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The Old Radar Station, St Boniface Down, Ventnor

Photo gallery for The Old Radar Station, St Boniface Down, Ventnor

Outdoor dining
Exterior
Aerial view
Miscellaneous
Interior

Reviews

9.8 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

4 bedrooms4 bathroomsSleeps 8200 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Pet-friendly
    Pet-friendly
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
    Kitchen
  • Outdoor space
    Outdoor space
  • Sea view
    Sea view

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

The Old Radar Station, St Boniface Down, Ventnor

Set on the highest point of the Island, you have the opportunity to stay in an extraordinary piece of British history. This recently converted WW2 Receiver Station formed a critical part of the UK s Chain Home Radar Early Warning System.

"I think we can say that the Battle of Britain might never have been won... if it were not for the radar chain" MRAF Sir William Sholto Douglas

Today the house, situated on St Boniface Down, within beautiful National Trust landscape, provides comfortable, modern, accommodation with spectacular views out to sea and towards nearby Ventnor town.
On the ground floor there are 4 generous bedrooms (3 large doubles - 2 with en-suite, and 1 with twin beds), utility and family bathroom. On the new first floor there is a large open plan space that contains living, dining and kitchen. To the south west there are fabulous views out to the bay and sea beyond. From the kitchen there is access to a large protected roof terrace with view right across the Island and back to the mainland.
For enthusiastic walkers please visit the National Trust's website

Please note: the historical nature of this building and its national listing create unique spaces. Whilst ground floor bedrooms are luxurious, we believe, and all have windows they do not have views as they are set within the original spaces of the Radar building. We feel the first floor lounge and terrace views more than make up for this providing some of the most spectacular views on the island.

Property manager

Sarah Carter

Languages

English, French, Italian

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the house: WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Car recommended
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Kitchen island
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 4 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Rooftop terrace

Laundry

  • Laundromat nearby

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming cats and dogs only
  • 2 pets total

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • Near a hospital
  • Near a zoo
  • Near the bay
  • Near the marina
  • Near the sea

Things to do

  • Water park
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Snorkelling nearby
  • Spelunking nearby
  • Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Theme park nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)

General

  • Garden
  • Unit size: 2,153 square feet

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Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age - 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets are allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs and cats only
2 total pets

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Map
Ventnor, ENG

What's nearby

  • Ventnor Botanic Garden - 5 min drive - 3.6 km
  • Shanklin Old Village - 9 min drive - 8.0 km
  • Shanklin Chine - 11 min drive - 8.9 km
  • Ventnor Beach - 16 min drive - 4.4 km
  • Shanklin Beach - 26 min drive - 10.2 km

Getting around

  • Shanklin Station - 18 min drive
  • Southampton (SOU) - 139 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Besty & Spinkys - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪The Spyglass Inn - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Smugglers Haven Tea Gardens - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Ocean View Fish & Chips - ‬19 min walk
  • ‪The Village Inn - ‬9 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The Old Radar Station, St Boniface Down, Ventnor pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 2 total).

What time is check-in at The Old Radar Station, St Boniface Down, Ventnor ?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Old Radar Station, St Boniface Down, Ventnor ?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The Old Radar Station, St Boniface Down, Ventnor located?

This family-friendly Ventnor holiday home is located by the sea, within 1 mi (2 km) of Ventnor Downs and Old St Boniface Church. Oceanblue Sea Charters and Monks Bay Beach are also within 2 miles (3 km).

The Old Radar Station, St Boniface Down, Ventnor Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 44 out of 48 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 48 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 48 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 48 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 48 reviews" "

9.8/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Amenities

9.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan C.

Liked: Cleanliness
A Unique Place to Stay
What a privilege to stay in this piece of 20th century history. The highlights are the amazing views down to the coast at Ventnor and the sea beyond as well as the awesome night sky in this area protected from light pollution. The building itself originally a utilitarian radar station has been. reimagined for modern living with an Inspired open plan living area and kitchen on the upper level to supplement the existing downstairs offices, converted to bedrooms and bathrooms. Sarah’s communication was excellent and we felt very much at home in this glorious space.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Travelled with family, Travelled with pets
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Panoramic views Architecturally stunning maintaining historic significance Fantastic communication from property manager Sarah. Memorable stay for 8 adults and dogs celebrating our Golden Wedding Anniversary. Exactly what we wanted Many thanks Sarah
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

James H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Short Break for Two Families
The property is perfect for two families to stay in. Sarah was extremely helpful and accommodating. It is not the most luxurious place in the world, but perfectly comfortable and sympathetically designed to blend with its setting and the original
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

carrie D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Incredible property and location
Fascinating historical property, beautiful views, absolute peace and quiet! All spotlessly clean.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Paul H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Christmas at The Old Radar Station
We spent Christmas at The Old Radar Station, an unforgettable experience at this unique, fascinating home in the most outstanding location on St. Boniface Down. The accommodation is extremely comfortable, with everything you could possibly need for a luxury stay in this unusual property. Sarah, our host, went the extra mile to make our Christmas experience wonderful and provide advice and recommendations for restaurants and places to visit and was always available should we have any questions. Highly recomended!
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Clare S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Weekend with friends at the radar station
A wonderful place to stay for a long birthday weekend with friends! Sarah was an excellent host and the property really has everything you need. Such a fantastic location with the shops and restaurants of Ventnor just a few minutes away! Would highly recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

6/10 Okay

Anthony F.

Problems
A long list of what you cannot do
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Paul

Travelled with partner, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The Old Radar Station is a unique and very fun place to stay. The views from the main living area are stunning. It’s a great place to stay with a group of friends or family with perfect spaces for socialising together. Sarah kept in touch and shared plenty of helpful information via email. The area around The Old Radar Station is perfect for walks to enjoy the scenery.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Colin S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Completely unique
This fantastic re-working of a unique historical WW-II radar station is simpy unique. Its outlook alone is great and complete with the book written about the history of the site and its re-working make it complete. Go!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jane L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Jane
Fantastic, away from it all, break with my husband, his parents and our spaniel. What a find! Tv doesn’t get a good signal but loads of dvds to choose from. (I enjoyed not having a telly). The views are amazing - so is the silence around you. The walking is some of the best I’ve done straight out of the front gate. There are quite a lot of cows but easy enough to avoid if you have a frightened dog, like us. The water supply is rainwater (uv filtered on site) and this did wonders for my hair 😝. The host provides ample bottled water to drink because it tastes better. Plenty of provisions left for you to use, if needed, just replace them before you leave. And a lovely bottle of welcome champagne. We will definitely be booking again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Val H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family short break
What a super stay. Superb property with magnificent views. Loved by all.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Diann A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Sensational retreat setting for a two-family rendezvous
Two families from different continents, friends for over a decade, convened at the Radar Station House for another annual rendezvous. The house is amazing! Sleeping rooms were comfortable and quiet, and allowed for ample privacy with 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. The upstairs area was well appointed, with stunning views and really nice gathering spaces for meals and connection. As a surprise, the weather was exquisitely cooperative, and we hiked at different parts of the isle most days, enjoyed lunches at pubs or inns, and retreated back to the house for more time together. Sarah is a responsive and kind host, and our entry and exit from the property were easy. We highly recommend this gorgeous unique property!
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Veronique J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect !
Stunning location, quirky and very comfortable accommodation ! Everything you need for a perfect get away break !
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Alex K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing house, amazing location!
We enjoyed two wonderful weeks in this unique house. The views are to die for and - even on the few days the clouds came down - being on the top of the down was a really atmospheric experience. The house was full of thoughtful touches and immaculately clean. We appreciated the welcome and local advice from the housekeeper - and enjoyed the chilled bottle of fizz waiting in the fridge. Ventnor is full of fascinating and fun places - we'd especially recommend Crave ice creams at the Ventnorian and the Smoking Lobster restaurant on the seafront.
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2022

8/10 Good

Jackie G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing location
Lovely location for a long awaited family get together.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kate B.

Liked: Cleanliness
An unforgettable 40th Girly getaway
I booked this property nearly a year ago as a celebration Tamark my 40th year with a group of friends including my sister and cousin. The property looked extremely quirky and perfect for what I was wanting. Having just returned home today I really cannot put into words what a fabulous weekend we have had! The Radar Station is utterly breathtaking and I don’t think any amount of photographs would ever do it justice! The most remarkable spot with such incredible history and uniqueness. The view is utterly breathtaking and again it is only when you are there you really can appreciate how special this place really is! Everything about our weekend was five star! The decor of the property was also impeccable and everything has been thought through with great thought. I recommend you read the little book which is provided which gives you an insight into the history on this remarkable property. All I can say is we were very sad to leave and very much hope that one day we can return and recreate magical memories which I know will last a lifetime. There’s not a bad word I would have to say about the property only, I wish it could’ve been longer! We had lunch at the smoking lobster down in town and would go as far as to say it’s one of the best meals we have ever had - so I would highly recommend that Many thanks Kate
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Stephen R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing few days in an incredible location
We spent an amazing few days as a family in this incredible house. Amazing views and facilitates throughout. Would definitely recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Julie T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great weekend stay
Amazing property to catch up with friends. Loved the house, the history and the views.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Ann C., Deal Kent UK

Liked: Cleanliness
I may never leave...
This property offered everything de desire in a complete getaway.Everything about the property and location was perfect.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Neil H., United Kingdom

Liked: Cleanliness
A Room With A View
Nothing can quite prepare you for the spectacular views provided by this one in a million property. The location and design are truly unique with communal spaces that truly encourage being together. The remote location does require a designated driver if eating out, or utilise the fantastic facilities to their maximum and cater from home. Wonderful with views that can’t be beaten.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Olivia R., Galle, Sri Lanka

Liked: Cleanliness
Diamond wedding celebration
We celebrated our parents Diamond Wedding anniversary over the bank holiday weekend, with 2 nights at the Old Radar Station to rest and recover from their party and regroup as a family. It was the perfect spot for us. Such a lovely spacewith sublime views and glorious walks in every direction. We cooked, played games and enjoyed every the eclectic designs in every corner of this iconic house. The icing on the cake were the glorious bluebell carpet just over the brow of the hill. We will be return often to this extra special place.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Eva S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Historic and stylishly modern get-away.
We felt so fortunate to have an opportunity to stay at this historic radar station. The background and story of the property made it an especially memorable stay. It was our first visit to the Isle of Wight and I had contacted Sarah only a few days before flying in from the States as I had seen the property online and knew it was the perfect place to stay. Our criteria was that the place had to be unique, have a clear view of the water, feel secluded with immediate access to walking trails and yet also be close to towns, have easy onsite parking, have a very cool and luxurious design vibe (which it absolutely does) and also be comfortable and warm (since it was winter), have one large open-plan living area for hanging out with family and possibly a big deck/patio. This was the only property that ticked all those boxes. We arrived tired and hungry on the Isle after our overnight travel and immediately had a great meal at the "Smoking Lobster" in Ventnor (recommended by Sarah) before checking in to the Radar Station where a lovely welcome package of wine and flowers bouquets awaited us. Altogether, we had exactly the stay that I was hoping for and we could happily have moved in for months. What Sarah has created here is something very special. (An interesting aspect to note is that because of its location and it's dark-sky commitment, that the curtains in the living area all automatically close at sunset and open at sunrise.)
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Hugh R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Misty Christmas Wonderland!
We were genuinely sad to leave the Old Radar station at the end of our stay. The property was beyond all of our most optimistic expectations and we had such a memorable Christmas week that we’ll be talking about it for years to come! On misty and foggy days it felt exciting to be deep in a cloud, on sunny clear days we were afforded stunning sunrises and beautiful views. I’ll be raving about the place to all my friends and I hope to come back soon in a different season as I’m certain each is wonderful! The kitchen is well stocked so we were able to bake and cook as if at home. The property is well heated for cold days and nights with great showers to warm up in after wild weather walks. Each bedroom is large and comfortable such that you never feel like you’re on top of each other and the communal area is great for kids and grown ups alike. Sarah is a great host, responsive, professional and generous. It’s the best rental property we’ve stayed in and it will take something incredible to be surpassed.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Philip A., London

Liked: Cleanliness
Stunning property, stunning location
It's quirky, but this property was incredible. We were there with friends for a birthday celebration and it was perfect. It is remote but we enjoyed that, the interiors are to a high specification. One of the highlights is the views, another is the living space so we could all be together. It is well equipped and there are some great walks from there.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Wendy C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful escape
We arrived in the property with minimal visibility. We were literally in the clouds. Oh my goodness when they finally lifted! The views were amazing! In terms of the accommodation it is really well laid out - the stairs were quite steep for my 85 year old mother but she coped. The kitchen was well equipped - sharp knives always a bonus. The fact that there were basic things like salt and pepper, herbs and spices, tins of tomatoes, oils etc really helped. The policy of please replace If you use up was great. As for the baking supplies, woah. that was an added bonus. From a fitness perspective my sport bunnies loved being in a National Trust park and went out running each day. Got lost a couple of times but hey! Recommendations on where to go and eat were spot on. Try the Hamborough Hotel - it will get a Michelin Star soon. The Bonchurch Inn - amazing and don’t judge a book by its cover. All in all three generations on the IoW for week - fab time had by all!
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2021