Country house hotel on North Yorkshire coast looking for a new owner
The historic Dunsley Hall Country House Hotel, situated in the hamlet of Dunsley on the North Yorkshire Heritage Coast near Whitby, has come to the market through specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co.
Originally built in 1900 by Frederick Haigh Pyman, a renowned and prominent ship builder whose portrait now hangs in the National Portrait Gallery in London, this Victorian property has a rich history. Created as a country retreat for the Pyman family, it retained its maritime heritage under the family’s ownership until 1949, when the residential estate was split and subsequently Dunsley Hall was converted into a country house hotel in 1995.
Still retaining many of its period features to this day, including the original hand-crafted oak panelling, Inglenook fireplace and stained glass windows, the hotel has been refurbished by the current owner, both internally and externally, to bring it up to a high modern standard.
Comprising 27 bedrooms, an 80 cover contemporary restaurant, oak panelled bar, library/lounge, and an impressive private dining room, Dunsley Hall provides an ideal venue for corporate events and special family occasions, as well as hosting regular shooting parties.
Set on four acres of land, including lawned and landscaped gardens and extensive car parking, the site occupies an elevated position overlooking Sandsend and surrounded by a variety of charming, coastal towns and villages including Whitby, Lythe and Runswick Bay. Dunsley Hall is ideally located to explore the scenic beauty of the North Yorkshire coast, and is situated in the North York Moors National Park, which is highly popular with tourists.
Purchased in 2014 the hotel has undergone significant investment and renovation over the last four years. Currently operated by an experienced management team, Dunsley Hall has built up a strong reputation and thriving trade, with an average 90% occupancy and excellent ratings on hotel booking sites including Booking.com and TripAdvisor.
Dunsley Hall is now for sale in order for the current owner, who had never run a hotel previously, to focus on other business interests. The hotel business has been built on great service, great food, and luxurious surroundings, with good food the cornerstone of the hotel. The chef brigades’ claim to fame is that they are the youngest professionally trained team in the country and the whole team at Dunsley have worked hard to build the hotel’s reputation and drive the outstanding profits it currently makes. In the hands of an experienced hotelier, the venue has the potential to grow further.
Mark Worley, Director at Christie & Co who is handling the sale, comments, “This historic, substantial and stunning hotel provides a unique opportunity for an experienced operator to acquire a thriving business in a prime location and to capitalise on the significant investments already made, Dunsley Hall presents even more scope to grow via the introduction of weddings, afternoon teas, Christmas parties, spa or pool facilities, plus the addition of further accommodation on the grounds.”
Christie & Co is marketing the freehold interest of Dunsley Hall Country House Hotel at an asking price of £2,500,000.
