Tag: hospitality finance

VisitEngland announce the 2018 Awards for Excellence

Posted on by Carol Jones

Last week VisitEngland  announced the recipients of its annual awards for Excellence in the UK Tourism Industry.

For the 29th year running, pub landlords, boutique hotel owners, B & B operators and more gathered to find out who really set themselves apart in the experiences they offer their visitors

VisitEngland Chief Executive Sally Balcombe said: “These awards shine a spotlight on our fantastic tourism industry, with the winners showcasing the quality, innovation and excellence on offer throughout the country.

“From an outstanding boutique hotel in the Dales to a guided tour of York’s chocolate-making history, from pine holiday lodges on the sandy beaches of Cornwall to a quintessentially English country-pub in Hertfordshire, these winners provide outstanding and truly memorable visitor experiences.”

Kirstie Allsopp presented the glamour-filled VisitBritain Awards evening at Bath Assembly Rooms, announcing the winners for titles such as Afternoon Tea of the Year, Dog Friendly Business of the Year, Visitor Information Provider of the Year and 18 other awards.

The awards demonstrate how truly individualistic holiday experiences here in the UK can be. Hotel owners, B & B operators and landlords have the freedom and flexibility to offer highly unique, fun and fabulous options for their guests that can not only enhance their experiences of staying in the UK, but can also create really memorable experiences right on their own doorsteps.

The Tourism Superstar Competition winner was Jim Reilly, a customer services advisor with Red Funnel Ferries, who was presented with his award by Daily Mirror’s Travel Editor, Nigel Thompson.

If you have a fabulous idea to offer something a little bit different and stand out from the competition and make a name for yourself within UK Tourism, but need some investment to get started, speak to one of our hospitality finance experts on 01488 393040 to find out how hospitality finance can help you find the funds you need to set your hospitality business apart from the crowd.

 

Spotlight on the Lake District

Posted on by Carol Jones

The Lake District has always been a popular destination for holidaying in the UK.

With its miles of unadulterated hillsides and spectacular glistening lakes, it’s not hard to see the appeal.

However, it seems that as holidaying abroad becomes more and more expensive, more families head to the Lakes for a bit of R&R.

Here are a few of the great and varied places to stay in the Lake District, all of which have been helped on their road to success by expert hospitality finance advice from Stewart Hindley and Partners.

Wordsworths in Ambleside – 

If you are travelling to the Lake District to soak up the great outdoors then Ambleside, situated right in the middle of the National Park, is likely to be on your radar.

If a fabulously situated B&B in the heart of Ambleside is what you’re after, then Wordsworths is a hidden gem.

Wordsworths is a short walk to the popular Lake Windermere where you can catch a steamer or enjoy the spectacular views. If you’ve had enough of the great outdoors, then you can also head on over to The Salutation Hotel Health Club & Spa as guests receive a free pass.

Forest How in Eskdale Green – 

If you want wildlife at your door, then Forest How, just outside of Muncaster, is a good option. Whatever room you stay inn, you’ll be greeted by spectacular views across fields to the village of Eskdale Green and the fells beyond each morning. The 5 acres of land surrounding the Victorian property are frequently visited by roe deer, red squirrels and even barn owls.

If you want to challenge yourself, then Forest How is just a few miles from Wasdale and Scar Fell Pike and the steep Hardnott pass leading to Langdale.

The Elton Guest House in Grange-over-Sands – 

A great one for families and couples alike, is the Elton Guest House in the peaceful Victorian town of Grange-over-Sands. A limestone building from around 1840, the Elton is a beautiful place to spend a long weekend, or even a full week, as you visit the many sights in the area.

Being so close to Windermere, and a stone’s throw from The Grange Hotel, the Elton Guest House is perfectly placed for wedding guests as well as tourists.

Stewart Hindley are hospitality finance experts. With an extensive network of financiers, we can help B&B and Boutique hotel owners to find the hospitality finance they need to invest in their businesses.

How to use social media to boost your B&B bookings

Posted on by Carol Jones

You’d be forgiven for thinking social media has had its day. However, an active social media account can be a great way to showcase your business, reach out to a new market and demonstrate exactly what makes your B&B or Boutique hotel special.

Social media is an investment of time, so only use social media if you are committed to getting results. Don’t expect overnight miracles. Your first post won’t land you hundreds of bookings, but with a long-term and consistent approach you can expect:

  • An improved relationship with your own guests
  • Greater awareness of your B&B among potential customers
  • Increased referrals

Here are a few tips on how to use social media successfully to promote B&B businesses.

Focus your efforts

3 posts a week on one platform will be more effective than one post a week on three platforms. Ideally three times a week is the minimum you should be going for.

Identify what sort of people you are trying to target and where they spend their time. Are they Pinterest people or Facebook fanatics? Once you know where to find the customers you are targeting, you can then establish where to focus your efforts.

Think about your message

Maybe you want to promote the homeliness of your B&B, maybe the convenience? Perhaps you’re all about the wealth of things to explore on your doorstep, or the ease of access to major transport routes.

What’s the best way to showcase this? Links, photos, testimonials, your website? Shake it up a bit by using a variety of different types of content. On average, posts with images receive 230% more clicks than those without.

Don’t get caught up thinking your social media page is all about you

Experts say that your social media post should adhere to the ‘rule of 3’.

A third of your posts should promote your business. Think photos of fresh cakes, roaring fires, glowing testimonials. Another third of your posts should share useful content from other thought leaders in the industry. For example, you could link to one of our blogs like this one on Devon, or you could share a blog or news article from a local attraction that guests at your B&B or Boutique hotel might like to visit.

The final third of your content should be made up of personal interactions. Messages to guests who have visited or those about to arrive, guests who perhaps celebrated a special occasion with you the same time last year, or even guests planning trips to local attractions that might be looking for somewhere to stay.

Plan your content

The interactive side of your content needs to be done regularly, but by planning the content about your business, you’ll remove a lot of the strain and effort from social media posting. Maybe spend an hour at the start of each month to write out some posts and, if you’re feeling inclined, you can use a free posting service such as Hootsuite to schedule posts in advance. Just don’t forget to do the personal interaction too!

And, if the extra business this generates leaves you finding yourself needing to improve or refurbish your concern, you can always give the helpful team at Stewart Hindley & Partners a call on 0845 272 4000 to find out about how we can help you with your hospitality finance or B&B finance requirements.

5 Ways to help your B&B guests enjoy rainy day holidays in the UK

Posted on by Carol Jones

The British weather is one thing that can make or break your guests’ stay that you have no control over. However, if you can weatherproof their holiday, not only are you more likely to benefit from referrals, but you’re also more likely to be welcoming them back for return visits.

Weatherproofing your B&B experience also has the added bonus of extending your season, spreading demand throughout the year. But what can you do to weatherproof your guests’ stay?

1.      Ensure your B&B guests are equipped for bad weather

Whilst jokes are about UK holidays being the only holidays that require swimsuits, rain coats, shorts and woolly jumpers, packing limitations sometimes mean that’s just not possible.

Make sure your guests have the essentials to get out and about when it’s teeming down outside.

Chewton Glen provide a pair of wellies for guests wanting to take a stroll around the grounds in inclement weather, whilst many hotels and B&B’s have a selection of large golf umbrellas to keep guests dry.

2.      Keep the kids entertained when it’s rainy

There’s nothing worse than children getting bored and climbing the walls when you’re stuck indoors, but rainy days can be a great opportunity for families to bond and to discover new (or forgotten) pastimes.

Have a small library of children’s books, board games and card games that families can enjoy together, like Gwel an Mor in Cornwall. Depending on your guest demographic (and the space you have available), you may choose to set up a games room with a games console.

3.      Invest in indoor appeal for days when the great outdoors doesn’t appeal

By giving your guests opportunities to make the most of a rainy day, you can turn even the wettest of days into a fun memory. We can help you find hospitality finance solutions to make your spaces special and create features for your hotel or B&B that can really help to extend your busy season. Clydey Cottages in Wales had enough space to build an indoor pool and soft play area, so when the clouds roll in, their guests don’t have to turn in.

4.      Help your guests find rainy day alternatives

Even if you can’t create a rainy day appeal at your B&B or boutique hotel, you can still help your guests out. Keep a variety of leaflets available for guests that include things to do on rainy days. Aquariums, museums and local swimming pools can all be great ways to spend a few hours doing something you wouldn’t normally do at home, so help your guests find things they will enjoy.

5.      Make every moment memorable – even the soggy ones

There’s nothing better than returning from a cold, wet outdoors to a warm fire, a hot drink and cosy blankets to snuggle into.

Provide drying facilities for coats and boots. This will reduce the risk of water and mud from being traipsed through your rooms, and your guests will appreciate taking home dry clothes, rather than plastic bags full of damp, smelly clothing.

If you are looking for investment to extend the appeal of your B&B or hotel, and help guests to make the most of every day of their stay, speak to one of our hospitality finance experts on 01488 393040 to find out how hospitality finance can help you find the funds to invest to give year-round appeal to your B&B or boutique hotel business.

7 Ways to impress your B&B guests

Posted on by Carol Jones

These days finding a B&B is much easier than it ever used to be. Trip Advisor, Airbnb and HomeAway make finding a bed for the night a breeze.

Whilst this is great news for many B&B owners, it’s most definitely a double-edged sword as it also means that for potential guests looking for a room for the weekend, or even just a night, there’s lots more easily accessible options out there.

This means that standing out from the crowd and adding that extra warmth to your service is more important than ever. I’m not talking about an extra blanked at the back of the closet in their room I’m talking about that added personal touch that says ‘we’re really pleased you chose us’.

Here are 7 ways to deliver a personalised B & B experience

  1. Send a text

Isn’t it great not to have to scribble the address of where you are going on a piece of paper before keying it into the sat nav? Text your guests either on booking or the day before they are due to check in. Point out how you are looking forward to welcoming them to your B&B and send them your postcode or directions. It’ll also help them avoid any ‘lost in translation’ issues from addresses copied down incorrectly.

Using texts doesn’t have to stop there. Text them the address of any restaurants or takeaways they ask you for, and even invite them to check in or out by text too for some ultra-flexible checking in options.

  1. Make your photographs stand out

Invest in getting professional photographs taken. Most B&B guests put a large focus on the way that a property looks. A professional photographer will be able to use the right lenses and get the best angles to show your property in its best light, making it look oh so much better than all those amateur photos you’re competing with.

  1. Encourage reviews

Before visitors make their mind up on where they’ll stay, they almost always look at reviews.

Whether they look at the individual reviews or the overall rating given out of 5 stars, encouraging your visitors to leave positive reviews on your chosen site or sites, will mean you’ll be streets ahead when it comes to return bookings and new bookings. Many algorithms will prioritise those properties with positive reviews in searches too.

To encourage reviews you can incentivise your visitors with a free gift, entry into a draw to win a prize, or a discount on their next booking.

  1. Make their experience a personal one

Get to know your guests names and use them. Chat to them and find out about what they’ve been doing whilst in the area. Not only might you be able to offer useful information or additional suggestions, you’ll also pick up tips and advice that you can pass on to other guests to help make their stay memorable.

  1. Something to remember you by

Consider what brings your guests to the area and make it easy for them to take back a little souvenir. Partner with some local businesses to offer them some cheese from the region, maybe some biscuits or cakes that are typical of the area, or perhaps a book inspired by, or written about where you are based.  One of the best B&Bs I ever stayed in gave me a couple of biscuits and a bottle of water for my return journey – perfect.

  1. Make sightseeing life easy

Make picnic lunch options available – not only is it another way to upsell your guests, you’ll also be doing them a favour, saving them from having to hunt out overpriced (and often overcooked) tourist food, so they can spend more time making the most of the sites they’ve come to see.

  1. Nothing says welcome like a fresh pot of coffee

After a long journey, there’s nothing quite like a fresh coffee, so offer your guests a complimentary coffee and snack on arrival and help them to start unwinding right away.

Stewart Hindley are Finance brokers specialising in B&B finance and hospitality finance. With a comprehensive network of affiliates and partners, Stewart Hindley help provide the B&B Finance that owners are looking for to transform their B&B into something really special.

If you have high hopes for your B&B and need B&B finance to make it a reality, give us a call today and speak to one of our specialists in hospitality finance.

Ideas on how to encourage repeat business for your B&B

Posted on by Carol Jones

It is tempting to focus on attracting new guests to your B&B, but don’t forget the people who have already stayed with you.

Our team at UK hospitality finance experts, Stewart Hindley, spotted an article on www.bedandbreakfast.eu and have taken some of the points from the article which is full of practical tips for how B&B owners can encourage guests to return and, in turn, spread the word to others: (however we do understand that not all B&Bs can afford the upkeep of such marketing activities)

Exceed expectations

Exceed expectations by going that extra mile to demonstrate how you appreciate their custom, by offering delicious extensive breakfasts, small welcome gifts, and ensuring guests receive excellent service.

 Make their stay with you memorable by showing an interest in them

It’s worth spending a bit of time getting to know them, so when they re-book with you, it’s like ‘coming home’.  You could explain the personal touches around the place and perhaps a bit of its history.

Let guests know you are looking forward to their arrival

You can start building a relationship with your guests, for example, by sending an email a few days before their arrival for example. With a picture of your B&B, or a tip about what they can do in the area and that you are looking forward to their arrival.

Your B&B will then start to become real to your guests in advance.

Maintain contact with guests after their stay

Customer loyalty can be encouraged with regular, personal communication Keeping them posted with any events coming up in your area which could tempt them to return and any special offers you may be running.

 Let yourself be heard through social media

Social media platforms are the perfect way to retain close ties with your guests in a casual way. You could post new images and videos of your B&B on Facebook for example – The first al fresco breakfast after winter, your cat/dog, a cup of lovely coffee to start the day with, your B&B in the snow.

Personal messages – as well as ‘corporate’ ones are good. Every now and then you can post a promotion, such as an offer, but don’t let this be the majority of posts on social media.  In this way, guests will keep seeing nice messages about your B&B popping up on their timeline and ‘front of mind’ next time they look for a place to stay., you stay in the back of their minds, and they keep getting to know you better.  You can send your regular clients exclusive news and discounts through Facebook.  Don’t forget to ask your guests to ‘like’ your Facebook or Instagram pages.

Treat your regular guests as VIPs.

Your past customers like to feel appreciated and what better way than giving them a special or discount offer which is just for them.

Give your regulars extra attention on social media as well, for example by starting a conversation with them, or after a renovation or when you’ve expanded your service. You could send them an invitation to come and see the results and sleep in a new room. Your guests will feel special and highly appreciated and will want to revisit your B&B.

Need a helping hand?

If you are looking to start or grow your bed and breakfast or hotel business, the chances are that, at some point, you will be seeking out B&B finance.

At Stewart Hindley and Partners, we are in an ideal position to help you as we understand the hospitality business through and through.  We are long-established specialists in securing hospitality finance. Our experienced team will be able to offer you friendly and informative advice to help you build and improve your business.

Browse our site for case histories and more information about the process involved, or call us now to speak to our team of experts.

Spotlight on Devon and Cornwall

Posted on by Carol Jones

Devon and Cornwall remain some of the most popular holiday destinations in the UK, offering some of the best coastline, countryside and varied towns and cities in the country.

Here we highlight below some great and varied places to stay in the region, all of which also just happen to have benefited from the expert advice of our specialist hospitality finance advice team at Stewart Hindley and Partners to put them on the road to success.

Devon

  • Torquay – famous for being the largest town on the “English Riviera” and a popular choice for thousands of visitors to Devon.

Blenheim House B&B in Torquay has everything proprietors Lee and Elaine Ratcliffe were looking for – a good location close to the seafront and train station and accommodation which had  just been recently refurbished (so wouldn’t need a lot of money spending on it) and a manageable 5 guest rooms.

From the start of their search they were in touch with us at Stewart Hindley & Partners and we were able to provide them with a judgement on whether their B&B finance application would be successful or not.  It was a pleasure to work with Lee & Elaine and to see their hopes and dreams come to fruition, they are now welcoming guests and starting to build the trade to its max. https://www.blenheimhousetorquay.co.uk/

  • Exeter – The Exeter Townhouse is a lovely boutique B&B is set in a quiet corner of Exeter city centre yet just a few minutes stroll from the Cathedral, the Royal Albert Memorial Museum, the Quayside, shopping centres, restaurants, university and train stations.

The Grade II Listed property has been brought up to date with period and contemporary features offering 9 stylishly decorated rooms.  They were awarded a Certificate of Excellence by Trip Advisor in 2016 and 2017 and a 5 star rating from the Food Standards Agency – the highest possible food hygiene rating in the UK.

Guesthouse finance for The Exeter Townhouse was secured through us at Stewart Hindley & Partners. http://www.townhouseexeter.co.uk/

Cornwall

  • Bude – Wyvern House Bed and Breakfast is located in the popular Cornish town of Bude and

is just a few minutes walk from the beach and town centre.  The property has 6 en-suite bedrooms and spread over 3 floors and has proved an ideal location for our clients, Paula & James, to set up their new bed and breakfast.

Paula & James had owned and operated a bed and breakfast business so had plenty of experience on which to build their new venture in Bude.  Having found their perfect property they soon realised the benefits of using a specialist finance broker to source the necessary funds to purchase it.  Having contacted us at Stewart Hindley & Partners we worked with them to secure the best B&B finance deal available to them and took them step by step through each stage.

Paula and James are now welcoming guests to Wyvern House and enjoying life in Cornwall. More info at https://www.wyvernhouse.co.uk/

  • Looe

Penvith Barns has a 4 star rating on Trip Advisor, offering beautiful accommodation just outside Looe with access to lovely walks including the South West Coastal Path to Looe and Seaton Beach.  Guests can come and as they please and relax in the tranquil surroundings with views over superb countryside.  It’s also close to some of Cornwall’s best beaches and makes a great base for exploring Cornwall’s Attractions.

We are proud to have offered the B&B finance to put Penvith Barns on the map.

http://www.penvithbarns.co.uk/

f you are looking to start up, or purchase an existing hospitality business, wherever that may be, then why not contact our friendly team of specialist advisors now for advice and information on the best hospitality finance packages available today.

12 key things you need to consider before starting your holiday lettings business

Posted on by Carol Jones

The market for UK holiday lets is booming so, if you own additional properties to your home you may well be tempted to go into the holiday lettings business.  Or, perhaps you are looking to buy a property for holiday letting.

As hospitality finance experts, we receive many enquires and have helped a significant number of people to start holiday lettings businesses. Based on our experience, we have come up with a few key things you should consider:

  1. Is the property in a good location? Are you going for a rural retreat cottage offering or a seaside or city location?
  2. How will you furnish the property and have you set a budget aside for this? It has become a very competitive market in recent years and those renting holiday cottages are becoming more discerning so it is best to equip and furnish your cottage to the highest standards.
  3. Can you make broadband available? Again this is increasingly the expectation these days.
  4. Are you going to allow pets or not? Many people specifically choose a self-catering holiday in the UK so that they can take the dogs too.  To maximise your market it is best to allow pets and some people charge extra and/or a deposit to cover increased cleaning and potential damage.
  5. Are you in a position to invest time in gaining accreditations from local tourist boards, green organisations (if applicable) and encouraging online reviews like Trip Advisor?
  6. Who is going to do the cleaning? Hygiene and cleanliness are all important.
  7. Similarly, who would be the emergency contact for guests?
  8. How much are you going to charge? The best way to decide where to pitch your pricing is to look at similar-sized properties in your area and use that as a guide.
  9. Are you aware of the safety rules and regulations covering upholstered furniture and gas and electrical appliances?
  10. Have you factored in insurance? Holiday lettings owners will need public liability insurance as well as building and contents insurance. There are specialist policies available for self-catering properties and insurance brokers can be a real help here.
  11. Do your business plans factor in the fact that tax will be due on profits from holiday lettings and that Council tax for your holiday cottage only applies if it’s just your second home and not rented out commercially. If you make it available for holiday lets for 20 weeks (140 days) or more, then it should be registered for business rates rather than council tax. Small business rate relief and Furnished Holiday Letting (FHL) tax relief may be applicable.
  12. Who is going to the market your property for holiday rental? Are you set up to respond quickly to enquiries and bookings and take deposits and payments?  Or, are you going to employ an agent to do that for you?

Do you need hospitality finance to build your holiday lettings business?

If you need a mortgage for a holiday letting property, you will need a commercial mortgage and our team at Stewart Hindley are in the ideal position to advise you.

If a lender realises that you are trading on a residential mortgage they can call in the loan due to breach of covenant.  Trading on a residential mortgage can have serious consequences.  You could be forced to re-mortgage and in some cases, if your trade income is not enough to cover the amount of debt involved, this may not be possible. The worst case scenario may be that you lose your home.

We strongly recommend that you don’t wait until it’s too late. Contact us now for friendly and professional advice based on many years of experience in the hospitality finance sector.

Spotlight on Wales

Posted on by Carol Jones

Wales is a particularly good location to run a hospitality business, according to official tourism statistics* which showed a rise in occupancy figures across all accommodation types this Summer.

Wales – an increasingly popular hospitality business choice

The figures revealed significant growth in the number of people using hotels, hostels, guest houses, bed and breakfasts, and self-catering units between July 2016 and June 2017:

  • At 68% the occupancy rate for hotels rooms was the highest of all, increasing one percentage point when compared with the previous 12 months.
  • Guest houses and Bed and Breakfast occupancy rates stood at 40%, a 2 percentage point increase over the same period.
  • Self-catering units increased by 4 percentage points to 56%, and hostel bed space increased by 3 percentage points to 52%.

Economy and Infrastructure Secretary, Ken Skates commented :  “In what is an extremely competitive market place, these latest occupancy statistics show a strong picture for tourism in Wales and continue to reflect the success we have experienced over the last two years.

“We will continue with our campaign work to promote Wales to both domestic and foreign markets to ensure that we make the most of the opportunities to attract overseas visitors and those looking to holiday at home due to the weak pound.”

Hospitality finance for Wales

As specialist hospitality finance experts, we have helped a number of proprietors to take advantage of these trends and establish guest houses in Wales over the last couple of years, including:

Chris and Sandra decided that they wanted to run their own bed and breakfast business and set about looking for a suitable business to buy.  After looking at several properties they eventually came upon Tir-y-Coed in North Wales.

Tir-y-Coed Country House is a beautiful former gentleman’s residence built in the late Victorian era.  The property is located in the village of Rowen inside the very popular Snowdonia National Park.  The property nestles in over an acre of beautiful, mature landscape gardens and provides a peaceful 5* experience for its guests.

The bed and breakfast has 6 en-suite bedrooms all furnished and decorated to a high standard.  The rooms are spacious and light and situated on the first floor.  On the ground floor there is a modern garden room, bar and balcony all enjoying a South facing aspect overlooking the grounds.  Tir-y-Coed is one of the finest country houses in the area, with an established trade, offering guests free WiFi, a fully licensed bar and restaurant.

Our client Kate found a beautiful bed and breakfast in Mid/North Wales located just outside the popular holiday destination of Barmouth and situated right next to the beach.

Morwendon House had been a bed and breakfast for a number of years and the owners had decided it was time to retire, providing the perfect opportunity for Kate to purchase a going concern but one which she could also put her own stamp on and develop the trade going forward.

Kate had never run a bed and breakfast before and sensibly invested in attending a B&B course to learn the ropes.  She also sought the advice of our specialist hospitality finance team at Stewart Hindley & Partners. Although it wasn’t all plain sailing, we were able to negotiate on her behalf with the lender, valuer and vendors and eventually secure a hospitality loan agreement acceptable to all parties so that the purchase could move forward.

Lee Scott found his perfect property in Llandudno, close to the Great Orme Railway and town centre. The business had been trading but, in the past year or so, the owners retired and ceased trading the concern. They did, however, leave the guest house in a state where it could be traded almost straight away bar a few immediate updates.

However, the lack of recent business accounts meant that the hospitality loan application would be mainly premised on projections, which is always a more challenging position from which to apply for a hospitality loan. The fact that the property was located in such a popular holiday destination helped and, with Stewart Hindley & Partners’ experience, we were able to make a successful application on Lee’s behalf.  We supported Lee with his bank meeting and commercial valuation arrangements and made sure he was kept up to date on progress throughout the purchase.

Lee took possession of The Capri Guest House (May 2017) where a warm, friendly welcome awaits those looking for a seaside holiday in North Wales.

If you are looking to start up, or purchase an existing hospitality business, wherever that may be, then why not contact our friendly team of specialist advisors now for advice and information on the best hospitality finance packages available today.

 

*Source: http://gov.wales/newsroom/culture-tourism-sport/2017/170831-overnight-visitor-figures-show-continued-growth-for-welsh-tourism-sector/?lang=en

 

The UK’s Top 5 filmset location places to stay

Posted on by Carol Jones

Is your guesthouse, hotel or self catering accommodation located in a region famous for being the scene of films or television dramas?

Many UK holidaymakers love to see these places in the flesh and it’s even more of a bonus if they can stay in a property which featured on the film sets. Here is The National Trust’s Top 5 filmset cottages:

  1. POLDARK

Lacombe Cottage, Port Isaac

A former fisherman’s cottage with bags of Cornish charm and just a few paces to Port Quin’s beach, Lacombe was used as Captain Blamey’s house in the most recent TV series of Poldark.  Its low ceilings, original open beams and a solid-fuel stove all add to the charm and character of this exceptionally pretty former fisherman’s cottage.

  1. HARRY POTTER

The High Street, Lacock

A number of magical scenes from the Harry Potter series were filmed in Lacock Abbey and Village in Wiltshire, including parts of The Philosopher’s Stone (2001), The Chamber of Secrets (2002) and The Half Blood Prince (2009).  National Trust holiday guests can stay in their Lacock timber-frame cottage, 2 High Street, which was also used to house Judi Dench and Imelda Staunton for the filming of costume drama Cranford.

  1. SWALLOWS & AMAZONS

Rose Castle Cottage, Coniston

This cute stone cottage initially inspired Arthur Ransome when writing Swallows and Amazons and provided the backdrop for the lake scenes. It’s a two-bedroom cottage which will leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside with its pretty 19th-century charm and cosy interiors. The two-bedroom stone cottage sits alone in the landscape just above beauty spot Tarn Hows, with no neighbours in sight.

Free of modern technology and carefully restored to retain its original character, it’s the perfect retreat to escape the trappings of modern day life. It’s the simplest things, like warming against the log-burner after a long day hiking, or waking up to views of green fields and mountains that make this cottage so special.

  1. GAME OF THRONES

The Potters Cottage, Strangford, Downpatrick, County Down

Go behind the scenes of Game of Thrones and step into a medieval fantasy when you stay in this two-bedroom stone cottage. It sits on the historic farmyard of Castle Ward, which provided the backdrop for Winterfell in the first series.

Key scenes from the drama will unfold right from your doorstep; from the Whispering Wood to the clock tower just next to the cottage. There’s even a replica of the Winterfell Archery Range in the courtyard.

Escape the world of dragons and battling kingdoms when you close the front door of this cosy little nook

  1. JANE EYRE

White Edge Lodge, Near Sheffield

White Edge Lodge in Derbyshire made a star turn in the 2011 adaptation of Jane Eyre with Michael Fassbender and Jamie Bell. The lodge featured as the home of the Rivers family who take in a troubled Jane after she flees from Mr Rochester.

Standing alone on a vast expanse of heather moorland with all-encompassing views of the Peak District, White Edge Lodge is sure to excite. Formerly a gamekeeper’s cottage, much of its original features remain inside, such as exposed brick walls, wooden beams and most intriguing of all, the former game cellar, which now hosts the kitchen. Its highlight though, is most definitely the upstairs roll-top bath which looks out over 20-miles of stunning views.

What is your ideal hotel location?

If you are considering starting up self catering cottages, a bed and breakfast or a hotel you will no doubt be comparing a number of possible property locations and identifying their unique attractions, as part of a business plan.

Our experienced team can offer you friendly and informative advice to help you start up or build and improve your business.

Stewart Hindley Partners have many years of experience in the hospitality sector and can offer specialist finance including bed and breakfast funding and hotel mortgages.

Browse our site for case histories and more information about the process involved in securing hospitality finance or call us now to speak to our team of experts.

Source: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/film-set-cottages

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