Lundy Properties

Millcombe House

This is the former residence of the Heaven family, built in classical style in 1835. Possibly the most elegant building on the island, built from stuccoed granite in a sheltered wooded valley, looking out to sea, with its own private gardens and terrace.

It is a pleasing and sociable house, planned around a central hall on the ground floor with central staircase leading to the seven bedrooms above. The house sleeps twelve people, accomodated in two doubles, two singles, and three twins, and boasts bath and shower room, with seperate cloakroom, all on the ground floor. There is also a huge and well equipped kitchen. The well proportioned rooms are comfortably furnished in 19th century style in keeping with the house.

A document on display in the main hall downstairs, records the Queen's visit to the island in 1958, on board the Royal yacht Brittania.

Bramble Villas

The orignal bungalow which stood in this location was built by Rev Heaven in 1893, constructed in colonial style with a verandah facing east, similar to houses built by the British in India or East Africa. Martin Harman later named the building Brambles as its garden has become something of a jungle. By 1970, the building was completely derelict.

Landmark replaced the building with a prefabricated pair of Victorian style villas, deliberately reminiscent of the original building.

Hamners

This attractive four berth property was originally built as a chalet by fisherman George Smith in 1902. He chose an excellent site, on a dip in the hillside leading up the the Castle, and overlooking the beach road. The property then has superb views out to sea, and is an excellent vantage point for watching basking sharks in the bay below.

The property is weatherboarded from the outside, with an interior made from wood, painted white in the front rooms, giving it a homely and comfortable feel. There are two bedrooms, the front one with twin bunks, and the rear one with twin beds. The property has a large lounge with seperate dining area, good sized kitchen and shower room. It is situated slightly away from the village, so may not be suitable for older visitors or those with mobility problems.

The Castle

The Castle which sits at the crest of a hill, overlooking the landing beach, was first built by Henry III in 1244, and was paid for by the sale of rabbits, since Lundy at that time was a Royal warren. When Landmark took over the island, it was ruinous but they quickly converted into three holiday cottages arranged around the small keep, and all inclining inwards.

Castle Keep South is the largest of the three, with a handsome living room and to good siezed bedrooms, both of which are twins. It has a good sized kitchen and shower room on the ground floor.

Castle Keep East is the most attractive of the three, and the only property with windows that look out to sea, from the bedroom and upstairs living room. It has a small kitchen with dining area downstairs, and shower room upstairs, with one twin bedded room.

Castle Keep North also sleeps two, in one double room. The granite fireplace in the main living room comes from one of the old Quarry Cottages. The property has a small kitchen with living and dining area downstairs, with the bedroom and shower room upstairs.

The properties are all comfortably furnished with wood burning stoves creating a cosy atmosphere in the cold winter months. They are situated a short walk from the village, so may be less suitable for older visitors or those with mobility problems.

The East Villa looks over the sea towards the North Devon coast with light in its east rooms, while the West Villa is more sheltered. Visitors can still however take advantage of the sun trap outside its windows in the afternoon. Both properties comfortably sleep four persons, accomodated in one twin and one double room. The Villas each have similar layouts, with kitchen, lounge and bathrooms with bath, rather than shower. They are slightly away from the village, on the main road leading up the village, so may not be suitable for older people or those who are slightly less mobile.