Christie & Co bring to market 18th century Georgian Country House
Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co has brought to market, Marshall Meadows Country House Hotel, an elegant 18th century Georgian house near the popular coastal town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, north Northumberland.
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Surrounded by 12 acres of picturesque gardens and woodland just a few hundred metres from the Scottish border, Marshall Meadows Country House is a well-known and profitable hotel, which enjoys good levels of repeat business. Dating back to the 18th century, the property is regarded as England’s most northerly accommodation and was a private residence and recovery hospital during the second world war before it was converted into a hotel.
Nearby attractions which draw guests to the area include Northumberland National Park and the stunning north east coastline with its beautiful beaches, popular seaside towns and villages, historic castles and an array of delightful border towns including Duns, Kelso, Etal and Melrose. Berwick itself is a thriving town, famed as being the most northerly town in England and boasting its own castle and railway station, which is a main stop off on the East Coast Mainline linking London and Edinburgh.
The established hotel boasts a wealth of Georgian elegance throughout the 19 well-appointed en-suite rooms, many with sea or garden views. The public areas comprise a charming bar with views across the lawns and patio, a comfortable resident’s lounge with an open fire and a restaurant with a mezzanine breakfast room enjoying partial sea views.
The large Border Function Suite, which is utilised for weddings and events, features its own bar servery and accommodates up to 120 diners. The light and airy room opens onto the patio terrace and adjoining conservatory which can add a further 32 covers. The Music Room with sea views also provides conference and meeting options and this grand room would also make an ideal bridal suite subject to conversion.
Adjoining the hotel is a two-storey coach house, currently used as two separate dwellings with a garden and decked balcony. The building is ideally suited as owners or managers accommodation, however it could be converted to provide extra letting bedrooms or as a single cottage or holiday let to increase income and profits. The site also features a good-sized staff apartment.
The hotel was purchased by brothers, Robert and David Hester in 2011 and they have made the decision to sell in order to retire from the sector.
Robert comments “It is with a heavy heart that we are now looking to sell Marshall Meadows. It has not only enabled us to live out our passion but it has been a home and a fantastic place to enjoy the last decade. We are now at an age where we are looking to retire and very much hope that someone else will be able to enjoy all that the Northumberland coastline has to offer in what is a building and grounds which still has so much un-tapped potential to further the business in a now booming domestic market. Nevertheless we will certainly miss the lifestyle and of course the sight of so many wonderful guests enjoying themselves.”
The hotel currently holds a rating of 8.5 on Booking.com and a score of 4.5 out of 5 on TripAdvisor however there is great scope for a new owner to increase trade and ratings beyond this level.
Mark Worley, Director at Christie & Co is handling the sale and comments, “We are delighted to have been given the opportunity to market Marshall Meadows, with its rich history and wonderful grounds. Due to the foreign travel restrictions which are in place at present, the UK hospitality industry is benefitting from increased trade levels as people seek holidays and breaks closer to home. We have seen a big increase in the demand for country house hotels such as this, which have the ability to host weddings ,so it’s a great opportunity for a purchaser to acquire an established and profitable business within the sector.”
Marshall Meadows Country House Hotel is on the market with a guide price of £925,000 for the freehold.