£4.5m discount as iconic manor goes unsold

Tuesday 13 August 2019

Interested islanders, who were priced out of taking up residence in a luxurious local palace complete with its own chapel, squash and tennis courts, horse stables, pool, three lakes and swans when it went on the market last year, could be in luck – it’s still available, and at a £4.5m discount.

St. John’s Manor, one of Jersey’s most iconic properties, was put up for sale at a total of £22million last year.

The property is one Channel Islands’ most prestigious country estates, which comprises a large secluded manor housed in acres of landscaped gardens, and accessible via a sweeping drive behind a gate.

In its outdoor area, the estate boasts a serpentine, a wildlife lake, a Japanese water garden – and even its own falconry.

Pictured: The gateway to the stunning site. (Google Maps)

But, despite its highly attractive offering, the property remains unsold after a year-and-a-half, and has now been knocked down by nearly £5m – to £17.5m.

It was the home of John Dick, the Canada-born Rwandan consul, businessman, and Seigneur de St. John.

He came to Jersey around four decades ago, acquiring the impressive property and separately the title, which is ‘Saint Jean de Hougue Boete’ in full.

The grounds are also home to a tennis court with a 'leisure pavilion' featuring its own gym, as well as a swimming pool and enclosed squash court. Horse stables and “extensive” garaging are also provided, as well as a walled flower and produce garden.

The properties on site are no less impressive. The main attraction – a centuries-old manor house – has six bedrooms, five of which are suites.

Pictured: The property has strong links to the island’s past, dating all the way to the 1300s. (Island Wiki) 

It also includes several traditional reception rooms with finely-decorated ceilings and wood panelling, as well as a study and office suite.

These are complimented by two guest lodges – one of which features a sitting room, kitchen and dining space, double bedroom and bathroom, and the other with two double bedrooms – and a detached estate manager’s house. This alone is above the size of an average family home, with three to four bedrooms. 

The ‘Hougue Boete’ estate name is thought to be linked with a family named Boet or Boiste, who held property in the parish as far back as 1331 or even earlier. It’s thought that the waterways date back to the days when St John remained accessible by boat.

Since then, it’s passed through numerous well-known island families, including the Lemprieres, who held it from the 1300s to 1500s, and the Journeaux, Le Febvre, de Carteret, La Maistre, Syvret and Le Couteur families. These days, it is occasionally opened up to islanders for special events, including the recent Pride of Jersey Awards.