Duncan Bannatyne's firm sells Charlton House to Singaporean group

The Bannatyne Group, owned by former Dragon’s Den star Duncan Bannatyne, has sold Charlton House Hotel & Spa near Shepton Mallet in Somerset to Singaporean group KOP Limited.

The acquisition marks the real estate development company’s re-entry into the UK market. Its subsidiary KOP Properties owns Montigo Resorts in Nongsa and Seminyak in Indonesia as well as Wintastar Shanghai and Dalvey House in Singapore, and previously owned London’s Cranley hotel and 10 Trinity Square, which houses the Four Seasons hotel.

The sale price was undisclosed, however the 28-bedroom property was put on the market in 2021 with a guide price of £4m.

The converted 17th-century country house is set in four acres of landscaped gardens and grounds with an AA-rosette restaurant and bar, an orangery and 60 car parking spaces. It also has a Moroccan-themed spa with five treatment rooms, a hydro pool, jacuzzi, steam room and sauna, as well as a gym and an outdoor tennis court.

The Bannatyne Group acquired the Grade II-listed property out of administration in 2010. The group's portfolio now consists of three hotels in Hastings, Durham and Darlington.

Matthew Smith, partner, hotel agency at Knight Frank, which oversaw the sale said: “This sale demonstrates the confidence in the UK hotel market, which we expect to continue throughout 2023.”