Dream House | Riverside retreat in the hills of St Mary
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The cottage’s serene bedroom offers a restful retreat, with natural surroundings adding to the sense of tranquillity. Photo - Contributed
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The cottage’s serene bedroom offers a restful retreat, with natural surroundings adding to the sense of tranquillity. Photo - Contributed
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Bathrooms include open-air rainfall showers. Photo - Contributed
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Businessman Brandon Marsh, who developed a nature-friendly, solar-powered retreat in St Mary. Photo - Contributed
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Tucked away on the banks of the Rio Nuevo River in the hills of St Mary, the house’s constant river sounds make falling asleep effortless. Photo - Contributed
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The blue infinity-edge pool, surrounded by lush greenery. Photo - Contributed
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The inviting interiors wrap you in warmth and comfort. Photo - Contributed
The historic Warwick Castle Estate in the hills of St Mary is a 2,131-acre property, with the Rio Nuevo River running right through it.
Today, we visit 28-year-old businessman Brandon Marsh at an 800-acre section of the estate, where he has created a nature-friendly, fully solar-powered retreat along the riverbank.
He attended Wolmer’s Boys’ School and studied economics at university in Canada. Marsh returned to a place filled with treasured memories from the many weekends he spent there as a child.
This is the cottage he oversaw and completed 10 months ago. It sits on the banks of the idyllic, crystal-clear river, perfect for wading and swimming. All set within a lush environment with coconut trees aplenty, a herd of cattle nearby, and fruits and vegetables readily available.
The 1,200-square-foot structure, tucked completely out of sight, was designed with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, each featuring an open-air rainfall shower. A shared living, dining and island-kitchen space opens onto a tranquil riverside timber deck. The rhythmic sounds of the river are constant and soothing.
Specifications called for high-performance marine roof shingles, porcelain-tiled floors and a granite kitchen countertop. The exterior was finished in green to harmonise with its verdant garden setting. Some of the furniture was sourced from Canada, while other pieces were handcrafted by skilled craftsmen using fallen guango trees from the property.
An infinity pool delights with its shimmering blue water, while a custom fire pit warms the air on cool nights and adds to the atmosphere of relaxation.
The estate itself has a rich history. It was once owned by Sir Simon Haughton Clarke, the ninth baronet, reputed to be, at the time, the seventh-richest man in England and a major plantation owner on the island. Ownership of the estate was later transferred to landowner John Marsh. The legacy of those vast holdings lives on through his descendants, including Brandon Marsh, who now oversees a section of the property.
Brandon Marsh simply describes the living environment as “a slice of heaven”.
Barry Rattray is a dream house designer and builder. Email feedback to barryrattray1@hotmail.com and lifestyle@gleanerjm.com.