Stoke Rochford Hall, a Grade I listed Jacobean manor house hotel a little over an hour by train from London, has hit the market for offers in excess of £5m for the long-leasehold interest.
The specialist hotels team at commercial real estate firm Colliers and Enterprise Hotels and Hospitality are jointly marketing the 113-bedroom hotel which sits in 28.8 acres of rural countryside and also includes an unused conference suite for 300 delegates, as well as a former 135-bed halls of residence with integrated leisure centre.
Although steeped in history the venue, and property complex are in need of updating and modernisation, and the opportunity has been priced to reflect this.
Originally designed by architect William Burn for the Turnor family, Stoke Rochford Hall dates back to 1843. The family lived in the home until the mid-20th century and during the Second World War it was occupied by the War Office. In 1948 it was purchased by Kesteven County Council and became a teacher training college before changing to a conference centre for the National Union of Teachers in 1978.
Following a fire in 2005 much of the house was destroyed, apart from the north wing. In 2007, English Heritage commissioned a comprehensive restoration programme of the building which cost circa £12m, sympathetically rebuilding the manor to its former glory and restoring its period features. It reopened in 2008 following the completion of the works as a hotel.
Josh Sullivan from Colliers’ hotels team is disposing of the hotel and surrounding grounds on behalf of Talash Hotels. He said: “Stoke Rochford Hall is one of the most esteemed country house hotels in the East Midlands. Although it currently needs some work, the architectural and historical significance of this asset is utterly mesmerising and the grounds which surround it are equally as spectacular.
“With many underused buildings on site we expect to receive a strong level of interest for this opportunity, as it is seldom a property of this stature to come up for sale. It is a privilege to be instructed by Talash Hotels to find the next custodian of this stunning local landmark.”
Located five miles south of Grantham and 30 miles from Nottingham, Loughborough, Leicester, Peterborough, and Lincoln, Stoke Rochford Hall is just over an hour away from London’s King Cross, and on the East Coast main line which also connects to Newcastle and Edinburgh.
The 28.8 acre grounds also includes an obelisk curated by the Turnor family to commemorate Sir Isaac Newton who was born in nearby Woolsthorpe Manor, as well as landscaped gardens, manicured lawns, woodland space and part of the Cringle Brook. Nearby visitor attractions include the National Trust’s Belton House as well as the historic Belvoir Castle.
Gavin Wright from Enterprise Hotels and Hospitality, added: “This stunning hotel provides investors with the unique opportunity to acquire a substantial property with several identified asset management opportunities.
“It would be ideal for an established operator to come in and add this unique hotel to their existing portfolio, placing their own stamp on the estate while still respecting its history and heritage. I’m sure that Stoke Rochford Hall will remain part of the fabric of the Lincolnshire community and celebrate local events for years to come.”