A luxurious mansion built for a director of Rolls Royce is situated near a beautiful seaside town which is said to be one of Britain’s sunniest. Beach Manor near Bognor Regis, West Sussex, featured on the Channel 4 show Britain’s Most Expensive Houses, which put its value three years ago at £3.6million.
The Arts and Crafts, mock-Tudor mansion on the coast of West Sussex was built for Rolls Royce director W F Watson in the late 1920s. Grade II-listed under its previous name Aldwick Hundred, it covers more than 7,000 square ft, has five bedrooms, six bathrooms, an indoor pool and boasts a “spectacular” coastal setting, according to the programme-makers.
Sitting on the shoreline, Beach Manor sleeps up to 16 guests in the main house, with room for four more in another dwelling right next to the beach. Most of the bedrooms offer uninterrupted sea views.
Inside, the house is a celebration of classic Arts and Crafts design, with intricate wood panelling, leaded windows and parquet flooring.
There are a range of modern luxuries too though, with air-conditioned bedrooms, super-fast broadband, underfloor heating and a cinema room with 87-inch 4K Ultra HD screen.
Besides the indoor pool, there is a sauna, steam room and hot tub. Outside, there is a brick-built gazebo with a log burner and seating area overlooking the beach.
Prices start from £5,800 for three nights. It costs £290 per person, per night for 20 people sharing. Book via Big House Experience at bighouseexperience.com/large-houses-to-rent/beach-manor
The mansion is less than two miles from the centre of Bognor Regis, a six-minute drive away or about 40 minutes on foot along the beach.
Bognor Regis itself has four miles of promenade. The town’s main sandy stretch is East Beach, which is right near town. A mix of shingle and sand, it’s said to be a lively spot complete with seafront eateries.
A quieter alternative is Aldwick Beach, which is mostly pebbles, with the waves leaving sand exposed at low tide. The wreck of a floating pontoon used by the Allies on D-Day can be found here.
Dark Lane Beach is a secluded spot, but parking is said to be limited and a short walk may be needed to reach it.
Bognor Regis is a popular spot for watersports lovers, with kayaking, paddleboarding and windsurfing accessible from the shore.
For more about the town, visit lovebognorregis.co.uk, which describes Bognor Regis as one of the country’s sunniest spots.