Boss to sell golf course and retire Owner to put hotel and sports venue on market
ALUXURY four-star country hotel and golf course in the Warwickshire countryside has been put on the market as its owner revealed plans to retire.
The Grade II-listed Nailcote Hall Hotel, Golf & Country Club, in Berkswell, near Solihull, is being sold by Rick Cressman, who has overseen a transformation of the venue over 25 years. He took over the running of the hotel and course in June 1991 while it was in receivership.
Nailcote is now best known for hosting the British Par 3 Championship event on its nine-hole championship golf course.
Looking forward to his retirement, Mr Cressman said: “I am sure I am still going to be about but I turn 66 this year and this is a very demanding business.
“I feel that I need to have a bit of time for myself and my family as I have two grandchildren now.
“It’s time for some fresher, younger legs to come in.
“I think I have completed the job of creating the venue and making it what it is today.”
He added: “I am sure I am going to carry on working with the British Par 3 Championship here every year and continue to have a role in the life of Nailcote Hall.
“I’m not going to disappear off the face of the Earth, but 25 and a bit years of running a hotel business 24 hours a day, seven days a week, is a good innings.”
The 49-bedroom manor house hotel sits on 13.5 acres and has been fully refurbished with many of its original features maintained.
Ten of the bedrooms are newly constructed and the property also has bars, restaurants, five function or conference rooms, a leisure club, golf course and multi-purpose golf club house.
Nailcote Hall was built in 1640 just before the start of the English Civil War and the house was damaged by Cromwell’s troops before the assault on Kenilworth Castle.
It is thought the land may have been granted to the first owner for assistance given during the conquest of William the Conqueror in the eleventh century.
Mr Cressman added: “It’s a stunning venue and a good business with very good staff here.
“My hope is that we find a very good owner who really wants to put their heart and soul into here and take the business forward.
“Someone who will embrace the whole ethos of the business.”
Real estate company Savills is selling the hotel on behalf of Mr Cressman. The agency’s Tom Cunningham said: “This is an excellent opportunity to acquire a well-performing country house hotel in the picturesque Warwickshire countryside, with ease of access to major conurbations and the national motorway network.”