THE TRANQUIL OTTER LUXURY SELF CATERING LODGES THURSTONFIELD, CUMBRIA CA5 6HB
THE TRANQUIL OTTER
LUXURY SELF CATERING LODGESTHURSTONFIELD, CUMBRIA CA5 6HB
INTRODUCTION
The Tranquil Otter provides self-catering luxury holiday letting lodges and
has an impressive and sustained trading record. The business provides
high specification holiday letting lodges and continues to benefit from the
ever increasing demand for UK short stay holidays. In addition to the
lodges, which are rated as 5 Star by Visit England, the property includes a
fabulous detached house and scope for further development.
The property was acquired by the Vendors in 2007 and has become one of
the most highly regarded lodge letting locations in the north west of
England. The Vendors have completely refurbished 7 of the original lodges
and constructed the 8th lodge which provides two storey accommodation.
The property is set in a private nature reserve with its own lake and
extensive areas of private woodland. All 8 lodges have undisturbed views
across the tranquil 20 acre lake (the “Lough”) – one of a number of factors
contributing towards high levels of repeat business.
LOCATION
The Tranquil Otter sits on the eastern edge of Thurstonfield village which
provides a rural but accessible location, with the M6 being only 6 miles from
the property.
The location itself provides the excellent opportunity to walk in the beautiful
rugged landscape with a variety of beautiful countryside paths and walks on
the doorstep of Thurstonfield.
There are 3 country pubs within a couple of miles of the property and also
local shops and amenities including a renowned high quality butcher at
Great Orton (2.5 miles). An extensive list of eateries are available in the
Carlisle area, with many being within a 15 minute drive from The Tranquil
Otter. There are three supermarkets within 6 miles.
SUMMARY
• Established 5-Star rated self-catering letting business nestled
between the Lake District and Solway Coast.
• Extending to c.50 acres (including a c.20 acre lake).
• Developed with 8 high specification letting lodges.
• Planning permission to develop a further 2 lodges (one structure built).
• Stunning detached four bedroom house.
• Exceptional trading performance.
Guide Price £2.75m for the business and dwelling house
THE TRANQUIL OTTER, THURSTONFIELD, CUMBRIA CA5 6HB
Source - Promap
The Lough
THE TRANQUIL OTTER, THURSTONFIELD, CUMBRIA CA5 6HB
Private Woodland
LOCATION (continued)
Further afield, the list of attractions and beauty spots is almost endless and
include Carlisle Castle, Hadrian’s Wall, Talkin Tarn Country Park, Kirklinton
Hall and Hutton in the Forest medieval house, all within 20 miles.
To the south lies the world renowned Lake District National Park. The
Tranquil Otter provides a relaxing accommodation alternative to the
congested Lakeland centres, the National Park lies to the south within
easy reach for day visits. The northern Lake District towns of Keswick
and Pooley Bridge are within a 40 minute drive.
To the north and west the beautiful Solway Coast can be reached in under
half-an-hour.
THE PROPERTY
The property extends in total to circa 50 acres (19.9 hectares) and has
been thoughtfully developed to provide 8 holiday letting lodges within
private woodland, all of which have undisturbed views across the 20 acre
lake and private hot tubs.
The detached house provides exceptional 4-bedroom accommodation and
has an enviable waterfront position. The house is presently used as a
family home but could easily be used as a high quality holiday letting house
to groups or families.
The property includes a 20 acre lake (the “Lough”) home to an almost
endless list of waterfowl and other wildlife. The Lough was previously
operated as a fishery but is not currently stocked.
The property is largely classified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest
(SSSI) by reason of its exceptional variety of wild birds and plants,
affording access to grants for environmental and conservation work. The
present owners’ have enjoyed managing the water and woodlands to
maximise diversity of wildlife.
LUXURY SELF CATERING LODGES
There are 8 luxury self-catering letting units of which 3 are ‘lodges’ (and
therefore ‘moveable’ in terms of planning) and 5 are of permanent
construction. The original 7 lodges have been renovated to the highest of
standards and provide an outstanding quality of letting accommodation.
The 8th lodge was constructed by the Vendors in 2015 and provides two
storey accommodation (pictured top right). There is planning permission
in place to develop 2 further lodges of this type.
A full breakdown of all the accommodation types is provided at
www.thetranquilotter.co.uk but please see a summary below.
THE LODGES – GENERAL INFORMATION
Each lodge is complete with a private lakeside hot tub, part-sunk into the
spacious verandas. The lodges are landscaped around the shore of the
Lough with natural screening, giving privacy for guests on the veranda
and in the hot tub.
A welcome tray, pint of milk, basketful of logs and kindling are provided for
the log-burner in each lodge and guests have various options to pre-order
food, drink, flowers and beauty products in advance of their stay.
Alder Lodge
Veranda and Hot Tub
THE TRANQUIL OTTER, THURSTONFIELD, CUMBRIA CA5 6HB
Dunnock Lodge
Buzzard and Chiffchaff Lodges
The fibre Wi-Fi connection to each lodge means guests can log-on and
truly make themselves at home.
Uniquely each lodge has its own boat moored, just off the deck. The boats
being flat bottomed means even the most nervous guest can enjoy the
Lough.
THE LODGES – ACCOMMODATION SUMMARY
Alder Lodge – Sleeps 4 – ideal for couples and families who enjoy lots of
indoor space. The lodge is a true ‘log cabin’ construction of massive tree
trunks from the local Bassenthwaite forest and has magical double height
space downstairs; watch the light pour in.
Buzzard Lodge – Sleeps 4 – with fabulous views and a private setting.
Ideal for two couples or family of four. A cosy two-bedroom lodge with
high ceilings and fabulous natural light.
Chiffchaff Lodge – Sleeps 2 – one-bedroom lodge right at the water’s
edge and has its own private Jetty. The lodge gets amazing natural light
due to its proximity to the water and the jetty has become a favourite for
the resident waterfowl.
Dunnock Lodge – Sleeps 4 – provides private and spacious
accommodation which suits two couples or family of four. Set back in a
secluded position with a grassed area between lake and lodge.
Guests enjoy hiding away in this lovely lodge.
Egret Lodge – Sleeps 4 - with lakeside deck and sauna – great for
couples and families who enjoy lots of outdoor space. Ideal for a family
with children – great for granny too.
Fieldfare Lodge – Sleeps 2 - all the facilities of the larger lodges and
popular for honeymoons, birthday celebrations and short breaks. Ideal for
couples who like space and feeling of being away from it all.
THE TRANQUIL OTTER, THURSTONFIELD, CUMBRIA CA5 6HB
THE LODGES – ACCOMMODATION SUMMARY (CONTINUED)
Gadwall Lodge – Sleeps 2 – all the facilities of the larger lodges but
most popular with couples who enjoy lots of indoor space.
Heron Lodge – Sleeps 6 - great for family and friends – one of the
most popular lodges, usually booked up for months in advance.
Egret Lodge
THE TRANQUIL OTTER, THURSTONFIELD, CUMBRIA CA5 6HB
View from Veranda Sauna in lodge
Log Burner
Trip Advisor rating of 5 out of 5 with 93%* of
guests categorising the lodges as
“Excellent”.
Each lodge has been refurbished to an
exceptional standard and has a 5* Visit
England Rating.
*as at 22/2/18
THE TRANQUIL OTTER, THURSTONFIELD, CUMBRIA CA5 6HB
THE OWNER’S HOUSE
The Vendors and their family live in the spectacular detached 4-bedroom
house – “The Lough House” - which holds an enviable waterfront position.
The house is provided with central heating and double glazing throughout
and is presented to an excellent standard.
In summary, the house provides the following accommodation over two
floors:-
Ground Floor
The house is accessed via an appealing timber constructed front porch and
tiled entrance hall. The majority of the ground floor has high quality wood
flooring throughout.
A large fully equipped kitchen with substantial island and adjoining an open
plan dining area and additional seating areas offering panoramic views
across the lake.
An attractive dual aspect lounge is also provided as is an additional snug
which could be used as an office or a gym.
A utility room / boot room is accessed from the back door of the house and
a ground floor WC is provided.
Outside
The property benefits from a lakeside lawned garden to the rear and a
landscaped garden to the front of thehouse.
Owner’s House - Front Owner’s House - Landing
Owner’s House - Rear
THE TRANQUIL OTTER, THURSTONFIELD, CUMBRIA CA5 6HB
First Floor
The first floor is accessed by an impressive custom made timber staircase
which leads onto a generous landing. The accommodation provides 4
double bedrooms, 2 of which have an en-suite shower and an additional
family bathroom.
Gardens
The spacious gardens comprise circa one acre of extensive lawns, two
shrubberies and a highly productive vegetable garden.
PLANNING
Planning permission is in place for the 8 existing lodges and for 2 further
2-storey lodges.
Development has started on one of the lodges whereby the foundation
and main structure have been completed. Works on the second lodge
have not as yet started.
We are advised that the occupancy of the house is not tied to the business
and therefore could be sold separately as an unrestricted residential
property.
The property includes 2 paddocks to the north east of the house, which
would make ideal housing plots subject to planning. There are a two
secondary means of access to the site, one of which provides access
to an area in which planning permission (now expired) has been
granted for further lodges.
Owner’s House - Rear
Owner’s House – Staircase
THE TRANQUIL OTTER, THURSTONFIELD, CUMBRIA CA5 6HB
THE BUSINESS
The Vendor has resisted demands for private ownership on the park and
operates a successful business that is well placed to cater for the buoyant
UK short stay market. The business model provides the ability for a new
owner to continue to derive year-on-year profits from holiday lets.
The Lodges are 5-Star rated by Visit England with an incredible 93% of
guests grading the lodges as “Excellent”.
All 8 letting units are let in-house” and therefore no letting
commission leaves the business.
Over the last three trading years:-
• Repeat and referral business rates exceeds 50%.
• Occupancy rates have ranged between 70-80%.
• An average of 600 booking per year have been made, the equivalent of
75 bookings per lodge per year.
• Average length of booking is 4 nights.
• Average price of booking is £660.
CURRENT BOOKINGS
Copies of trading accounts and access to the booking database can be
provided to seriously interested parties, on signature of a non-disclosure
agreement. These are showing for the coming 12 months occupancy
similar to the last year with a slightly uplift in prices.
THE TRANQUIL OTTER, THURSTONFIELD, CUMBRIA CA5 6HB
The Tranquil Otter from the Air
Winter
Wildlife on Lake
APPORTIONMENT
The owner’s would expect to retain a ‘booking fee’ in respect of
bookings place on or before the date of completion.
INVENTORY
A copy of the fixed asset register of the company can be provided to
seriously interested parties.
STAFF
The lodges are cleaned and prepared by 6 cleaners and a supervisor
mainly on the two changeover days, each week. The gardens and
grounds are maintained with two man/days a week. Marketing is
undertaken by the owners, with most sales taking place on-line.
SERVICES
The park is served by a sealed cesspit which is emptied twice a
year with an overflow to the mains sewerage.
The entire property is served by mains electricity and mains water with
a standby diesel generator. The electricity supply to the business can
readily be separated from that for the house.
A new biomass boiler has been recently installed that provides hot
water and heating for both the house and the lodges (previously fuelled
from gas bulk tank, retained as stand-by heating).
INFORMATION PACK
The Information Pack includes a site plan, trading information and copy
of the planning consents.
THE TRANQUIL OTTER, THURSTONFIELD, CUMBRIA CA5 6HB
WEBSITE
www.thetranquilotter.co.uk.
VIEWING
The property is available to view strictly by appointment only.
PRICE AND SALE STRUCTURE
The business and dwelling house are offered for sale at a Guide
Price of £2.75m, as either one or two lots. The business is held in a
limited company which holds all the contractual and other rights
relative to the business together with substantial environmental
grant entitlements. The owners are equally open to selling the
assets of the business or the shares capital of the limited company.
FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information or to arrange an inspection of the
property, please contact the Sole Selling Agents :-
Richard Moss 0113 200 6910
Robert Smithson 0113 200 1876
DisclaimerColliers International gives notice that these particulars are set out as a general outline only for the guidance of intending Purchasers or Lessees and do not constitute any part of an offer or contract. Details are given without any responsibility and any intending
Purchasers, Lessees or Third Party should not rely on them as statements or representations of fact, but must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise as to the correctness of each of them. No person in the employment of Colliers International has any
authority to make any representation or warranty whatsoever in relation to this property. May 2018
Colliers International is the licensed trading name of Colliers International Property Advisers UK LLP . Company registered in England & Wales no. OC385143. Registered office: 50 George Street, London W1U 7GA.
ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES
THE TRANQUIL OTTER, THURSTONFIELD, CUMBRIA CA5 6HB
Lough House Lodge
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