This year’s autumn retreat for the Arcadia team led us to the superb Pinkmead Estate and Vineyard on the Isle of Wight. Our group comprised of six adults and one four-legged furry friend.
Situated on the banks of the River Medina, this luxury holiday rental, spanning 24 acres of secluded private estate, extends a warm welcome for gatherings of friends or family and is proudly dog friendly.
The main house comfortably sleeps six in three tranquil bedrooms. There’s a spacious outhouse building, which serves as a chef’s kitchen or party room complete with a Sonos music system. A standalone yoga studio offers complimentary yoga mats and weights. And there’s a sauna in the garden — a real showstopper, especially in colder weather.
Family-owned and managed, the estate combines a modern style with a touch of traditional charm. The interiors feature hardwood furniture and plush upholstery throughout, complemented by the addition of more contemporary details such as brass light fittings fitted with large filament-style light bulbs.
The dining room is bright and airy, providing stunning views across the expansive lawn, leading down to the water’s edge.
Exploration of the grounds via electric golf buggy reveals expansive lawns, woodlands, and hidden lakes where you might catch sight of some of UK’s rarest birds. At the Boathouse, find two paddleboards, two kayaks, a canoe, and a dinghy — perfect for a casual outing to the pub across the river.
Private dining experiences with some of the island’s top chefs are available, but we opted to craft our own, firing pizzas in the outdoor wood-burning oven and enjoying them al fresco on the outdoor patio. There’s also a BBQ and sofa seating area where guests can enjoy a log burning fire.
There are plenty of activities and experiences on offer, from yoga, Pilates, and massages to water sports, beekeeping tutorials, and tours of the adjacent vineyard.
The vineyard aims to start producing English Sparkling, Rosé, and White wine by 2030 with a focus on sustainable principles. This effort will involve using the discarded grape skins as a by-product for a skincare range that will be featured within the residence.
The bustling seaside town of Newport is just a couple of miles down the road and can be reached by taking a leisurely ride along the footpath, passing wetlands and fields of grazing cows, on the estate’s Pendleton bikes.
But with such a peaceful and well-equipped retreat, you may find little inclination to venture beyond the confines of Pinkmead’s extensive grounds.
We had an incredibly special time at Pinkmead, making memories we’ll cherish forever.
Travel to the Isle of Wight from Portsmouth or Lymington via a short crossing on Wightlink ferries.
pinkmeadestate.co.uk
@pinkmeadestate
Pinkmead, Werrar Lane, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 5TU
