An opportunity to purchase a luxury retreat complex comprising guest accommodation in eight lodges with private hot tubs, plus Egret House. Four well-stocked fishing lakes plus a stock lake. Set in 15.59 acres.
UNDER OFFER
The site area totals 15.59 acres, including a large car park, landscaped green space, four well-stocked fishing lakes and a stock lake. Guest accommodation is provided via eight lodges, plus Egret House. The capacity of the nine accommodation units ranges from two to six people. All accommodation is equipped with private hot tubs. There are also shower blocks and separate w/c’s on-site, with a reception building that could also support either a restaurant or shop to serve the site (subject to planning permission).
PROPERTY The Head Fen Country Retreat complex totals an area of 15.59 acres and is comprised of the following elements:
Cathedral View Lodges (x4): 63.31 sqm timber lodges sleeping up to six people, each with an extensive terrace, hot tub and a single sauna.
Egret Lodges (x2): 36.57 sqm timber lodges sleeping up to four people, each with a terrace and hot tub.
Egret House: 125.20 sqm luxury cottage with an extensive terrace, hot tub, spacious living and dining room, sleeping up to six people.
Mini Lodges (x2): 14.33 sqm open-plan glamping pods sleeping up to two people, each with a hot tub.
Additional Facilities: 38.71 sqm reception building, a shower block and two w/c’s.
Note: the two shepherd huts located at the property are to be excluded from the sale, and will be removed from the site prior to the sale completion.
The above area measurements of the lodges have been provided on a Gross Internal Area basis.
THE BUSINESS Head Fen Country Retreat generated a gross turnover of £342,000 for the year ending 31 December 2021, with a gross profit of £136,000.
More specific details of the company accounts can be made available to parties who have viewed the property.
Note: a small proportion of this income is derived from a caravan business which is operated by the Vendor on adjacent land. By way of separate negotiation and subject to agreement, there is the potential for the Purchaser to lease the caravan site from the Vendor.
Due to the attractiveness of the site and its rural location, booking rates are high for the business, with all accommodation frequently fully booked. The weekly booking price per cabin is approximately £2,000.
The Head Fen Country Retreat business model relies primarily on income derived from the holiday accommodation, with a secondary revenue stream provided by the established fishing lakes. The lakes are abundant with mature fish, including Carp, Perch, Trout, Bream, Chub, Ide, Tench and Barbel. The property offers great flexibility for keen anglers, with a range of options available, including yearly membership, residents’ tickets or day tickets.
LOCATION Head Fen Country Retreat is situated in a tranquil part of rural Cambridgeshire, making it an ideal destination for getaways all year round.
The famous Welney Wetland Centre is only 6 miles to the north-east and attracts an array of wildlife, enhancing the local scenery.
The quiet road and footpath network surrounding Head Fen Retreat makes it the perfect location for cycling and walking.
The Fenlands provide a wide range of attractions. Ely, famous for its Cathedral, is 5.4 miles south of the property. Ely is also home to the former residence of Oliver Cromwell, as well as many museums, pubs and restaurants. The market towns of Whittlesey, Downham Market and March, are rich in history and hotspots for fresh local produce.
During the summer months, a trip to the picturesque Norfolk coast is only a 50-minute drive.
METHOD OF SALE The freehold of the site is offered for sale by private treaty with the vacant freehold available upon completion. The property and trading business is to be sold as a going concern, inclusive of the company’s trading website and furnishings of the buildings.
PLANNING The Vendor has commenced planning work to remove the holiday accommodation use restriction on Egret House.
ACCESS The property benefits from two secure gated access points directly off the adopted highways, Seventh Drove and Head Fen Drove.
SERVICES The site benefits from both a mains water and electricity supply. Drainage to the lodges is provided via Sewage Treatment Plants, whilst Egret House has a septic tank installed. Hot water and heating is delivered to the lodges via immersion heaters and electric radiators, whilst the central heating in Egret House is powered by LPG, and hot water generated by electricity.
TENURE & POSSESSION The site is to be sold with vacant possession.
LOCAL AUTHORITY East Cambridgeshire District Council The Grange Car Park Nutholt Lane Ely CB7 4EE 01353 665555
HEALTH & SAFETY All viewings are carried out at the sole risk of the viewer and neither the letting agent nor the Vendor takes responsibility.
VIEWINGS Viewings of the property are strictly by appointment only, and to be accompanied by either the selling agent or the Vendor.
DIRECTIONS From Cambridge: Head north on the A10 for 13.9 miles. Take the exit onto Downham Road/B1411. Just before St Leonard’s Church in Little Downham, turn right onto Lawn Lane, following the road to join California Road. Continue straight and take the exit onto Main Drove. Continue along Main Drove until you reach Head Fen Country Retreat.
WHAT3WORDS /// plank.brilliant.squeaks
CARTER JONAS CONTACTS Jamie Elbourn Jasmine Holland
The next steps...
1
Establish funds
How will you fund the purchase?
Before making an offer on a property you will want to consider your financial situation, your income and outgoings.
Will you finance the purchase of your next property from the sale of an existing property which can put you in a chain, arrange a mortgage through your bank or buy the property outright.
To help you finance your next property purchase, we have a long established relationship with an independent mortgage broker who can discuss your situation with you.
They do all the legwork for you, working on your behalf with the lender
They compare wholesale mortgage rates from a large number of banks and lenders all at once
Their wholesale interest rates can be lower than retail (bank branch) interest rates
They offer more loan options because they work with numerous banks and lenders
They can finance tricky deals because of their knowledge and various lending partners
They are typically easier to get in contact with, and are less bureaucratic.
However advantages of working with your bank are:
You may be able to build off an existing relationship (and gain discounts if you have a checking or savings account)
You may already know the banker who will handle your mortgage
Banks may be more accountable than a smaller shop
They may offer lower interest rates in some cases
Their ability to add mortgage to existing banking profile and make automatic payments from linked account.
2
Making an offer
with Carter Jonas.
When you see a property you are interested in on our website, call us 24/7 to arrange a viewing. Or if you prefer, get in touch via our website and we will call you back to find a time to view the property that suits you.
Once you’ve found a property you want to buy, it’s time to make an offer. A bit of negotiation is to be expected, however don't offer so little that you end up in a lengthy negotiation process, as you might lose the property altogether if someone else makes a higher bid.
If other offers have been made on a property we aren't legally able to tell you what they are, but we may indicate if they were close to the asking price.
3
Need to sell a property
or thinking of letting?
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Combined with nearly 170 years of experience and one of the highest customer satisfaction scores in the industry, Carter Jonas is the perfect property partner.
