15 reasons...
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Accommodates a family, but ideal for couples
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Three spacious bedrooms; sleeps six comfortably
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Close to award-winning beaches & activities for kids of all ages
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Close to great restaurants, bars & cafes
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Pushchair friendly access to beach and town
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A kitchen you'll want to hang out in
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Free utilities including Wi-Fi, dishwasher, washer & dryer
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Excellent transport links to and around the Island
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Cosy sitting room with real fire and deep leather sofas
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Close to quality supermarkets and chemist
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High chair, stairgates & travel cot available on request
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Friendly, small-town location
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Close to great walks
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Charming, character property
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Gorgeous terrace for sunshine wine with patio lights & blankets
'Sea Proche'
Situated in a peaceful corner of Sandown on the Isle of Wight, Sea Proche is just a minutes walk from golden, sandy beaches, and moments from essential High Street shops, as well as a playground; skate park; mini golf course; pubs and restaurants.
While hot summer days invite swimming with the children and afternoons sunbathing as they build castles in the sand, spring invites a different kind of magic. Though warmer days are ahead, the cool days of spring bring white capped waves and temperatures perfect for long family dog walks along miles of deserted beaches, or up onto the white chalk Downs; or bike rides exploring bluebell woods, trails and primrose bejewelled coastal paths; or for simply just wrapping up and watching the waves crash on the sea shore in a quiet seaside bistro, favourite novel in hand. And as the spring light fades, meander back to Sea Proche, to nestle under blankets by the fire, sipping hot chocolates, as a hearty casserole plips and burbles on the stove...
Inside
A beautiful seaside property, full of period charm and modern luxuries, designed with family holidays in mind, but perfect for a romantic getaway. Sea Proche has room for everyone to unwind in their own space, or to spend time together.
Cosy-up, on deep leather sofas, by the open fire...
Breakfast together in the traditional free-standing kitchen with its gorgeous ultra-modern range...
Or retreat to the sumptious linen of your bed in the cozy and peaceful bedrooms...
Outside
The enclosed back terrace provides a small private space with several spots for sitting with a morning coffee before the weather turns too chilly, or to enjoy a glass of 'pink sunshine wine' in the late afternoon light. After a day exploring the Bay and as evening falls, blankets and throws keep off the worst of the cold, and garland lights warmly glow to extend the day.
Alternatively, the front garden captures the last of the day's sunshine; a warm spot to sit with a glass of something warming, as you watch the world go by.
Why Stella loves Sea Proche...
''Glorious golden beaches; romantic strolls across rolling downland; a cosy period property, and a ferry ride...what's not to love!''
Sea Proche was built in the 1890s, at the height of the Victorian's love of the English seaside, and I fell for its bright, airy interior the moment I set foot in it...I love its architecture, its typically period floorplan and the character features in each room.
In designing the decor, the intention has been to create a calm, harmonious 'Scandi seaside' feeling. I've been sympathetic to its past (in 1901 it was run as 'Apartments' by three sisters from London!) and kept many of the period features, but I've also recognised that modern family life is not Victorian family life and so I've added numerous 'mod con's' to make it a comfortable place to stay, though I think they integrate well.
I've also tried to be consistent with my Stella Says ethos of 'Natural, Ethical, Beautiful', and many items of furniture are beautifully restored antique finds.
I love Sea Proche's location - from the bustling center of London to the relative peace of the little town of Sandown takes me just over 2 and three quarter hours door to door, even with the ferry: I can leave work at 4 on a Friday, jump on the 4:30 train from Waterloo and I'm in the house in time for gin and tonics at 7:45!
As my husband says, 'The Isle of Wight - all the charm of Devon, in the time it takes to get through the traffic at Salisbury...' (It needs work as a marketing slogan, but it's an accurate estimate of the time it takes to get here!).
I really hope you love Sea Proche as much as I do - it really is Stella, by the sea!
Love, Stella x
Sea Proche at a glance...
Sleeps
6 guests, in three bedrooms, in 4 beds...
From £750 per week, or £275 per short stay.
Arrivals & Departures
Arrival and Deparature day: Friday,Saturday,Sunday
Check in: From 4pm
Check out: By 10am
Bedrooms
Sea Proche has one twin, one double, and one king bedroom. Additionally, there is a comfortable sofa bed for emergency stay overs.
Bathroom
Sea Proche has one beautiful bathroom with a bath and an overhead shower.
There is a separate loo and, outside, a hose and footwash for wellies, sandy dogs (and kids!).
Vehicles
There is 'first come' on-street parking outside the house, but we recommend an Island wide parking permit - which gives you free parking in most public carparks.
Additional Information
Pets
Regretfully, Sea Proche does not take pets.
Families
A travel cot, stair gate and a high chair are available, but if you need something in particular please let us know at the time of your booking and we'll try to accomodate. Sxx.
Location
'Sea Proche' is situated in the heart of Sandown, on the quintessentially Victorian 'Albert Road', just a minutes walk from both Sandown beach and all of the town's local amenities, including an artisan cake shop; handmade sandwich bar; organic greengrocers and two high-street supermarkets.
The property is a 25-35 minute drive from the ferry terminals of East Cowes and Ryde and only a 15 minute walk from Sandown train station, with its direct links to London Waterloo, via the WightLink Ferry - town to town in 2hrs 48m.
What to do...
As the brighter weather begins to creep back, there's plenty to do at Sea Proche: it's still a time for logs on the fire, sourdough in the oven and something tasty keeping warm on the hotplate of the induction range (perfection!). But if you must go out, the Isle of Wight has literally hundreds of things to do to entertain yourself beyond the fantastic beaches and there's no excuse for boredom, even if the English summer sun has left for the year - https://www.visitisleofwight.co.uk/ has loads of ideas, but here are some of our local favourites (not all of which are all year round unfortunately.)...
To do
Yaverland Beach
Beyond the beautiful golden sand of Sandown's award winnng beaches lies the relative peace of Yaverland beach. Its wild feel is a great contrast to the more populous beaches of Sandown and Shanklin. Dog walking is permitted year round from just past Yaverland harbour and it even has taps to clean sand off small feet in the carpark
To visit
Sandown Pier
Just around the corner from Sea Proche, Sandown's Victorian pier is free to enter. Passing through the arcade takes you out onto the long wooden boardwalk with a unique crazy golf course -and all the way to the old steamer landing platform, now a famous spot for fishing. We love the view of the Bay from the end of the pier, and the 'Penny Falls' machines are always a great way to spend time with the kids after dinner.
To visit
Blackgang Chine
No family holiday on the island would be complete without a trip to the oldest theme park in England, and it's even great fun if the weather's a bit, well, English. The recently added animatronic dinosaur attraction is very well done - and the T-Rex suitably thrilling for younger children. Kids (and some adults!) will spend hours in Cowboy Town living out their frontier dreams...
To drink
Driftwood Bar
A short walk towards the edge of town and perched just above the beach, Driftwood is a laidback bar in the style of a surf shack and it's an Instagramable delight to boot. Friendly staff, great beers, bar snacks, breakfasts, coffee - and benches on the beach...
To walk
Culver Down
The walk from Sea Proche up Culver Down is just long enough to feel like an accomplishment, but short enough to get you back in time for lunch. Gorgeous English downland with a backdrop of the Solent; a 19th Century fort and the always popular Culver Haven Inn await. Give yourself at least 3 hours for the round trip, including a rejuvenating pint. Suitable for energetic children (or dogs), but a bit of a mission with a pushchair.
To eat
The Beach Shack
On the 'revetmente' at the farthest extreme of Sandown, towards Lake and Shanklin, this Mediterranean inspired cafe/bar is the place to go to try something a little more creative than the usual fare of fish and chips (as lovely though that most certainly is). Beach boxes with fresh sardines, mackerel, prawns and smoked salmon as well as a good vegetarian selection are an example of what's on offer, along with great coffee and San Miguel on tap - and their Sky Bar is a great place to hang out as the sun passes the yard arm on Summer evenings!
Wondering where people are going up and down the paved path behind the street art covered shack? Follow the winding road up the hill to the coastal path to Shanklin for beautiful views across the Bay and enjoy a spot of antique hunting and stop for afternoon tea at Pencil Cottage in the Old Village and maybe even wander through the lush flora and fauna of the Shanklin Chine nature reserve.
To eat
The Reef
Two minutes walk from Sea Proche and overlooking the sea, The Reef is a casual, welcoming bar/restaurant. It's perfect for long lunches on the terrace as it gets the sun until late, and in the evenings, their Diavolo pizza is a thing of legend (as are their Espresso Martini's...)!