Introduction
St John's House was built by Colonel William Amherst in 1769. Edward Simeon purchased the estate in 1796 and from 1797 onwards he remodelled the grounds and laid out a park. This was designed by Humphry Repton, the notable landscape gardener.
Location, Area, Boundaries, Landform and Setting
The whole estate stretched from Westridge Cross in the south, Monkton Mead Brook in the west to St Clare's in the east. The landscaped park was smaller and can be seen on a map of the area dated 1803. St John's entirely surrounded the much smaller park at Appley.
Entrances and Approaches
Repton's work included a formal entrance, an new approach to the house, two thatched lodge cottages illustrated in G.A. Cooke's 'New Picture of the West Wight' published in 1808. The turnpike road extended to the seashore where a pier and a 'marina' were constructed. The 'marina' was built for bathing and viewing the seascape.
Until the mid 19 century the estate remained fairly complete. Gradually the estate was sub divided with plots being sold for development.
Today the house and a small area of the original grounds form the Bishop Lovett Middle School.
- Visitor Access, Directions & Contacts
Telephone
01983 821000Website
http://iwight.com/homepage/Directions
From the Esplanade follow the A3055 south via East Hill Road. As the road turns eastward the access to St John's House is on the right just before a mini roundabout which marks the junction with the B3330.
Owners
Isle of Wight Council
County Hall, High Street, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 1UD
- History
Period
- 18th Century
- Late 18th Century
- Associated People
- Features & Designations
Style
Picturesque
Features
- Folly
- Walk
- Arch
- Water Feature
- Rockwork
- Drive
- Building
- Bath House
- Building
- School
- Description: the house and a small area of the original grounds form the Bishop Lovett Middle School.
- Cottage
- Description: two thatched lodge cottages
- Seashore
- Description: seashore where a pier and a 'marina' were constructed.
- Key Information
Type
Estate
Purpose
Ornamental
Principal Building
Education
Period
18th Century
Survival
Part: standing remains
Open to the public
Yes
Electoral Ward
St Johns East
- References
References
- Isle of Wight Gardens Trust {Walled Kitchen Gardens of the Isle of Wight} (Isle of Wight, 2014) Walled Kitchen Gardens of the Isle of Wight