The Admiralty built the Watch House in the 1870s as part of the Bembridge Coastguard Station. The house was the duty headquarters for the Coastguard and its staff were accommodated in the cottages along the lane. At the western end of the front garden is a watch tower which was used by the Coastguard to survey maritime traffic: at that time the channel into the harbour was much closer than it is now. During World War 1, the tower was used as a semaphore station, linking the Island via the Spithead forts to Portsmouth.

As you enter the garden, you will see further evidence of the maritime history of the Watch House – an Admiralty anchor built into the tile work over the top window facing you. On the window facing towards the sea from this room you can see a knocker on a chain that was used to wake up the coastguard on duty if they were asleep.

The house comfortably sleeps ten in five bedrooms. One master bedroom, with an en-suite bathroom and balconies on both sides, sits centrally in the house. On one side of the bedroom is a double bedroom, a bunk room for two children and a bathroom. On the other side of the master bedroom are two twin bedrooms and a bathroom. There are stairs approaching each side. All five bedrooms have sea views and when the tide is high, the sea can be heard lapping at the beach.

At the back of the house is a lawn surrounded by specimen trees and beyond it a secluded but large and very well-kept rose garden. At the front of the house is a terrace overlooking the sea and a gate directly onto the beach. To the west are another lawn and extensive private gravelled parking.