Marian Villa 1.8

This beautiful home was originally called Lansdown and was built about the time of World War 1 for Dr Conrad Akerman. The architect was Clement Stott and it was a conscious copy of the beautiful Sans Souci house built in the middle 80’s by John Harwin as his residence.

The next family to own the house was the Barkers of the firm Barker and Smith. Mr Barker died in 1962 but the family continued to live there until Mrs Barker’s death when it was sold to the Dominican Order. It was altered and renovated for the Dominican Sisters and a very attractive Chapel fitted into the plan.

In the early 1980’s it was put to its present use as a retirement home for the elderly, some of whom occupy the main building, while others have delightful small cottages with private gardens in the grounds; this is the achievement of the St Mary’s Parish Community Project. There has been an incredible demand for accommodation for the elderly since and Marian Villa has extended the accommodation in order to meet the needs of the elderly.