Stepney House

Stepney House is ideally located about 10 minutes drive from Bridgetown and the South Coast.  It is a mere mile and a half from the emancipation statue (Bussa) a well-known landmark on the ABC highway. A major shopping centre, gas station and mini mart are all within 2 miles. Access is via a concrete road connecting directly to Highway 5. This property offers a panoramic view of the fertile Bulkeley Valley and the ridge stretching from Cave Hill in St. Michael to District C in St. Philip. 
The House is believed to have been built prior to the 1690’s and underwent changes through the ages.  A sketch “Stepney Barbados from Nature 1831” by James Hawkins, previously displayed at the Barbados Museum, shows the house with the same basic structure as it stands today. Stepney House is “listed” by the Barbados National Trust and bears its plaque. 
Of outstanding character, Stepney House is built on a brow overlooking the Bulkeley Valley. Covering approximately 3 acres, the grounds feature unique buttresses and a 40-step stone stairway, 11ft wide. Also included are traditional “sweet lime” hedges, large lawns and generous paved parking areas. A 37ft swimming pool and gazebo is set in the gardens to the East of the house. Outbuildings include a two-bedroom cottage, watchman’s hut and staff quarters. The spacious dining room features large carved mahogany pillars which are complemented by a unique staircase of carved mahogany rails. 
References have been made in historic publications to the grand feasts held in this unique dining room. From the top floor a small stairway leads to the “fish pond” roof referred in “A to Z of Barbadian Heritage” by Henry Fraser et.al. and is one of very few examples remaining today. At the northwestern end of the property a coral stone wall with arches forms a courtyard which includes a “drip stone” and a water gutter header dated 1807 and cast in solid ½” lead. 
The entrance to the home features marble floor tiles, a stained-glass window over the front door and a unique window similar to those swinging types found in old churches. Featuring a cellar, the home is built with a number of galleries and patios.  The main sitting room is surrounded by a number of paneled doorways leading to galleries. Paneled windows with built-in hurricane shutters can be found on both floors. On the ground floor the polished pine floors add to the outstanding character of the dining and sitting rooms. 
The kitchen wing contains a breakfast room, displaying its old stone finish, a modern kitchen with granite counter tops and the old kitchen with its original chimney. The old kitchen room is presently used as a utility and storage room. 
The garage, adjoining the kitchen wing, provides covered parking for four cars. The original stables have been converted into a two-bedroom cottage with two-foot wide walls and two patios.
A solar PV electricity system supplies a substantial part of the electricity demand at the property, and solar hot water systems provide hot water for the house and cottage. The pool also features a solar hot water heating system fitted to the roof of the Gazebo.
Stepney House is a beautiful property, steeped in history. The elevated position affords privacy and amazing views with cool breezes flowing throughout. This is a must see opporutity and ideal for those who appreciate the quintessential charm of historic homes.