23 bedroom house

Established home and income opportunity in coastal West Dorset with a 16th century period farmhouse with a high degree of privacy from the 8 holiday cottages. Picturesque village setting only 3 miles from the World Heritage Jurassic Coast in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Set in 2.42 acres.

THE BUSINESS
Turnover (excluding VAT) in the 8 months to 31st October 2021 was £313,949, providing a net profit of £261,492. Operated as a home with income and lifestyle business, the cottages are open for a limited season of 8 months of the year and the occupancy rate was 48% in 2021.

The location on this part of the West Dorset coastline makes it easily accessible for guests from London and the Home Counties.

Costs include a part-time, self-employed caretaker/ maintenance person and a professional cleaning and laundry company. The current owners purchased Berehayes Farm in a dilapidated state of repair in 2014 and have transformed the look and comfort of the cottages along with the Berehayes Spa with renovation costs of approximately £300,000.

Working with the market leaders such as Airbnb and Booking.com the present owners have redesigned their website and have introduced an intelligent booking and management software system to automate the booking system. By providing potential guests with more flexible stays, most bookings come direct from the website: business targets more affluent families as a premier holiday cottage complex. Glamping has recently been added to provide a new revenue stream and has further potential for growth within the top paddock.

The business is VAT registered using the Flat Rate Scheme. A summary accounts for past 3 years can be made available to bona fide purchasers.

LOCATION
Berehayes Holiday Cottages is located in the pretty village of Whitchurch Canonicorum and on the South side of Marshwood Vale. Facilities include a church, public house and village hall.

The property is set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with the Dorset coastline now having World Heritage status and known as the ‘Jurassic Coast’. Fossil hunting on Charmouth Beach (3 miles) is popular with families.

The property has easy access to the A35 to explore the Dorset and East Devon coastline with the resorts of Sidmouth, Budleigh Salterton, West Bay, Lyme Regis and Weymouth being close by. The picturesque villages of Lulworth Cove, Beer and Branscombe are easily accessible. Abbotsbury with its Priory, Swannery and Sub Tropical Gardens are popular day trips within the area.

Berehayes Farm is ideally situated to explore local tourist attractions such as Forde Abbey, the National Trust property of Hardy’s Cottage, the Golden Cap Estate, Corfe Castle, Cerne Abbas (famous for its chalk giant carved out of the hillside) and the pretty village of Colyton with its famous tramway to the coastal resort of Seaton. All weather attractions of Monkey World at Wareham and the Tank Museum at Bovington are ideal day trips.

There are golf courses at Lyme Regis, West Bay, Chard, Honiton, Axmouth and Exmouth. Sailing and boating along the coastline is available at West Bay, Weymouth, Lyme Regis and Axmouth.

The popular market town of Bridport is 5.5 miles away and Axminster is nearby with mainline rail services to London.

PROPERTY
Period Dorset farmhouse dating from the 16th century together with the original stabling and barns were developed into 8 self-contained holiday cottages. The house is Grade II Listed and built of stone under a recently thatched roof (2015) and is at the centre of a charming rural West Dorset farming village providing a peaceful setting to guests but is also close to popular tourist sites.

Berehayes Farm provides well-proportioned family accommodation and retains many features including the original rounded front door, inglenook fireplace, window seats, window shutters, flagstone floors and beamed ceilings.

The farmhouse is set within its own large garden which provides a high degree of privacy as the cottages are set away from the house around an attractive courtyard with the swimming pool complex, games room and children’s playground.

BEREHAYES FARM
Ground floor accommodation comprises; hall, cloakroom, family room, study, sitting room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room (gas hob/electric oven) and utility room.

First floor with landing, four bedrooms, one with en-suite shower room. Recently refurbished family bathroom with roll top bath.

Outside to the rear of the farmhouse is a delightful, secluded south facing garden mainly laid to lawn with patio areas and 3 sheds. Running along the edge of the garden is a small stream. To the side of the garden is a greenhouse, vegetable patch and separate lawned area with duck pond.

BEREHAYES SPA
The recently refurbished indoor pool complex has a 10m oval heated pool, Jacuzzi spa pool, sauna with seating area and changing room with shower and WC.

An eco-friendly air source heat pump has been installed which reduces running costs with an emergency back-up gas fired boiler. No mains water is used in the pool, rainwater from the roof is now filtered. Pool plant room with storage.

Games Room 5m x 5m with pool table, table football, darts, table tennis, toys and games.

Recently built laundry/store 6m x 4m with commercial washing machine, tumble dryer, sink, storage cupboards, linen and spare stores. In addition there is a separate small guest laundry. Timber built garage/workshop 8m x 6m built in 2019 with three siding doors and room for 4 cars. Scope to re-develop into further accommodation or a reception building, subject to gaining the relevant planning consents.

Guest car park with parking for approximately 14 cars. Each cottage has its own designated space. Recently added EV charging points.

THE COTTAGES
The 8 self-catering cottages are converted from traditional barns built of stone and brick. Each cottage offers full amenities which have been carefully incorporated into the buildings to maintain the original characterful features and charm. These include vaulted beamed ceilings, natural exposed stone walls and narrow slit windows. An improved road entrance has been introduced to the cottage complex to provide a good first impression. Each cottage has an open plan living area with Smart TV, dining area, fully equipped ‘country’ kitchens, in-cottage WiFi and electric heating, some with log burners. The cottages share a charming courtyard with tables where families can enjoy ‘al fresco’ dining and a glass of wine.

Smugglers Cottage (sleeps 2)
Single storey end of terrace converted stone barn with double bedroom, newly fitted en-suite bathroom with double sized walk-in shower. The sitting room has a wood burning stove.

Apple Cottage (sleeps 2)
Single storey mid terrace cottage with kingsize bedroom, an en-suite bathroom with bath and shower over. French doors from the lounge/kitchen open out to a private south facing patio.

Honeypot Cottage (sleeps 3)
Single storey end of terrace stone barn with a double and single bedroom. The newly fitted bathroom has a double sized walk-in shower. The living area has a wood burning stove.

Cider Barn (sleeps 4)
Single storey mid terrace stone barn with wood burner and Velux roof windows. One king-size bedroom and one twin bedroom.

Dairy Barn (sleeps 4)
Single storey mid terrace converted barn with double and bunk bedrooms, wood burning stove and bathroom with bath and shower over.

Squirrels Drey (sleeps 5)
Thatched two storey mid terrace converted stone barn with double bedroom (en-suite toilet), single bedroom and bunk bedroom. Spacious bathroom with bath and shower over.

Barley Store (sleeps 5)
Thatched two storey mid terrace converted stone barn with double bedroom (en-suite toilet), single bedroom and bunk bedroom. Bathroom with bath and shower over.

The Hayloft (sleeps 7)
The largest cottage providing an end of terrace thatched two storey barn with kingsize bedroom, twin (with en-suite bathroom), single and bunk bedrooms. Newly fitted family bathroom with double sized walk-in shower.

OUTSIDE
Situated on the highest point of the site, the paddock offers panoramic views over the surrounding countryside. From the car park is a shared track which leads to the paddock with water and power. Currently guests can feed the alpacas, sheep and chickens and play games like badminton or try bowling on an outdoor skittle alley. There is a large timber shed providing additional storage.

GLAMPING
Planning permission was granted in April 2018 for a change of use of the agricultural land in the paddock to provide further accommodation.

TENURE & POSSESSION
The freehold interest is being offered with vacant possession on completion.

METHOD OF SALE
The property is offered for sale by private treaty, inclusive of trade inventory to include furnishings, equipment, fixtures and fittings within the holiday letting cottages and in relation to the business, excluding any personal items. The Shepherd's Hut and animals are not included within the sale but could be available by separate negotiation.

LISTING STATUS
Berehayes Farm is Grade II Listed.

DESIGNATIONS
Whitchurch Canonicorum is situated in the Heritage Coast and the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the edge of the Marshwood Vale Landscape Character Area.

SERVICES
Mains electricity and water is connected to the farmhouse and cottages.
Oil fired central heating in farmhouse.
Electric heaters in cottages.
Private sewerage.

EPC RATINGS
Berehayes Farm EPC rating: F.

LOCAL AUTHORITIES
Dorset Council
County Hall
Colliton Park
Dorchester
Dorset
DT1 1XJ



VIEWINGS
Strictly by appointment with agents Carter Jonas.

Marketed by: Carter Jonas Rural, Taunton