Norris Castle

Purchased by Edward Wellington in late 2015, the Norris Castle Estate (East Cowes, Isle of Wight), with its Grade I listed castle, Grade I model farm and its eight Grade II listed buildings, is set in the 225 acres of a Grade I registered park and garden. The Estate's landscaped parkland consists of the Castle's pleasure grounds, ancient forests and former grazing fields, not to mention the Estate's 1.5 miles of coastline. Regularly visited by Queen Victoria during her youth and situated next door to her palatial home Osborne House, the plan for the conservation of the Norris Castle Estate is as exciting as it is ambitious.

The Estate is to become a unique – even the national market - heritage and natural environment-led leisure destination: a Resort. At its heart are the Castle and the model farm. The Castle is restored and converted as the core of a luxury hotel; adjoining it are two linked buildings of exceptional architectural sensitivity to contain further suites and the hotel's modern facilities. The model farm is restored and converted to a top-end spa and wellness centre, supported by spa residences in conversions of the original farm buildings and a restored-to-production walled garden. Other development, in further conversions and new buildings across the Estate includes clusters of different types and sizes of architecturally distinctive resort residences, a club room in a conversion of the former Pump House and a new restaurant in the unique setting of the former Bathing House, now a ruin.

Not only is the Resort the only viable means of securing the long term future of every part of the heritage of the exceptionally important Norris Castle Estate, but it will create a large number of skilled, largely full time, year round jobs and career opportunities in a wide range of sectors, increase revenue island-wide and bring in the elusive five star tourism market, which the island has been unable to capture to date due to the lack of premium hotel provision.

Current update

• Pilcot construction Ltd, known for the restoration of Totland Pier IOW has removed asbestos from the castle basement and has carried out the urgent repairs needed to the principal buildings until the grant of the planning permission makes their permanent repair possible.
• A further 37 acres of adjacent land is proposed for just enough housing development to make the conservation of the Norris Castle Estate a feasible development proposition.
• The planning application has now been submitted and was registered early in March 2022.