norris Castle is one of the Isle of Wight’s most historically significant properties. The surrounding parkland is the Island’s only Grade I listed landscape, believed to have been designed by Humphrey Repton. The estate lies next to Osborne House and was frequently visited by Queen Victoria in her youth.
Despite its pedigree, the estate has suffered extensive decline. A planning application to transform Norris Castle into a luxury hotel and wellness resort was refused in April 2024 by the Isle of Wight Council, citing traffic, public access limitations and the risk of turning the site into a ‘millionaires’ playground’.
East Cowes Town Council had strongly objected to the proposals, criticising the lack of genuine public benefit and reliance on Esplanade access. Councillors raised concerns about a rise in exclusive holiday homes and warned that the development would alienate local residents.
The Council issued Urgent Works Notices in both June 2023 and October 2024, demanding repairs within 28 days due to severe water damage, dry rot and structural decay across the site. Failure to comply would allow the Council to step in and recover costs from the owners.
Jonny Kiddle, Head of Savills South Coast Development, has said:
“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 sale marks a new chapter in the long-running effort to secure a viable future for the estate, after years of stalled development, regulatory intervention and public concern. It remains to be seen whether a new owner will seek to revive past plans or propose a different vision altogether.
Far better to let it fall into disrepair than have it become a millionaires playground where people come and create employment and spend lots of money….
Absolutely! Somebody wanted to spend pots of money restoring it and making it useful again. Of course it was going to change; who can afford to live in a castle these days? It would have made a wonderful, world class luxury hotel. Who the hell will want it now? I despair….