Lavender House Hotel Sold to The Barn at Pengelly Team, to Reopen as Ashmoor House
Charles Darrow, the South West’s leading hospitality and leisure property agent, is pleased to announce the sale of the former Lavender House Hotel, the well-established country hotel and wedding venue near Ashburton, Devon. The freehold property was offered for sale at a guide price of £975,000, attracted strong interest from multiple parties and went under offer within just six weeks of coming to market.
The purchaser is the team behind The Barn at Pengelly, the award-winning Cornwall wedding venue. The new owners have confirmed that all existing bookings at the property will be honoured in full, and have announced plans for an extensive renovation programme ahead of the 2027 wedding season. Under the new ownership, the property will be rebranded as Ashmoor House and will operate exclusively as a wedding venue, drawing on the experience and reputation the team has built at The Barn at Pengelly.
Wenna Hicks, Director at Ashmoor House commented:
“We are delighted to be bringing Ashmoor House into our family. Every couple who already has a wedding booked with us can rest assured that their day is safe and will go ahead exactly as planned. Alongside this, we will be investing significantly in the property over the coming months, with a programme of renovations designed to make Ashmoor House one of the South West’s most sought-after wedding destinations ahead of the 2027 season. We can’t wait to welcome couples and their guests through our doors.”
The renovation programme will draw on the same approach to design, service and guest experience that has made The Barn at Pengelly an award-winning venue, while retaining the character and setting that make Ashmoor House special.
Set in approximately two acres in the foothills of Dartmoor, the property comprises 13 en-suite guest bedrooms, two owners’ apartments, a licensed function suite catering for up to 360 guests, and extensive landscaped gardens. It has traded successfully as a wedding venue since 2002, hosting circa 50 weddings a year.
Jon Clyne, Director at Charles Darrow, who handled the sale, commented:
“This was a hugely sought-after opportunity, and the level of interest we saw reflects just how highly regarded Lavender House is within the wedding and hospitality sector. We’re delighted to have found a buyer with the vision, track record and investment appetite to take the venue forward, and we wish the new owners every success as Ashmoor House.
The sale is a further indication of renewed confidence in the South West’s hospitality and leisure property market. After a prolonged period of caution, buyer appetite is clearly returning, with well-presented, income-producing venues such as this attracting genuine competition rather than simply sitting on the market.
Wedding venues and, increasingly, well-being venues are particularly sought after at present, with buyers recognising the strength of demand for these types of destination businesses and the potential to create strong, sustainable trading operations. That said, purchasers remain disciplined, with price continuing to be the key driver.
Vendors who price realistically and present their businesses and properties well are being rewarded with stronger buyer interest and faster transactions. This sale is a good example of that shift in the market, and demonstrates that there is genuine appetite for the right leisure and hospitality businesses when they are brought to market at the right level.”
For enquiries regarding the new venue, please contact hello@ashmoorhouse.com