Latest news with #VictorianMansion
News.com.au
20-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Inside Kew's $11.5m mansion with cellar, city views and skate ramp
A Kew mansion with a heritage facade and a hidden skate ramp has hit the market with a $10.5m-$11.5m price guide. The grand Victorian home at 1-3 Sackville St was designed in the late 1800s by prominent architect John Beswicke, whose work helped shape much of Melbourne's early suburban character. Beswicke was responsible for more than 300 buildings across Victoria, including the Hawthorn, Brighton and Essendon town halls, and numerous homes throughout Kew and Hawthorn during the boom era of the 1880s. This property retains key features from that period — wide hallways, ceiling roses, arched verandas, and a striking stained glass window in the stairwell. But, Nelson Alexander Kew agent Laurence Murphy said it's the basement that tends to catch buyers off guard. 'They were the ones who really took on the restoration and brought the property to its current state,' Mr Murphy said. 'Their goal was to honour the home's origins as a grand Victorian-era mansion, while giving it a unique lifestyle edge. Mr Murphy said the basement wasn't part of the original structure – it was added by the previous owners. The lower level boasts a home gym, workshop, wine cellar and six-car garage — along with a fully built-in indoor skate ramp. The home comes with fully endorsed plans by heritage architect Peter Barton to complete the restoration, including adding a tennis court and landscaped gardens. The Nelson Alexander Kew agent Laurence Murphy said from the upper level, the home also enjoys uninterrupted views of Melbourne's skyline. 'From this particular pocket of Sackville Street, that view is genuinely rare,' Mr Murphy said. 'You're looking out over rooftops and tree canopies – nothing in front of you is likely to be built up.' While the current seller hasn't undertaken any changes since purchasing the home in 2023 for $10.58m, interest has come from both local families and international buyers. 'So far, it's been mostly families – local ones, many of whom have admired the home or the location for years,' Mr Murphy said. 'We've also had interest from overseas buyers, particularly those with experience restoring and living in heritage homes.' Mr Murphy said the grandness of the oversized rooms and the beautifully preserved period features at the front of the house was what made the prestigious estate stand out. 'To get a block of this size in Sackville Ward is exceptionally rare,' he said. The home is being sold by Nelson Alexander in conjunction with Marshall White.
The Sun
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Small English castle with ancient woodlands that people say looks just like a Disney film
THE UK is home to a tiny castle that people might not have heard of - but people say its just like a Disney film. Scotney Castle sits on its own island in Kent and is surrounded by a huge moat with walled gardens and a Victorian mansion house. 5 The romantic fortress is found outskirts of Royal Tunbridge Wells and the ruins have been compared by visitors to something from a fairytale. One wrote on Tripadvisor: "The gardens are some of the most beautiful in England - especially in late spring and early summer when the rhododendrons and wisteria are out. "The castle, ruin and moat and surrounding pond is like something from a painting or a Disney movie." Another added: "Scotney Castle is straight out of a fairy tale. It's broken down castle with tower strutting out into the lake is pure Disney." To add to the magical feel, the castle is also surrounded by an ancient woodland and forests that you can explore. Scotney Castle ruins also welcomes dogs and as long as they're on leads, pooches are welcome to stroll around the walled gardens. On site, you'll also find a Victorian mansion which was a later addition to the Scotney estate. It was a home to three generations of the Hussey family from the 1700s until 1970 when it was handed over to the National Trust. The manor house is filled with objects collected through the decades You can also pop into Betsy's second-hand bookshop, the Coach House tea room which offer hot and cold food and children's meals - the menu changed daily and seasonally too. The pretty pink UK castle that is loved by Disney and Britney Spears 5 5 For anyone wanting smaller bites they also have a kiosk where you can pick up cakes, biscuits and ice creams. There's a plant and souvenir shop where you can buy perennials and accessories. Scotney Castle hosts events like guided tours, flower festivals, and theatre events. Throughout the summer, there are performances like A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Alice Through The Looking Glass. There are also musical tribute evenings ranging from ABBA to Fleetwood Mac. Scotney Castle is open daily between 10AM and 5PM. It's recommended to book in advance during weekends and school holidays to guarantee entry. To visit the whole property, an adult ticket costs £19, tickets for children between 5-17 are £9.50 and children under five go free. You'll find Scotney Castle in the 'Royal' English town with one of the UK's fanciest Wetherspoons. One Sun Travel writer even stayed in his very own castle which was in the middle of the sea for £23 a night. 5
