Symonds Yat East Village, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, HR9 6JL

This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to acquire the freehold of several businesses that make up the leisure village of Symonds Yat East. Superbly located, the individual businesses include: The Royal Lodge Hotel, Wye Rapids House, The Saracens Head Inn, The Weir House, along with two pay and display car parks all within circa 7 acres along the banks of the River Wye.

The village has been in our clients’ ownership for the past circa 35 years which maintains an excellent reputation and is popular all year round with locals and tourists alike.

ROYAL LODGE HOTEL

This 26-bedroom hotel is immaculately presented.

It is situated in an elevated and private position overlooking the Wye Rapids and the valley beyond in stunning countryside. Located within a former royal hunting lodge in circa 4.1 acres of wooded gardens.

The hotel is a popular wedding and events venue and is licenced for ceremonies. There is a spacious on-site restaurant and good conferencing facilities (200).

An Outline application was granted in September 2024 for the demolition of the C20th extension and construction of a new larger extension comprising around 22 new ensuite rooms taking the total number of rooms to 40. Please note, the application (Ref: P231203/O at Herefordshire County Council).

Externally, there is an elevated and spacious lawned area which can hold outdoor wedding ceremonies and events with a purpose-built timber wedding pergola which provides glorious views down the river and beyond. Further external seating is provided below which also benefits from views of the river. The associated pay and display car park is run and owned by the hotel and provides further and lucrative income. Furthermore, The Royal Lodge is served by two 99kw pellet boilers with 10 years of RHI to claim back.

WYE RAPIDS HOUSE

Wye Rapids House is a delightful 12-bedroom property with a one-bedroom apartment adjacent to The Royal Lodge Hotel. Current use is ancillary to the hotel which offers further rooms but is also, and most commonly, used as a standalone large holiday let. Comprising 12 rooms, 11 with ensuite, along with a one-bedroom apartment. There is also a kitchen, scullery, dining room, games room and a bar/lounge.

Externally, the property sits within 1.19 acres and has spacious flat lawned areas, a terrace enjoying the view for alfresco dining, and drinking and ample car parking for a number of vehicles. Also within the grounds is the entrance to the old railway tunnel under Yat Rock. It’s a versatile property for an array of uses.

THE WEIR HOUSE

The Weir House, formerly referred to as 'Rose Cottage’, offers three-storey self-catering accommodation extending to 2,023 sq ft.

Finished to an incredibly high standard throughout, it offers modern finishes but is also in-keeping with its surroundings.

It is made up of four double bedrooms with two benefitting from ensuites and two other bathrooms catering for the other two rooms. A modern, spacious and bright open plan living/kitchen room on the ground floor along with a further cosier sitting room with double doors onto the front terrace. There is also a laundry room to service the property. Externally, there is a small garden/terrace to the rear and a covered private terrace to the front of the property which enjoys glorious views across the River Wye. Parking for the property is provided to the front.

Whilst only being open for a short period of time, The Weir House has already enjoyed stellar reviews and is starting to generate repeat bookings making it a lucrative business offering in an exceptional location.

THE SARACENS HEAD INN

The Saracens Head Inn is a beautiful offering beside the River Wye. Providing bed and breakfast accommodation with award-winning food, it is made up of an informal dining room, lounge area, a flagstone floor bar and a riverside terrace with both uncovered and covered seating. The Inn is well-presented with a plethora of charming period features including exposed timbers, inglenook fireplaces and flagstone floors to name a few.

The Inn provides nine lettings bedrooms which are all finished to a very high standard and offer ensuite facilities with some benefitting from fabulous views across the river. The Inn benefits from one staff apartment which consists of a bedroom, bathroom, sitting room and kitchen. These rooms are located within the main inn and the adjacent Boathouse Annex which was converted in 2007.

In addition to the main food offering, there is also a small outbuilding on the banks of the river selling ice cream and soft drinks. The Inn is able to accommodate circa 100 covers internally and 100 covers externally which provides plenty of opportunity for trading.
A toilet block and store is situated opposite the pub and has lapsed planning permission which the owner is in the process of renewing to add an additional floor which could provide further staff accommodation.

Furthermore, a pay and display car park, riverside moorings and a ferry service which crosses the River Wye from the pub are all owned and operated by The Saracens Head and provides yet further lucrative and welcome income.

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Symonds Yat East sits on the River Wye in the world-famous Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty along the Herefordshire/Gloucestershire borders. The area is extremely popular with tourists and leisure guests, with millions flocking to the area each year to enjoy the plethora of outdoor activities, pubs, hotels and restaurants on offer.

Symonds Yat East is perfectly located for exploring the local area. Ross-on-Wye is the closest town, offering a rich history, independent shopping, galleries and eateries. The larger cities of Hereford and Gloucester (with National Rail services to London Paddington) are nearby. The Regency spa town of Cheltenham is 50 minutes away and provides world class national racing, as well as numerous festivals throughout the year including poetry, jazz, food and literature. Also nearby and into Wales is Abergavenny; the gateway to the Brecon Beacons, it offers cultural history, markets, independent stores and eateries.

Bristol is the nearest international airport, however, both Cardiff City Airport and Birmingham City Airport are within 1.5 hours' drive. Regional air traffic is welcome at Gloucestershire Airport which is about 50 minutes away.

Fixtures & Fittings are included in the freehold sale. Those items that are personal to the current owners may be removed. Please contact the selling agent for further information.

As part of the package there are two pay and display car parks.

There is New Weir Car Park, circa 100 pay and display spaces, with minimal running costs and a new ANPR system.

The second car park is The Saracens Head Inn car park which is also a pay and display.

Externally, the collection of businesses sit within 6.74 acres and encompass four properties, grounds, gardens, terraces and pay and display car parks, as well as a section of the riverbank. It is the most beautiful and tranquil spot.

A real once-in-a-generation opportunity to own a highly profitable leisure village in one of the UK’s most picturesque AONB. Situated between the Royal Forest of Dean and the Wye Valley, Symonds Yat East is perfectly positioned for leisure and tourist travel all year round.

The current owners have had stewardship of the village for 35 years and have built an enviable reputation and highly profitable businesses in a unique setting that cannot be replicated. The village is set at the end of a no-through road.

There are multiple income streams on-site, from pay and display car parking to food and drink and hotel accommodation.

Whilst our clients have developed and added to the site, there is still huge potential. The two hotels could be combined and more rooms added to create a unique riverside spa hotel with unrivalled views. There is opportunity for riverside events on the many terraces, ferry rides, development of eco lodges and glamping pods, camping, as well as opening up the railway tunnel connecting the site for walkers and cyclists; the potential of the village is huge, all whilst being profitable immediately.

Trading information can be obtained from the selling agent.

The Royal Lodge Hotel – Freehold

Wye Rapids House – Freehold

The Weir House – Freehold

The Saracens Head Inn – Freehold