Garden

South Hill
Bryher
Isles of Scilly
TR23 0PR

An island home combining an enviable lifestyle with an income.

Traditional cottage style home, imaginatively developed, together with three attractive, popular and profitable self-catering holiday properties.

Owner's home and two of the holiday properties set in a beautiful mature sub-tropical garden designed and laid out by the current owner.

Third holiday property close to beach with stunning views towards Tresco.

Loyal repeat custom.

Potential for development


SITUATION

South Hill offers the opportunity of living on one of the beautiful Isles of Scilly while at the same time generating an income – a lifestyle that people frequently dream of but which can only rarely be realised. Situated on Bryher, the smallest inhabited island in the Scilly archipelago, the extensive premises comprise an attractively modernised and expanded cottage property currently used as the owner's accommodation, an adjoining self-catering cottage, and a further detached self-catering unit, all set in grounds of ¾ acre of mature sheltered garden and about 150m from a sandy beach. A further detached self-catering property that enjoys magnificent views to Tresco is situated less than 200m from South Hill. There are additional outbuildings for storage and casual accommodation.

The Isles of Scilly are situated approximately 28 miles south-west of Land's End and consist of five inhabited islands. St Mary's, the largest, has a total resident population of about 1700, and Tresco, St Martin's, St Agnes and Bryher raise the total to over 2200. Surrounding the inhabited islands are a number of uninhabited islands and hundreds of islets and rocks, creating a wild and ever changing seascape. The mild climate in the islands varies little throughout the year due to the influence of the Gulf Stream, with only a 9°C variation between the coldest and the hottest months. This allows Scilly to enjoy a 32 week holiday season, nearly double that of anywhere on the South West mainland. The islands also attract out of season visitors such as birdwatchers.

The wealth of the islands is generated mainly from tourism, and additionally from the flower and bulb farms which historically made Scilly famous. The main access to the islands during the tourist season is by the passenger ship the Scillonian III from Penzance, the passage taking 2¾ hours. A year round helicopter service has flights from Penzance to St Mary's and Tresco, and fixed wing aircraft operate from Land's End and Newquay airports to St Mary's, with flights from Land's End and Penzance taking about 20 minutes. During the main holiday season there are additional routes from Exeter, Bristol, and Southampton. Bryher is about a 20 minute boat trip from St Mary's, and 5 minutes from Tresco. As well as the airport, St Mary's has excellent educational, health, hospital, and recreational facilities, including a golf course and a swimming pool. Tourists, mainly from the concentration of accommodation on St Mary's, arrive daily on Bryher by a number of launches that serve the smaller islands. A
super-fast broadband service is available throughout the islands.

Of the many people who know and love the islands, Bryher is often the most favoured. It has an unspoilt, close to nature atmosphere, and is often promoted to tourists by inviting them to explore “the difference of Bryher”. It is probably the quietest yet most contrasting of all the islands. As might be expected, there is a strong community spirit amongst the islanders, manifest in the modern Community Centre and Multi Use Games Area enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. Along the eastern side of the island runs a sheltered channel which offers safe mooring for pleasure boats. Shipman Head, at the north of the island, overlooks Hell Bay which, if seen in the force of an Atlantic gale, is a dramatic sight. In contrast to the ruggedness of Hell Bay the southern end of the island, where South Hill is situated, has a gem of a beach known as Rushy Bay, which looks towards the famous uninhabited island of Samson. The location for many films and documentaries, Samson was also made notable by Harold Wilson when he was Prime Minister as his “favourite place”.

The quays on Bryher are on the sheltered eastern side of the island. Bryher has a modern well stocked shop and post office, and shopping boats run frequently to St Mary's for items that cannot be obtained on Bryher. The island supports a number of other businesses, including a renowned hotel with bar and dining facilities, a pub and restaurant, a café, a number of guest houses, self-catering accommodation units, farms, a camp site, and two boatyards with storage, repair and hire facilities. Regular weekly church services are held at All Saints church. Bryher also has its own extensive year round boat service offering ready access to the other islands.


THE ACCOMMODATION

SETTING South Hill, Firmans and Victory stand in a beautiful sheltered garden of approximately ¾ acre which includes a respected collection of mature shrubs, trees, palms, agapanthus, echiums flame trees etc. Designed and set out by the present owner, the garden is large enough for the self-catering units to each enjoy their own seclusion Also within the grounds is a small garden house with casual accommodation facilities.

SOUTH HILL
An attractively modernised and expanded cottage property, currently used as the owner's accommodation. Primarily of local granite construction under a pitched tiled roof, the house also features a more recent garden room extension and conservatory.



On the Ground Floor

Large Entrance Porch 2.5M X 1.85M. Leading into:-

Reception Room 3.92m x 3.7m. With beamed ceiling, wood strip flooring, part natural stone and part wood panelled walls, oil fired Aga, range of cupboards and window overlooking the front garden.

Study 3.7m x 3.2m. With beamed ceiling, wood floor, and window to front garden.

Bathroom With panelled bath, wash basin, w.c. and shower.

Kitchen / Diner 6.15m X 2.8m. Spacious room with pine strip ceiling, wood strip floor, full range of fitted wall and base units, stainless steel sink unit, electric hob and built-in combination oven.

Conservatory 4.6m X 4.5m. Also used as dining area. Stone tiled floor with stable door to garden.

The Garden Room 4.75m x 4.6m. Used as a lounge, this lovely room has a high vaulted ceiling with dual aspect over the gardens and a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere.

On the First Floor

Bedroom 1 3.8m x 3.3m. Double bedroom

Bedroom 2 2.8m X 2.4m. Single bedroom with dressing room off, 2.8m x 1.2m.

FIRMANS
Attached to South Hill, and of similar construction and appearance, Firmans is used as self-catering holiday accommodation sleeping up to 4 people. However a connecting passage, closed off at present, means it could be merged with South Hill if wished.

On the Ground Floor

Main Dining Room / Kitchen 4.6m x 4m. With beamed ceiling, wood strip floor, full range of fitted kitchen and base units and open-plan stairs to first floor.

Garden Room Lounge 5.3M X 2.8M. A light and attractive sun room with access to the rear garden.

Shower Room With wash basin and w.c.

On the First Floor Large double bedded room with high ceiling and window overlooking the front garden.


VICTORY
A spacious detached building standing in a secluded position in the southern part of the garden, currently used as self-catering accommodation with accommodation for up to five people. The building is single storey with a pitched roof clad with composite slates. Victory has its own access direct from the island's main footpath, or alternatively it can be reached through the South Hill garden.

On the Ground Floor


Spacious Main Entrance Lobby 2.5m x 1.5m.

Lounge / Dining Room 4.76m x 4m. Panelled wood ceiling and full range of comfortable furnishings, with views into the garden and Samson Hill beyond.

Kitchen 4.76m x 2.5m. With full range of modern fitted kitchen units.

Shower Room With w.c.

Bedroom 1 4.6m x 2.7m. Double bedroom

Bedroom 2 3.6m x 2.7m. Twin bedroom

Bedroom 3 2.05m x 1.87m. Single bedroom


OUTBUILDINGS
Within the gardens of South Hill, in a secluded corner behind fencing, is an old GARDEN HOUSE which provides casual living accommodation. It comprises a fully fitted kitchen/dining area, a shower room with wash basin and w.c., and a living room/double size bedroom. A private patio sits within the fencing.

There are two wooden garden sheds.


THE BOATHOUSE AND BOAT SHED

Situated some 180m from the main property on a plot approximately 25m x 20m, adjacent to the beach at Green Bay, The Boathouse is a detached stone building under a pitched roof clad with composite slates. It offers self-catering holiday accommodation for two people. The Boathouse has been designed in an inverted style with the dayroom on the first floor affording spectacular views of Tresco. There is also a balcony at this level. Standing in its own mature, secluded, and sheltered garden, The Boathouse is accessed from a vehicular track.

The Boat House

On the Ground Floor

Bedroom 4.9m x 2.7m with en suite shower, wash basin and w.c. Open-plan stairs to first floor.

On the First Floor

Kitchen / Lounge / Dining Room 6.2m x2.8m. With stable door access on to a wooden balcony with stunning views over Green Bay to Tresco and beyond.

The Boat Shed

A stone walled lean-to extension of The Boathouse, The Boat Shed offers extensive “L” shaped ground floor storage approximately 8.95m x 4.5m. There is some timber cladding to external walls and a wide double timber entrance door. An external forecourt storage area leads on to the island track way, making it easy for boats to be trailored from the store to a launching area on the beach. The Boat Shed is ripe for conversion subject to the necessary consents.

THE BUSINESS
The present owner and her family have operated the self-catering holiday business at South Hill for several decades
and the premises and business are now reluctantly offered for sale due to the owner's wish to retire. In recent
years the business has been promoted only from mid March through to the end of October. During this time
occupancy levels are rarely below 75% and are usually 100%. Only limited marketing has been necessary due to
very high levels of repeat custom, indicative of customer satisfaction. There is a dedicated website
(www.southhillbryher.co.uk). South Hill Cottages has an entry in the Isles of Scilly Tourist Board brochure and gets additional
promotion from other referring websites.
Tariffs naturally vary depending on the property and time of year but, as a guide, the lowest part of the season is
between £300 - £350 per week, rising to over £800 per week in peak season. It is considered that there is scope
to increase these charges and still remain competitive with other similar businesses on Bryher. Full trading
accounts will be available to serious prospective purchasers who have viewed the property.
Apart from the private accommodation, the premises are offered fully furnished and equipped as self-catering
holiday accommodation.




SERVICES South Hill is served by mains water and electricity. Hot water is provided by an immersion heater, and
space heating by the Aga and electric heaters. Drainage is to a septic tank.
Firmans is served by mains water and electricity, an immersion heater for hot water, and electric convector heaters
for space heating. Drainage is to a septic tank.
Victory is served by mains water and electricity, an immersion heater for hot water, and wall mounted convector
heaters for space heating. Drainage is to a cess pit.
The Garden House is similarly served with water, electricity, and space heating. Drainage is to a septic tank.
The Boathouse has a separate mains water and electricity supply, an immersion heater for hot water and electric
convector heaters for space heating. Drainage is to a septic tank. The Boat Shed has mains water and electricity.

BUSINESS RATES For information on the rates applicable to these premises, please visit the Valuation Office
website (www.voa.gov.uk).


TENURE As is the case with most properties on the majority of the Islands, the premises are subject to a long
renewable Duchy of Cornwall lease. In the case of South Hill this was granted in 1993 for a term of 45 years, with
full repairing and insuring covenants. The current rental is £8,000 per annum, with provision for rent reviews every
three years. The next review is due in 2014. One lease covers all the above properties.