Holme Island
| Holme Island | |
 From across the river on Arnside Knott | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Location: | 54°11’48"N, 2°53’13"W |
| Grid reference: | SD422782 |
| Area: | 6⅔ acres |
| Data | |
Holme Island is a private island in Morecambe Bay, belonging to Lancashire. It sits close to the coast, near Grange-over-Sands. The island has been connected to the mainland by a causeway since the 19th century, by which date it was home to a rather special small estate.
In 1828 the island was offered for sale, with the particulars stressing its value as the site 'for a Villa'. The small estate was bought by a Warrington lawyer called John Fitchett, and he had a summer residence built to the designs of the Kendal architect George Webster. After Fitchett's death the estate was advertised for sale, with the 1839 sales particulars describing the 'newly-erected Ornamental Residence' surrounded by glades, lawns, ornamental shrubs, alcoves and terraces.
The new owner was John Thompson, and in 1845 he commissioned Messrs Seward, a Lancaster foundry company, to cast 'sixteen noble pillars in the Corinthian order' which would form a circular temple. Today, the temple is Grade-II listed, although now hidden by trees.