South Molton, Devon, EX36

Trelawn Boarding Kennels offers a rare combination of a spacious family home, beautifully landscaped grounds, a versatile detached annexe and an established, award-winning boarding kennels business. Set within approximately two acres and surrounded by open countryside, it provides an appealing lifestyle opportunity for buyers seeking a well-presented residence with income potential, multi-generational accommodation or space to work from home. The grounds, facilities and layout make it ideal for those looking to enjoy a peaceful setting while running a successful, fully operational kennels business.

The main residence comprises a detached chalet bungalow offering generous and flexible accommodation. An L-shaped entrance hallway leads to two comfortable reception rooms, including a welcoming front lounge with a bay window, fireplace and wood-burning stove, and a spacious rear lounge with a bespoke stove, bi-fold doors to the garden and access to the dining room. The ground floor further includes a fitted kitchen with oak worktops, a double Belfast sink and a central island, which opens into a large dining area with matching slate flooring. There is also a useful study area, a fully fitted utility room and a guest shower room/WC. Two well-proportioned bedrooms can be found on this level, each enjoying pleasant natural light.

The first floor is dedicated to a generous principal bedroom with two windows overlooking the grounds. This bedroom benefits from an L-shaped dressing area and a luxurious en-suite bathroom complete with a roll-top bath, separate shower, wash hand basin and WC.

The property stands within approximately two acres of land, approached by a gravelled driveway. To the rear, the bungalow enjoys private gardens with a substantial decked terrace featuring glass-panelled balustrading and a hot tub. Beyond the decking is a lawned garden with a pond and open views across surrounding fields where wildlife is frequently seen. A covered car port with timber doors provides storage for logs. Heating is supplied by oil-fired central heating.

A detached one-bedroom annexe, fully self-contained and offering open-plan living with a fitted kitchen, a double bedroom with built-in wardrobe and an en-suite bathroom, provides excellent versatility. It has previously been used as a holiday let, staff accommodation and independent living space, offering further income potential or additional family use.

The property also includes established, award-winning boarding kennel facilities, long operated by a husband-and-wife team and now offered for sale due to retirement.

A gravelled driveway leads to the main reception block, an open-fronted building housing seven secure kennels and a covered area for meeting dog owners, as well as an adjoining dog grooming room. A large detached garage with electric roller doors sits nearby and includes an adjoining isolation kennel with large run. To the north is a secure dog exercise enclosure, and beyond this lie two substantial rows of kennels providing a further twenty-two units. Between these blocks are a kennel kitchen, laundry facilities and staff amenities. A dedicated exercise paddock completes the professional setup, along with covered enclosed pens and walkways.

Altogether, this is an outstanding opportunity to acquire a well-presented home with extensive grounds, flexible accommodation and a thriving licensed boarding kennels business all set within a peaceful and picturesque rural environment.

Annual turnover as of March 2025 was £118,759, with further financial details available to genuinely interested parties following inspection and subject to the vendor’s approval.

SELLERS INSIGHT
Just over 10 years ago, in 2015, we decided, in our mid 50s, to begin a new lifestyle. Sally left a very rewarding, but, sadly, increasingly stressful career in teaching, and George intended to put down his carpentry and building tools. More on that later! Both loving dogs, [having owned a variety of breeds between us] and being quite sociable people, we thought: Let’s look for a Dog Boarding business or a Bed and Breakfast! Guess which won and was, in hindsight, the best choice all round for us.
So, in July 2015, we moved to North Devon, not knowing a soul, to be greeted by the happily wagging tales of 40+ dogs at Trelawn and have never looked back. The journey has certainly been a learning curve, especially for Sally who hadn’t a clue about running a busy business! We have had many highs, and the occasional low, understandably, as with any job. The impact of Covid and losing the business overnight was certainly a huge challenge for us both, but we tightened our business belt, stayed positive and the dogs gradually came running back, both old and new. We count ourselves very lucky to have survived this dreadful ordeal as many kennels did not. We believe this is testament to our wonderful clients and our excellent reputation. We made the final three UK Kennels in 2022, on the prestigious DogFriendly website, and were presented with our certificate during a ceremony at the Kennel Club HQ in London.
We have both worked hard to make both dogs and their owners feel welcome here and are very proud of 2025 Trelawn. It has changed considerably from the place we bought in 2015. The business now runs like clockwork. It is primarily based online with emails, texts and WhatsApp messages forming the bulk of enquiries and Sally aims to respond the same day. Most dogs are booked in within a matter of minutes and deposits paid vis BACS. George has had to pick up his tools again many a time to do maintenance and new building projects, including a kennel kitchen with staff facilities, a large garage with an isolation kennel attached, and a stunning second lounge on the rear of the house.
Every dog’s needs are carefully assessed and catered for. We have worked with the local councils, the Police, Social Services and Charities. No dog that needed our care, whatever the circumstances, has ever been turned away.
Trelawn has been a huge part of our life for over a decade. When we get chance, we make the most of this stunning part of England. Beautiful sandy beaches are only 40 minutes away and have been much loved by our growing family year after year. Yes, we will be very sad to leave. Trelawn has been our home for a long time, but retirement now beckons. Our large, appreciative and friendly client base will, we know, welcome the new owners warmly and we are also very happy to pass on the wealth of knowledge that we have amassed.

"These comments are the personal views of the current owner and are included as an insight into life at the property. They have not been independently verified, should not be relied on without verification and do not necessarily reflect the views of the agent."
From Barnstaple take the North Devon Link Road for 14 miles past South Molton, after the roundabout continue along passing the Merco petrol station on your left. Take the next left towards Mornacott and immediately on the left hand side is the signpost for Trelawn Boarding Kennels.