Farriers Way, Shorwell

Welcome to Stone Place Cottage

Stone Place Cottage is an enchanting Grade II listed home whose eighteenth-century origins remain evident throughout. Built in traditional stone beneath a tiled roof, this detached cottage has an authenticity that is difficult to recreate, with exposed timbers, plank doors, stripped floorboards and tactile tiled floors contributing to its relaxed farmhouse character. The accommodation unfolds naturally across two floors, with a generous sitting room centred around a woodburning stove, a separate dining room, a garden-facing kitchen and bathroom on the ground floor, while two comfortable double bedrooms occupy the first floor. What truly sets the cottage apart, however, is its setting. Mature grounds wrap around the house, creating an unusual degree of privacy and also include a substantial garden building which adds valuable versatility, while additional land offers further possibilities for a future owner, subject to any necessary consents.

Stone Place Cottage occupies a rural position on Farriers Way in Shorwell, one of the Island’s prettiest traditional villages and surrounded by the rolling landscape of the south-west Wight. Everyday village life is pleasingly close at hand, with a popular country pub, recreation ground and local amenities within walking distance, while historic Northcourt House and Wolverton Manor contribute to the distinctive character of the area and host seasonal events. Shorwell sits within a National Landscape, placing an extensive network of footpaths, bridleways and cycling routes on the doorstep, with routes climbing towards the chalk downs and continuing towards the Island’s dramatic southern coastline, with spectacular beaches at Brighstone Bay and Atherfield Bay approximately two miles away. Nearby Brighstone provides further village facilities, while Newport, under five miles away, offers a broader range of shops, restaurants, leisure facilities and services. Southern Vectis route 12 connects Shorwell with Newport, Freshwater, Totland and neighbouring villages, making this an appealing base for both permanent Island life and a country retreat.

The Approach

Stone Place Cottage sits almost hidden behind mature hedging and established planting, giving the house an immediately private and timeless quality. Its stone elevations, tiled roof, end chimney stack and traditional entrance create a particularly attractive first impression, with the weathered plank door framed by a characteristic stone surround and greenery softening the façade.

On the Ground Floor

The original entrance opens directly into a generous sitting room, where exposed ceiling beams, warm tiled flooring and a substantial brick fireplace establish the cottage’s character from the outset. A woodburning stove sits within the hearth, creating a natural focal point, and an open staircase rises to the first floor. The room is broad enough to accommodate several seating areas without losing its intimate feel.

Adjoining the sitting room is a separate dining room of similarly good proportions. Its simple farmhouse aesthetic, tiled floor and traditional timber doors give it considerable versatility; as well as formal dining, it could comfortably serve as a second reception room, library, study or occasional guest space.

Beyond, the long galley-style kitchen has a refreshingly unfussy country feel, with timber-fronted cabinetry, open shelving, generous work surfaces and a wide window overlooking the garden. Its linear arrangement provides plenty of usable preparation space, while an external door leads directly outside, making the room particularly practical for garden living. A ground-floor bathroom sits alongside, fitted with a bath and shower arrangement and enhanced by decorative glazing.

On the First Floor

The first floor is devoted to two well-proportioned double bedrooms, both retaining the relaxed simplicity that suits the age of the cottage. Stripped timber floorboards, traditional plank doors and softly shaped ceiling lines reinforce the sense of history, while each room offers space for substantial bedroom furniture.

Bedroom One is particularly generous and feels calm and airy, with a broad window drawing in natural light. Bedroom Two is similarly spacious and flexible, comfortably accommodating twin beds at present while offering ample room for use as another double, guest bedroom or a combined bedroom and work space. The restrained finishes upstairs allow the original fabric of the cottage to remain the defining feature.