Perfect for a Bond villain: One of Britain's most exclusive homes perched on a rock goes on sale for £1m

By Katie Silver


A hideaway perfect for a James Bond villain, surrounded by water with the only way to gain access via Britain’s lone privately-owned suspension bridge, Scaramanga would have found this exclusive abode quite to his liking.

Perched atop a large rock, residents Lord and Lady Long are to move after a decade in the unique Cornwall property.

Originally put on the market two years ago, the couple have dropped the asking price by more than a quarter of a million pounds.

Sitting atop a rock, only accessible by a private suspension bridge, The Island at Newquay, Cornwall seems straight from a Bond story and would indeed be the perfect hideaway for a villain

While navigating the 100ft long bridge, suspended some 90ft off the ground, might excite our fantasies of international espionage, the elderly couple said it is becoming increasingly difficult with age and they are selling up.

The three bedroom house was built on the top of Towan Island on the beach at Newquay, Cornwall, in the 1930s.

When the tide is in the island is completely surrounded by water and from the top of the granite rock there are 360 degree views.

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Terracing means that whoever buys the property can follow the sun all day.

Lord Long, 83, said: ‘This is one of the most incredible spots.’

Lord and Lady Long bought the house as a holiday home in 2001 when it was on the market for 500,000 pounds and loved it so much they stayed.

But Lady Long said the slippery granite steps either side of the swaying Edwardian bridge posed a problem for them.

She has said: ‘We have decided to sell before this becomes a problem.’

It will only be the third time the property has been offered for sale in the last 40 years.


Keen for privacy? This is the view across the 100ft long suspension bridge which sits 90ft off the ground. The path has become hard for the elderly couple to negotiate


It will be the third time in 40 years that the house has changed owners

Sarah Lillicrap, of Lillicrap Chilcott describes the picturesque house as one of the most photographed in the country

Viscount Long, who was a Tory whip in the Lords during the Thatcher and Major years, might now be replaced by a millionaire surfer as Newquay is a popular surfing resort.

Sarah Lillicrap, from Lillicrap Chilcott estate agents, which is dealing with the sale, said: ‘It must be one of the most photographed homes in the country.

‘The bridge is an amazing structure but as I understand it Lord Long is ready for something with a slightly more accessible front door.

‘The bridge was built in 1901 and is the only privately-owned suspension bridge in the country.

‘There was a tea room on the island until the house was built in the 1930s and this will have been only the third time it has been offered for sale in the last 40 years.


Grand: The house was built in the 1930's and can get 360 degree views


View of the beach: In the early 2000s, the beach used to be the home of much partying, where naked revellers would run squealing into the surf, bonfires would be lit and couples would have sex in public


Life in the sun: Viscount Long was a Tory whip during the Thatcher and Major years. Now, the house may be bought by a millionaire surfer as Newquay is a popular surfing resort

‘The house has had various colourful owners since it was built including Sir Oliver Joseph Lodge, the gentleman who invented the spark plug.

‘And it is reported that one of his close friends, Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle, visited the island on many occasions.

‘There is a small garden and a terrace so you can follow the sun around all day.

‘It is an iconic property and already there has been a great deal of interest in it.’

Offers around the 995,000 pounds mark are being considered.




source:dailymail