Christie & Co bringing New Forest Collection of Bartley Lodge, Beaulieu Inn, Burley Manor and Forest Lodge to market

A collection of four high-profile New Forest boutique hotels is up for sale.

The New Forest Collection – comprising Bartley Lodge, Beaulieu Inn, Burley Manor and Forest Lodge – is now on the market for the first time in 40 years.

They are available freehold as a group, sub-group or individually, although no asking price has been revealed.

The sites have been listed with property agent Christie & Co, which said it was “proud” to bring the hotel collection to the open market.

A hotels spokesperson said the collection’s current owners wanted to retire and “pass them on to new custodians to further develop”.

The spokesperson added that the collection is still proving “extremely popular” with leisure guests, adding: “With the New Forest National Park now considered to be the go-to south coast seaside leisure destination, with outdoor activities including walking, cycling and access to the seaside resorts and pristine beaches in Christchurch, Bournemouth and Poole. With excellent connectivity to the national motorway network via the M27 and London via the M3, the hotels are easily accessible for both “staycation” tourists and corporate guests.

“Guests staying in one of the well-appointed and fully equipped hotels have exclusive access to the gardens and leisure facilities. The hotels also feature function/banqueting suites, making them hotspots for weddings and events alongside corporate business.”

New Forest Collection managing director Garry Baldwin said: “This is a great opportunity for a new owner to take on an excellent operation, with committed roots to our New Forest National Park, great assets and above all opportunity to continue further success with the current team’s expertise.

“Properties like these rarely come to market with our excellent location with exciting developments already in hand for planning consent. Great foundations have been laid in which we can thrive, the future is bright.”

Christie & Co’s regional director for hotels, Ed Bellfield, added: “The New Forest Hotel Collection has an established reputation, appealing to both leisure and corporate guests due to its location within the New Forest National Park and close to the regional centres of Southampton and Bournemouth.

“There is significant scope for an experienced owner/operator to invest in the hotels with existing planning consents providing value enhancement alongside benefitting from their exception unique and iconic locations.

“We expect the hotels to appeal to a wide range of buyers including those looking to purchase a single asset as well as those looking to expand their current portfolio. We also anticipate high levels of interest from both national and international investors attracted to the UK hotel market.”

In 2019, the A&T reported the New Forest Collection had posted six-figure losses for three years running.