Lower Bockhampton, Dorchester

For Sale as a Going Concern, Yalbury Cottage is a long- established fine dining and guest house/boutique hotel nestled in the heart of the pretty village of Lower Bockhampton, two miles east of the County Town of Dorchester. The immediate area is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the original inspiration for the novels of Thomas Hardye who himself was born in the locality (Lower Bockhampton is called Mellstock in Under the Greenwood Tree).

The current proprietors have established an unrivalled reputation since taking the property over in 2007 and the business benefits from regular customers both local and further away. Locally sourced food, foraging and passion all combine into a very memorable visit and a yearning to return. This passion is perhaps best represented by the young staff all subsequently progressing their careers in Michelin starred restaurants throughout the world and even the odd Master Chef finalist. There is no finer accolade that Yalbury Cottage are doing things right than from the industry itself.

The original thatched cottages date back some 350 years ago and have been sympathetically modernised to form one building providing a public lounge and dining area in a characterful space with oak beams and inglenook fireplaces. There are modern kitchens in the cottage and a large more recent extension provides the requisite contemporary guest accommodation quietly located at the rear, away from the main function space. Owners/staff accommodation is situated on the first floor of the cottage.

There is customer parking, gardens, garaging and additional storage and the site overlooks the rolling countryside to the east.

The property is sold as a going concern including chattels and stock at value but excluding personal effects. Accounting information is available on request.

Outside
Customer parking, garaging, additional storage and gardens.

Council Tax Band: Owners Accommodation Band A
Business Rates: Rateable Value £33,250

Situation - Lower Bockhampton is situated 2 miles east of Dorchester and in walking distance of Kingston Maurward House and grounds. Thomas Hardye's birthplace cottage and gardens are close by at Higher Bockhampton (National Trust). There is excellent walking in the vicinity (Thorncombe Woods and Puddletown Forest). The coast and decent beaches are just a 10 minute drive away at Preston and Ringstead or a little further in Weymouth with its wide range of facilities.