Leathes Head Country House Hotel For Sale

Business description

Offers Around: £1,675,000 Freehold

The Leathes Head was built on a lovely grassy knoll in the heart of Borrowdale Valley in 1908 as a gentleman's rseidence of immense charm and character for a ship builder from the northeast of England. During the post-war period, it came into use as a hotel and was subsequently owned by the England family. A really lovely detached period property, The Leathes Head is set amid glorious landscaped gardens and grounds and was substantially extended in the 1980s to form the present glorious hotel. With superb views out across the valley and easy access to Keswick, The Leathes Head offers very spacious accommodation for the resident owners and staff to an equally high standard as hotel. The Leathes Head enjoys an enviable position in Borrowdale - England's Most Beautiful Valley - where the Lakeland scenery is at its absolute best. Grange Village with its double arch bridge is only a short walk away at the head of Derwentwater - The Queen of The Lakes. At the end of the valley lies Honister Pass and its route over to Buttermere and Lorton, while at the other end of the valley is the historic town of Keswick. The whole valley is ringed in glorious fells, a mecca for seasoned walkers with Great Gable, Dale Head and Scafell all within easy reach. One of Borrowdale's hidden gems is the ''Hanging Valley'' of Watendlath, sculpted from the huge retreating glaciers which scored the valley. This is still an unspoilt farming scene reached by Ashness Bridge made famous in Tommy Steel's film ''Half a Sixpence''. The present owners acquired The Leathes Head in 1999 and during their ownership they have steadily upgraded this lovely building. The staff flat and owners' accommodation have been completely refurbished as well as the addition of a substantial outside store. Four bathrooms have been re-tiled and upgraded and virtually all of the furnishings have been renewed. The owners, who are now retiring to live locally have chosen to trade on a mid-February to early-November basis, giving a new owner plenty of opportunity to increase the already substantial turnover.

THE PROPERTY
Being in the traditional Lakeland style with stone walls and under a pitched slate roof, the accommodation is laid out on ground and first floors.

PUBLIC AREAS
Vestibule with mat-well. Lovely spacious reception hall to a full depth of the property with reception area and desk. Dining room with two bay windows and feature fireplace and to seat 24. Residents' lounge with slate fireplace and open fire leading to bar lounge with access to the serving bar.

LETTING BEDROOMS
12 Letting Bedrooms to sleep 24 (10 double and 2 twin rooms). Six have en suite bathrooms and six have en suite shower rooms. All letting bedrooms have central heating radiator, telephone extension, colour television, radio/clock alarm, hairdryer and tea and coffee making facilities.

OWNERS' ACCOMMODATION
An exceptionally large living room with separate kitchen area with a range of modern fitted units. Double bedroom with en suite shower room. Further sitting room to the first floor and a second double bedroom with fully tiled bathroom. Separate access to upper floor making versatile accommodation easily adapted to 3 separate units.

STAFF ACCOMMODATION
Having been built 3 years ago, the staff flat comprises: lounge with patio doors to garden, fitted kitchen and two double bedrooms and shower room.

SERVICE AREAS
Kitchen with non-slip floor. Canopy and extraction, stainless steel commercial sinks and stainless steel prep tops. Aga and counter fridges. Fluorescent lighting. Store room/wash up with non-slip floor and fluorescent lighting. Dry goods store with non-slip floor. Laundry. Office.

OUTSIDE
A lovely sweeping drive leads to excellent car park area. The property is surrounded by excellent gardens and grounds extending to almost 3 acres (unmeasured) with lawns, mature trees and evergreen shrubs. Large garage, separate large store and woodstore/shed.

SERVICES
Allerdale District Council at Workington. Mains water and electricity. Private drainage. Oil-fired central heating.

LICENCES
Premises Licence

2009 LISTINGS AA 3 Star (79%) Dining Rossette CT Guide KTA Guide Good Hotel Guide (with video)

TRADE
Certified accounts from the owners' Chartered Accountants in the form of a Trading and Profit and Loss Account show (net) turnover of £307,236 for the year ended 30 September 2008 on which there were trading profits (before finance costs, depreciation and motor vehicle expenditure) of £134,907.

PRICE
Offers around £1.675m are invited for the freehold property complete with goodwill and trade contents (according to inventory), excluding personal items. Stock at valuation.

FINANCE
Colliers Robert Barry is able to assist prospective purchasers by introducing sources of finance if required. Whilst we do not charge the buyer for this service, we may receive an introductory commission from the lender or broker involved.

TO VIEW
All appointments to view MUST be made through the vendors' agents who are acting with sole selling rights.

Property information

Property:

Freehold