Property

Deanwoods are proud to bring to the market, one of the North of the islands most attractive properties. Woodlands is a tremendous, non-registered, 19th century gentleman’s residence of fine proportions, with period charm throughout. Originally known as Woodlands Lodge on the 1868 Ordinance Survey Map and mentioned in Leech’s guide, this property is a really a tale of two halves. The accommodation is split into two distinct styles internally, the main house, retains a classic country house ambiance expected of such a property, with high ceilings, large rooms, wood panelled walls, ornate decoration and sash windows; are all elements beloved of the era of its construction. Encompassed within the main house, is the oldest portion of the property, woodlands cottage, which in the past was successfully used for holiday accommodation. It has been extensively modernised internally, over recent years, making it ideal for multi-generational living; being easily separated. The main house is of gothic revival style, with ornate carved facias and pinnacle ridge crests, an attractive & light symmetrical entrance porch with delightful arch windows & a magnificent wisteria. Additionally, evidence at first glance is the large sash windows, walking round the property you also notice the attractive stained-glass windows. It is very difficult without prior notice to realise that the left section, next to the Entrance porch was extended in 2005. It provides a ground floor study drawing room and additional first floor bedroom; which makes a real difference to the property.

Woodlands cottage, the original element of the property, has been adapted over time, into more a Georgian style of vernacular, with castellated parapets and a more uniform style, with comparatively more modest dentillation to the entablature. Woodlands itself is excellently situated in the picturesque Churchtown area, nestled between Ramsey and Sulby. It sits off the well regarded Lezaryre Road, in an attractive beautifully positioned location, surrounded by a wooded valley and by other large Victorian properties, such as Ballakillingan House with its charming parkland setting. From the house over the immaculate formal and potager gardens are a range of hills, including Sky Hill; below which consists rich farmland scenery. Woodlands is superbly located to make the most of a wide range of facilities and services locally, including the seaside town of Ramsey, as well as sought after villages of Sulby and Kirk Michael. Accommodation wise, it is evident throughout that the property floods with natural light, via numerous large sash windows and range different of rooflights; one particularly of note is the large rooflight in the billiards room, and particularly the enormous oval rooflight over the main stairwell, making for a wonderful atmosphere. Upon entering the entrance porch, with original flagstone flooring, arched windows on three sides and rooflights, you move through an impressive Victorian oak, glass panel surrounded entrance door, to the main entrance hall. This immediately provides you with a sense of how well appointed the accommodation is, there is a sense grander which it is genuinely Victorian. Solid oak flooring and panel walls, high ceilings, picture rails, original coving/detailing and Chandeliers. To the left is, as mentioned the modern extension in the same style. At present this reception room is used as a spacious study, but has a multitude of potential uses. To the right of the hall is the splendid sitting room, complete with original herringbone parquet flooring which is much sought after, a coal fireplace with gothic revival wood surround, In addition to floor to ceiling sash windows. Straight ahead at the end of the hallway, is the splendid dining room of grand proportions, with an external door to the side gravel area, surrounding the house, which overlooks a levelled side lawn, which would be ideal for croquet. Naturally, this space is excellent for entertaining and for the family. Also of interest, situated to the right of the ornate polished granite fireplace is as triple aspect seating area, with stained glass windows, also with a view over the garden. There is a real focus on the gardens in this property. In an open plan fashion off the dining room is the well appointed country house kitchen, and rear porch, again to the garden. The kitchen also accesses the pantry, wine store, and integral workshop space with WC. Furthermore, there is a spacious utility room with built in Victorian kitchen dresser and units. Returning to the main hallway through the dining room and taking a left turn you are immediately, drawn to the fine sweeping oak staircase and bright oval roof light inviting you upstairs; both making for highly desirable features. Prior to ascending up said stairs, firstly you head left along the hallway, to a further WC with range of built-in laundry/airing cupboards and plumbing for white washing machine and drier. Then press on into the ‘cottage’ part of the property. This self-contained living accommodation consists of its own fully appointed contemporary kitchen, a spacious dining/sitting room with coal fireplace, door to the gravelled yard area to the brick and stone outbuilding. The ground floor also consists a WC and storage cupboard. On the first floor also part of the ‘cottage’ are bedrooms 4 and 5, these fresh, modern rooms contain two useful double bedrooms, with ample light and dual aspect views over the surrounding gardens. There is also a stylish bathroom with heritage style suit. Upon reappearing in the hall of the main house, the aforementioned main stairwell beckons, with its feature grand octagonal and oval surround rooflight, panels walls; is an particularly striking feature. Up which is a majestic landing, which links to all the main house’s rooms. Uniquely, the property has an extremely interesting billiards room, where you can almost step back in time to a different age, it is of real charm, a time gone by, where you can imagine Victorian gentlemen retiring to play billiards and read the extensive book collection; anyone looking to have their own library in their house need look no further. The room its self is clad with wall and ceiling wood panelling, and hand has feature stained glassed Victorian windows. There is also a large rooflight. The remainder of the first floor, in the main house consists of a feature master bedroom, with magnificent views over to sky hill, an large ensuite, high ceilings and original coal fireplace. There is a further large and contemporary ensuite to bedroom 2 bedroom in the modern section of the property; which totals 18 ft in length. The final bedroom in the main house is bedroom 3 complete with stained glass triple aspect snug seating extension, over the dining room, making the most of the views over the immaculately kept gardens. Much improved over time, this family home has clearly been much loved and offers flexible living accommodation. There is much scope for further alterations, improvements, and re-configurations for the eventual new custodian. Notwithstaning this, Woodlands could easily be lived in as is.

Garden & Grounds
One of the main features of the property is its established gardens circa 1.2 acres In a sheltered situation, which makes the most of the sun, the gardens combine with the property, to bring about a really very special setting; it creates the most wonderful house in which to live. Wrapped around two sides of the house are delightful formal and potager gardens, incorporating beautifully maintained lawns, vegetable beds, fruit trees and bushes; which offer ample space for family and guests to enjoy and are a true gardeners delight. In addition, there are numerous seating areas, such as the open patio terrace off the outbuilding .
During spring and summer the garden comes alive fringed with colourful borders, richly planted with a variety of flowering shrubs, roses and herbaceous perennials. Scattered throughout the garden are a mix of mature specimen trees and fruit trees. In addition, there is a modern, well-designed, brick-built greenhouse, a summer house, a brick built slate roofed tool shed circa 17ft x 8ft, brick cold frames for protecting less hardy plant and bringing them on earlier. A sweeping gravelled drive leads from the road to the house, through the front garden past the garage, to a front turning area in front of the entrance to the property. A further, brick paved area between the outhousing and the house, combines with the turning area, to offer parking for numerous vehicles. As alluded too, off from the house, is a modern pitched roof, double garage. This was constructed in 2013 and spans some 25’2” x 21’8” and comes complete with electric doors. Also mentioned, a further natural Stone and brick outbuilding, which divides the garden from the house. Constructed in 2004, these outbuildings have an attractive rear terrace, that overlooks the rest of the garden in the foreground and is situated adjacent to one of the landscaped lawns; making this space an ideal BBQ/alfresco dining area for entertaining and for the family.

Directions 

Take the Lezayre Road from Parliament Square, keep on this road. The property is past Churchtown and Sillymoo’s Campsite on the right hand side (if heading to Sulby) denoted by our Deanwoods sign.