Isle of Wight self catering manor house, England
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
North Court is surrounded by fifteen acres of gardens, which have been recognised for their historic importance by English Heritage. The spring-fed garden and unique microclimate supports over 4,000 plant varieties.
The gardens range from carefully 'managed' wilderness to more formal plantings. Many of the trees, shrubs and plantings have matured over the time we have lived at NorthCourt, but others from when the gardens were created nearly 400 years ago.
The garden is full of different microclimates creating a very wide biodiversity of wildlife, which mixes in a balanced way with our plantings, which have enhanced that biodiversity and the natural picturesque beauty of the location.
Our Kitchen Garden, as well as providing an abundance of fruit and vegetables used both in the B&B and by our self-catering guests, is home to many varieties of apple that are fast disappearing from these isles. We regularly have visits from apple aficionado's seeking out these rare varieties.
Christine and I are the current custodians of this very special environment we have dedicated much of our lives to nurture, develop and protect it. We use organic methods of gardening, composting everything we can, and believe in a very sustainable approach to the garden, with plenty of mulching and no watering. By growing the right plant for that microclimate is the most sustainable approach, as it will thrive with the minimum of care.
We are currently working on a sustainable development plan for the stables and walled garden to ensure its long-term survival by holding commercial residential courses on topics as cooking with fruit and vegetables, horticulture, landscape appreciation.
Community
We are well known both locally in the village and across the Island for our commitment to the historic house, gardens and its place within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
John has been chairman of the Isle of Wight Gardens Trust for 15 years, is a member of the AONB partnership, and has been on many Isle of Wight conservation groups and trustee of several charities. These have included 15 years on the National Trust Isle of Wight property management committee, and he is now vice chairman of the Isle of Wight branch of the Country Landowners Association.
We regularly allow the grounds of NorthCourt to be used to support local events, many of which have charitable or fundraising goals.
Christine was county organiser for the National Gardens Scheme, rings the church bells and John sings in the choir. Christine also is on the Shorwell midsummer fair committee and Shorwell Woman's Institute.
We are fervent supporters of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and wider environmental campaigns across the Island. Although we understand the need for 'green' energy we are opposed to the landscape both on-shore and off-shore being blighted by huge wind-farms and have campaigned against large scale wind farms in designated landscapes.
John has commented on many inappropriate planning applications and had been a member of the CPRE, Isle of Wight Natural History and Archaeological Society, Friend of Carisbrooke Castle Museum, friend of Ventnor Botanic Gardens and many others.
We encourage our guests to explore the Island and support other local businesses such as pubs, restaurants and visitor attractions with a similar ethos to ours. Our bedroom browsers contain our recommendations.
Landscape
The NorthCourt estate nestles within the southwest section of the Island's AONB, with Chillerton Down overlooking us. From our 100ft woodland lookout we enjoy distant sea views to the island's heritage coast.
John has given talks about the Parks and Gardens of the Isle of Wight through being chairman of the Isle of Wight Gardens Trust, and led a few guided walks within the AONB.
We aim to publish a book about the history and development of Northcourt - when time permits so that we can more widely share our knowledge
At every opportunity we are keen to share this wonderful place with our guests, we urge them to explore the gardens and the wider AONB. We offer guided tours of the gardens, open them regularly both locally and via the National Garden Scheme.
We provide plenty of walking information and our own maps of walks from the garden, talk to guests over breakfast about all the places to visit. We have ourselves walked most of the Island footpaths so have a good knowledge of many of these, which we can share.
John is a keen photographer and has started an online gallery of his photographs with some for sale as postcards. We have even helped organise photographic residential courses and walking holidays.
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