An idyllic and unique venue
films • weddings • corporate events • private parties • equestrian competitions • classic car & boat storage
Despite being an island, finding an Isle of Wight venue with 154 meters of unobstructed panoramic views across The Solent with a West and South facing position, peering directly into spectacular summer sunsets across the water, is extremely rare. It is even more unique to find a coastal venue on the Isle of Wight with both breath-taking panoramic views to Hampshire and Dorset as well as elegantly sumptuous and beautifully designed interiors to a very high standard within a substantial period home and grounds - Holmes House features both.
A Historic Home
Constructed in 1898, Holmes House is steeped in history, having been built for a notable Naval Officer, and offers extensive accommodation over three floors. The house was built by W H Paul of Totland for the Heytesbury Estate in the West Wight. It was a private home, then a hotel, and in between, was commandeered to become an officer's barracks in World War II, strategically overlooking the anti-U-boat chains across the Solent's narrowest point between Hurst Castle and Fort Albert.
In the late 1990s, Holmes House was converted back from a hotel to a private residence, and has hosted numerous society weddings, films/adverts, private lawn parties and concerts.
Weddings
Accommodating up to 50 for indoor events and up to 500 guests in the grounds, Holmes House is suitable for the most intimate to the most lavish of weddings.
The facilities and substantial grounds of Holmes House make it possible to achieve almost anything for your dream day - from helicopter arrivals to private yacht departures into the sunset, a grand entrance down a Victorian staircase, multiple entertainment rooms, a bar room and well-equipped kitchen that provides everything that's needed for chefs and large-scale catering.
The photo opportunities are endless and there are numerous en-suite bedrooms to accommodate your guests when the day and night are over.
Events
Holmes House is a very private and secluded compound, made for the highlife and experiential living and entertaining.
Our venue is just as appealing for special and corporate events on beautiful summer days as it is on dark, rainy weather days with exquisite sea colours changing with the weather and every room having a warm and cosy vantage point to observe and/or be snug by a roaring fire.
Facilities extend beyond that of the house - Holmes House offers high-quality facilities for the equine enthusiast and has played host to a number of equine competitions, namely dressage and showjumping competitions as well.
Location
Holmes House overlooks one of the most vibrant and interesting stretches of sea in the country. It peers out over to English Heritage’s Hurst Castle and its active lighthouse, and across the bay to Fort Albert. Hurst Castle and its lighthouse are just ¾ of a mile away at the narrowest point across the Solent, and the New Forest coastline is approximately 3 miles to the north.
The house proudly overlooks the often turquoise sandy and partly rocky, clear waters of the spectacular and picturesque Colwell Bay - an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) - with direct access to the beach.
Holmes House on Colwell Bay, and indeed the West Wight, is a dream come true for sailing, windsurfing and kitesurfing, water skiing, paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing, equestrian, cycling, walking and dog walking enthusiasts.
Short blurb here.