Allen's brother hit the nail on the head when he said, these houses were not made for just two people to be walled off from the rest of the world. They were built to be a community within themselfs.
@@celiajarvis3168 he didn’t say the government was picking up the tab, neither is he contributing toward any of the refurbishment his he or his son will inherit
Your home is not private? Anyone can come and go? You're renting. Look for the definition of "private propery". Here is a sign: "private Property - No Trespassing Violators Will Be Shot - Survivors Will Be Shot Again"
Many of the local people are descendants of folks who had some sort of relationship with the estate. It makes sense that they open the house to the public and become part of the community. The house and family history are very much tied to the history of the whole town and region. It is a shared heritage. I am glad that they can still live in their home and enjoy the fruits of their labor.
I think it is not right for Simon to insist Allen and his wife should move out of their house. It's a huge mansion and they can easily, with a little alteration, secure a separate, self contained and private family suite with a private entertainment hall, while the rest of the house can be opened to public as a hospitality and celebration property. Another plus will be that Allen will rernter the fold do to speak, and shed his loneliness and become a happier and more genial person.
I really really wish 'Country House Rescue' would do one, two, or even more years, after, follow-up episodes. It would be interesting to see the successes (those that took Simon's advice and/or even ran with it) and, dare I say, failures (if any...*cough*...Great Fulford...).
I do my own followup as I watch the video by googling the properties. It's interesting to see that the couples who don't work well together tend not to leave traces of success online...
I think one optional part of a spa package/day could be afternoon tea in one of the grand rooms, just one. Guests could dress up, have some nice tea and pastry and feel like an aristocrat for a couple of hours! I'd buy that experience, if it weren't too expensive!
That`s a great idea and if that isn`t to some people`s taste, they could also offer some sort of horse-riding experience. They certainly have the land for it- trails and such.
Colebrooke is an ideal location at which to hold an international three-day-event that could bring thousands of people to the area for a week or so every year. Many landed estates benefit handsomely by hosting three-day and other events that appeal to the country set (e.g. sheep dog trials, hunter trials, hacking). Building cross-country courses/fences that could be rented to equestrians/riding clubs, etc. might also be an appropriate option for them. Memberships/licenses to use the facilities could be sold.
Lucinda Greens horse Village Gossip was produced there, by Alan’s mother , the previous Lady Brooksborough. So there is already a great connection with Eventing. It used to be a brilliant riding school in the 1970s too.
@@TCrox I remember the speedy Village Gossip very well indeed. I had forgotten that he was produced at Colebrooke. Lord Brookeborough's sister, Susie, was on the eventing scene in the late 1970s and the 1980s. So, as you say, there is already a great connection with Eventing.
Seasonal garden parties, farmers markets, historical tours, fancy dress dinners, work and rest bnb guests, TH-cam income omg my mind is going nuts on all the possibilities
Allen and Janet have done a beautiful job of creating a lovely home with great atmosphere. The house tour was very generous and I hope Allen keeps giving them so that the complete history of Colebrooke House and lands will be passed on and remembered for all generations to come.
by engaging with the community it brings joy and happiness into the lives of everyone and will bless u spiritually and financially it will also ensure the estates restorations for years to come
The Estate is incredibly beautiful. It was a real treat to be able to see it on TH-cam from home in Florida. Since I was very young I was interested in seeing the interiors of these magnificent homes. The Spa turned out amazing and had excellent 5* reviews on line. That was a great episode.
How lovely for the townspeople to get to view the interior of this majestic house. Would love to see more Gardens & Trees on the spacious grounds. Prince Charles’s Highgrove House Organici Gardens are awe inspiring.
Lovely couple and I do understand their love for the house, state and privacy but it all still possible with clear bounderies! Wish them the best of luck !
I think Allen will find that by taking people through the house, he gets a subtle way of showing off all the hard work he and Janet have put into it to retrieve their history and their families treasures. I think that will give him a morale boost and they will be more prone to opening the house to visitors, even if it’s only on the weekend or a few days during the weekday. Plus they have so many rooms they could start up a tea room and a little kitchenette and when people come through for a visit they could have tea and scones. Best wishes to this couple. I do understand their reluctance to Allow strangers into their home. It is beautiful and they have worked hard to get it to where it was at this point.
2022 update: The Spa folded around 2017. The couple still live in the building. It is still rented out for weddings and business retreats and country shooting, but not much else. The website has not been updated for several years. The costs are not listed, you must call to negotiate your fees. Excruciatingly archaic, what a shame.
Janet did an amazing job bringing that house back to life. Sensitively restoring and redecorating a place with that history is no easy feat. I see the estate’s website gives her more credit than this show did, which is something at least.
Although animal lovers may have different opinion on having income from hunting, this venue kept the estate afloat, perhaps in absence of other options. Adding relaxation activities and professionally run Finnish sauna, seemed to helped. I just wanted to share my support to Allen that having your own style and select market is ok. If they do not feel comfortable with socialization with unknown people, it is also ok. The farm that is run down has potentiality to be renovated and equipped for horse boarding business, with the option for having an elite closed heated paddock for renting to other horse clubs and owners of competition horses for horse training for show jumping and dressage. Additionally , you can consider hosting of show jumping and dressage events. Than you may even attempt to scale down hunting
I image the insurance to cover the shooting weekens would not be inexpensive. Having horses and riding events would probably be costly insurance wise. If the house is close enough to a city than boarding horses might be an option. But they would have to hire someone full-time to manage that sort of enterprise.
I do sympathize with Allen in some aspect, how many of us would be welcoming to random strangers to be in our home? To us the place it’s just is huge to discover, but to him, it’s his home he lived most of his life in. That said, this was a good direction to go more on the health and spa operation. This makes the estate more unique compared to other high estates that just rely on the bnb, and it gives Allen a chance to grow trusting certain strangers. And he seems more relaxed because of this transition.
Brilliant, Fantastic, and kudos to Allen and his wonderful wife Janet...they have moved on from their stuffiest lifestyle or accepting...COLEBROOK deserves to be shared!!!! Anyone who owns, or inherits property is really just a custodian of their time, be it however hard they have worked and spent financially on it. If all were truly owned, we would be taking it with us 'SOMEHOW' when we pass. ONE GRIPE...and that's everywhere in the world I share my view....NO BLOODY PUSHCHAIRS in a home, a venue where there are crowds of people... the height of rudeness...BACKPACK MUMS AND DADS or BABYSITTERS...your precious angels won't recall their visit, but the tyre treads, scuffing of furniture, and bruised shins of others ....WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN.
I agree with you 100%. When I saw a young man with a baby carriage inside this home I cringed. Lack of imagination, or complete indifference to others' efforts to maintain their home. Selfishness combined with entitlement.
IF IT WAS MY HOUSE I WOULD NOT HAVE LIKED PEOPLE THERE EITHER BUT WHAT THEY DID I THINK IS EXCELLENT AND SUITS THEIR LIFESTYLE AND THE KIND OF PEOPLE THEY ARE VERY WELL - LETTING MORE PEOPLE IN BUT NOT TO INTRUSIVE LIKE WITH WEDDINGS AND THE HOUSE OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. WELL DONE
Are we supposed to feel sorry for these people? Oh my goodness. Having to get up at 3 am to check locks and lights??? How EXHAUSTING and ridiculously hard work! HUGE EYEROLL.
Really insulting to tell the owners to move out and that the manager would have control of their property. Their work of 30 years is truly outstanding. The bedrooms are just beautifully decorated. The general public will trash the property, steal or break irreplaceable items. I'm glad they didn't blindly follow Simon's suggestions.
There was method behind him suggesting they move out. He said so at the end. He wanted them to get used to the idea of strangers in the house. Having people come whether to the Spa or events or whatever, an injection of money is needed. They are slowly drowning in debt and because he brought them around to his ideas, they are now earning more money than before and may indeed take small groups on guided tours around the house.
@@majoroldladyakamom6948 You are quite correct! I myself cringe at some of the misuse of words but there’s no excuse for poor spelling. Thanks for the heads up 😊👏😊
They could pressure wash a great deal of this house to make it a bit less moldy, mossy and dirty black. They could hire a catering firm to free the wife up from cooking. They could install a driving range or a putting range for golfers. They could get some landscapers in to give a beautiful garden atmosphere. They could hold Sunday Teas with specialty baked goods and a look thru the home for one day a week. So much, They could rent out the mother in law apartment. They could start a riding school . So so many things They could get Meri Berry out there and do some Irish bakeoffs!
Being conservative to a certain extent is a gift, because it allows you to preserve the heritage, history and effort of several generations, but it cannot be something that makes you intransigible. The world of old aristocrats who lived in large estates closed to the public with thousands of employees is in the past, it is no longer sustainable, even for the richest.
The very richest can afford it for a few generations. Think Getty, Saudi kings and princes, Dubai and Qatari royals. Galen Weston, Bill Gates etc. None of them open up their houses or estates.
Even the great treasure houses of England have to open for "x" number of days to get their heritage grant money. Most of the hereditary peers are up to their eyeballs in debt for those places. Those employees were needed back then because there weren't any mechanized devices or a sufficiently large electrical grid/system for those devices to aid with the work. Even on a smaller estate like Colebrooke Park; keeping up formal gardens would be very labor intensive -=$$$. I imagine having a forester with some local labor would be affordable.
The biggest issue for these people are the death duties. It means that whenever the estate changes hands they suddenly have a massive debt that they need to overcome. Doesn't make for a consistent business and is horribly immoral.
Basically what I'm getting from this couple is we want people to pay us for use of our house without getting the use of our house... Too bad they can't go back in time and have slave labour and raise taxes from local residents.
All is well if the end is well... Makes me so happy to see everything falling in place for Alan n family... Best wishes. I hope to visit from India someday to see this beautiful estate...
Just think how every person, when they went through the home and saw the beautiful inside, were all likely envious and wanted it for themselves, thinking it was all so grand and how the owners must be so wealthy... just goes to show people that it is never what it seems! And as I always tell my kids, don't count other people's money! In the case of this serious, they rarely even have any!
As my Grand would say "Cut ones nose off to spite ones face!" Perhaps have select days and parties to come in on select weekends from 9am till 11am from 3 till 5pm! Very sellect groups! Two issues, booty covers for all footware, (No high heels!) Public toilets. Very limited viewings, guided tours only!!! The history of the estate, its family as well as the beauty that they have lovingly restored so far!!!! I feel would be of profit!!!
This house is doomed by the intransigence of the couple living in it. There are plenty of examples of successfully managed manors, but also many lying in ruins as the result of the inflexible noble hermits who inhabited them.
The early results are there to also open our minds, that of giving them the credit that they will be able to have a graeter sense of vision, which does not deserve to by accused of intransigence of the couple; their business plan manager was rather impressed by their progresses and became himself open-minded about seeing them remain hosts of their own property, which by itself is often what the visitors want to see; it is after all part of history, in the manor, and the region.
This man is isn't even house rich, or cash rich. He's a snob. When you have a large amount of money sitting in the bank, then you can be cash rich. They are IN DEBT. They are no different then most of us. They are just broke at a higher income level.
If you insist on living in aristocratic snobbery, you will lose your manor. The hope to save an historic icon is only successful when the homeowners can humble themselves to serve the manor. If you are too stuck up to get out of your ivory tower, you imprison yourself in a gigantic rotting cell.
I don't know if the guy is a control freak, I think he just wants things done perfectly because its his/their home. He had to be made to realise that if he didn't open the house up, it wouldn't be his home for much longer. For managing any business, delegation is the key, that means getting managers in and then managing them in whatever way necessary, I believe the best way is to let them free and see what they can do, then mould them the way I want. Looks like the SPA manager had just that and did a great job. In a nutshell, they were at a total loss and from what we were shown, they actually did almost everything that was suggested. Now lets see how long it lasts. I wonder how everything went during the scamdemic though, designed to screw small businesses like this, and now the fuel costs, how on earth can they keep that place warm in the winter, especially an outdoor Jacuzzi. I actually really liked this couple and to be honest, would love to have a problem like theirs, I believe there is a huge potential for places like this all over the world. His house tour was a little large for the first time so hope it didn't put him off, smaller groups for a small fee would be fine, he certainly loved telling his history, and who wouldn't. Never seen this programme before, I might subscribe for a while and watch a few more episodes. Thanks and well done. Now I'm no search expert but on the little go I just had it looks like the owners are no longer the owners and they are advertising weddings there now also, for up to 1000 people. Not sure what happened but would love to know.
This was a beautiful video about restoring a dying estate. I so love how these owners are looking forward to future generations and the survival of their home. The only thing I found offputting was all the taxidermy which I suppose is the “country way“. Just not used to seeing all of that from my own established urban culture. 🤔😊
That's the real crime here - the inheritance taxes took so much of the property to pay off, it leaves places like this in danger of collapsing and disappearing forever. Governments rarely, if ever, think anything through to its logical end. Inheritance taxes are immoral.
Offer it up for a movie set. Celebrities will always bring crowds. Also people will come to stay just to say they had spent time at the now famous hotel/bed and breakfast.
Horseback riding, hunting, tours, intimate dining, coffee bar, bike trails maybe even golf, or a weddimg venue. So much you could do with the property. Once established and with a little maintenance, this could be a wonderful retreat.
It seems that the Viscountess repeats over and over, "For the last 30 years I have dedicated myself to restoring this place...." Who asked you to do that? NO ONE. YOUR CHOICE. Quit complaining.
As the viscountess, it was her duty to ensure that the house was in proper care during her watch. She was not complaining, merely stressing the point that she what was expected of her as the viscountess.
Tweed jackets at all levels and sticking his heels in. Not much likely to change until they pass away and a younger generation take over. I saw that on the large estate i grew up on. The new generation are now running it as a business rather than large run down family home. What a great cycling specialist!, he can't even put a helmet on the right way round.
I have enough to do with keeping my house in good repair. Cracked walls, cracked drive, Plumbing, painting...use to dream of being landed gentry. Now if I sit in back yard and have a fire and cold beer, I am king of me castle. That being said, what an estate. Allan can't take it with him, soon enough the banks will own everything. What they did that home was awesome, sharing is not what they did it for. Love of family was.
These estate owners are Soo disconnected from the reality of the economic situation it's mind-blowing. 😖🌻 It's sometimes difficult to feel too badly for them. This family is one of those . 🥴
I must've been sleeping, lol. I like Simon & it's the first time I've seen him. I've only seen this series with Ruth. Btw: seems the spa didn't stay in the plans. I don't see any mention of it on their website (Sept. 2022)
This place could generate lots of money if the owners are open to it. 1100 acres? Plenty to build off of. Cyclists, runners, walking trails, a spa, and hunting…….plenty of possible avenues. I hope they consider Simon’s advice. Unfortunate, there is no cottage on the property for the owners
I totally understand .I had this exact problem in England .in end lost the lot .Wake up its a slippery slope owning an historic family seat .I live in Europe now having been forced to move on
I don't feel sorry for the Viscount one bit! His family has used the land for centuries and enriched themselves! Yet, they failed to install a sense of community responsibility in their heirs!
At issue here is this "English" family is sitting on prime property they wrestled from the Irish eons ago! They don't want the community to see what they took away from them. It's like many well-healed families not wanting to admit their money came from being slavers abd colonists! Just horrible to think they want to sit on their bums demanding their privacy! Just horrible!
You've got to be kidding me. Kudos on your restoration how long are you going to live there? They'll probably knock it down once you're dead. You can't take it with you!!! Philadelphia USA
Your attitude explains why US-cities and rural areas look as desolate and uniform as they do. Other than the beautiful landscape there is nothing to see there. Greetings from Europe
@@lillic8522 I agree. Here in the US, they tear down beautiful old unique buildings and houses and put up ugly modern concrete boxes in their place that all look the same. Europe does it right.
to see the couple just wanted to live there just the 2 of them, and in the future will it to one person! NEVER he will go bankrupt and the estate will began to rot again. wasn't very wise thinking.
This guy doesn't seem to have the creativity of Ruth Watson, and somehow--shockingly--is even more rude. At least Ruth's frankness is twinged with humor and compassion.
I agree, I’m really not impressed with him. He could only see that they had to open up the entire house and move out. He couldn’t see that there are lots of other possibilities to make money, and still keep the house for themselves.
Health and fitness does excites them and it should work for now anyway and carry on for awhile?! It wil maybe be alot of fun for them? They could have Healing Touch or Reiki too. Looks like it was a great idea for them right now and for a few years! This will be a popular Castle! People are into health now as they never want to grow old! The new thing! The best life and a nice recreational day when not at work.
The owners of these Estates all have the same problem as in they want people to give them a lot of money for the little they are willing to provide. They want to keep them as totally private family homes but, these days they can't do it. No one is going to pay a lot of money on seeing a garden and come back repeatedly.
First world problems or what. I’m five minutes in and already think they deserve to Loose the bloody place. “Oh we tried weddings - just too intrusive, we were locked away at the back and the house just isn’t big enough” ok then 🤔 that’s not all disgraceful. Tragic. Thank god these people don’t run the nation anymore. It would be as knackered as that house.
This viscount is so typical of the British landed gentry. It is almost like this has been scripted beforehand. Apparently, being the sole owner of such an estate does something strange to a person's mind. Perhaps not going outside of the property in a sufficient way reduces one's acceptance levels.
Good grief the lord and lady are too set in their ways and do not understand how to save this Estate. Sad, a bit like Tsar Nicholas before the revolution, cannot see the storm coming at them.
Were these siezed lands by the british in ireland? Tragic history for native irish . The property looks unkept considering they have spent years living there
Allen's brother hit the nail on the head when he said, these houses were not made for just two people to be walled off from the rest of the world. They were built to be a community within themselfs.
The government is not picking the tab. It is a private home, not for the general public.
@@celiajarvis3168 he didn’t say the government was picking up the tab, neither is he contributing toward any of the refurbishment his he or his son will inherit
correct is right
@@perduealexandra5736 - you just didn’t get it.
Your home is not private? Anyone can come and go? You're renting. Look for the definition of "private propery". Here is a sign: "private Property - No Trespassing Violators Will Be Shot - Survivors Will Be Shot Again"
Many of the local people are descendants of folks who had some sort of relationship with the estate. It makes sense that they open the house to the public and become part of the community. The house and family history are very much tied to the history of the whole town and region. It is a shared heritage. I am glad that they can still live in their home and enjoy the fruits of their labor.
Exactly
KNJ Moorhouse/Thanks for your post. It was heartwarming to know the residents of the town is connected to the grand house.
I think it is not right for Simon to insist Allen and his wife should move out of their house. It's a huge mansion and they can easily, with a little alteration, secure a separate, self contained and private family suite with a private entertainment hall, while the rest of the house can be opened to public as a hospitality and celebration property.
Another plus will be that Allen will rernter the fold do to speak, and shed his loneliness and become a happier and more genial person.
It is a shared heritage, but it's still private property
Yes many of their ancestors worked for pittance wages and local residents paid taxes to the "lords"
I really really wish 'Country House Rescue' would do one, two, or even more years, after, follow-up episodes. It would be interesting to see the successes (those that took Simon's advice and/or even ran with it) and, dare I say, failures (if any...*cough*...Great Fulford...).
The spa is still operational. Seems to be quite lovely. I looked them up to see what happened. :)
I have looked up quite a few of the houses on these shows and those look great and look like successes to me, I was glad to see.
I do my own followup as I watch the video by googling the properties. It's interesting to see that the couples who don't work well together tend not to leave traces of success online...
Lovely couple. They complement each other. Alan is a great tour guide. Janet is lovely.
The grounds are gorgeous. Wishing great success.
I think one optional part of a spa package/day could be afternoon tea in one of the grand rooms, just one. Guests could dress up, have some nice tea and pastry and feel like an aristocrat for a couple of hours! I'd buy that experience, if it weren't too expensive!
wonderful idea!
That`s a great idea and if that isn`t to some people`s taste, they could also offer some sort of horse-riding experience. They certainly have the land for it- trails and such.
@@anteeker That's a great idea as well! Thanks for your response🤗
Wonderful idea. I went to a cottage once, dressup was welcomed, tea and pastries served. Unique, pleasant, experience.
@@maemarcil149 I`d love that- it sounds like it was a lot of fun!
Colebrooke is an ideal location at which to hold an international three-day-event that could bring thousands of people to the area for a week or so every year. Many landed estates benefit handsomely by hosting three-day and other events that appeal to the country set (e.g. sheep dog trials, hunter trials, hacking). Building cross-country courses/fences that could be rented to equestrians/riding clubs, etc. might also be an appropriate option for them. Memberships/licenses to use the facilities could be sold.
Lucinda Greens horse Village Gossip was produced there, by Alan’s mother , the previous Lady Brooksborough. So there is already a great connection with Eventing. It used to be a brilliant riding school in the 1970s too.
@@TCrox I remember the speedy Village Gossip very well indeed. I had forgotten that he was produced at Colebrooke. Lord Brookeborough's sister, Susie, was on the eventing scene in the late 1970s and the 1980s. So, as you say, there is already a great connection with Eventing.
@@louisnealon6811 Saw Village Gossip and Lucinda many times!
Seasonal garden parties, farmers markets, historical tours, fancy dress dinners, work and rest bnb guests, TH-cam income omg my mind is going nuts on all the possibilities
Same lol they already have the location for a banging TH-cam channel
Allen and Janet have done a beautiful job of creating a lovely home with great atmosphere. The house tour was very generous and I hope Allen keeps giving them so that the complete history of Colebrooke House and lands will be passed on and remembered for all generations to come.
by engaging with the community it brings joy and happiness into the lives of everyone and will bless u spiritually and financially it will also ensure the estates restorations for years to come
The Estate is incredibly beautiful. It was a real treat to be able to see it on TH-cam from home in Florida. Since I was very young I was interested in seeing the interiors of these magnificent homes. The Spa turned out amazing and had excellent 5* reviews on line. That was a great episode.
It really was, and landed property was saying Welcome to Ireland!"
How lovely for the townspeople
to get to view the interior of this majestic house. Would love to see more Gardens & Trees on the spacious grounds. Prince Charles’s Highgrove House Organici Gardens are awe inspiring.
King Charles III 🤴 👑 now! And yes, I agree, his gardens at Highgrove are amazing.
Lovely couple and I do understand their love for the house, state and privacy but it all still possible with clear bounderies! Wish them the best of luck !
A lord whom has manners to allow guests in first, carries bags for guests and is not pompous, but humble.
Thank you so much for filming these and sharing them with your viewers. They are quite inspiring!
I think Allen will find that by taking people through the house, he gets a subtle way of showing off all the hard work he and Janet have put into it to retrieve their history and their families treasures. I think that will give him a morale boost and they will be more prone to opening the house to visitors, even if it’s only on the weekend or a few days during the weekday. Plus they have so many rooms they could start up a tea room and a little kitchenette and when people come through for a visit they could have tea and scones. Best wishes to this couple. I do understand their reluctance to Allow strangers into their home. It is beautiful and they have worked hard to get it to where it was at this point.
Goodness what a fantastic property...........just wonderful. inviting the public to embrance Coolbrook is the best way to enure it's future.
2022 update: The Spa folded around 2017. The couple still live in the building. It is still rented out for weddings and business retreats and country shooting, but not much else. The website has not been updated for several years. The costs are not listed, you must call to negotiate your fees. Excruciatingly archaic, what a shame.
Not surprised,the owners are clueless
Like Simon speculated, the owners are the real problem.
@@ToowokeforFlorida Aren’t they always!! Fulford!
atleast they still live there
Janet did an amazing job bringing that house back to life. Sensitively restoring and redecorating a place with that history is no easy feat. I see the estate’s website gives her more credit than this show did, which is something at least.
She has a Very Good Stylistic Eye Indeed 👌🖤🙏
Although animal lovers may have different opinion on having income from hunting, this venue kept the estate afloat, perhaps in absence of other options. Adding relaxation activities and professionally run Finnish sauna, seemed to helped. I just wanted to share my support to Allen that having your own style and select market is ok. If they do not feel comfortable with socialization with unknown people, it is also ok. The farm that is run down has potentiality to be renovated and equipped for horse boarding business, with the option for having an elite closed heated paddock for renting to other horse clubs and owners of competition horses for horse training for show jumping and dressage. Additionally , you can consider hosting of show jumping and dressage events. Than you may even attempt to scale down hunting
No difference between hunting and then eating it than going to the butchers for a hunk of meat. Trophy hunting is despicable.
I image the insurance to cover the shooting weekens
would not be inexpensive. Having horses and riding
events would probably be costly insurance wise.
If the house is close enough to a city than boarding
horses might be an option. But they would have to
hire someone full-time to manage that sort of
enterprise.
I think children would love seeing the animals like a Savannah tour but for teens and younger folk.
I do sympathize with Allen in some aspect, how many of us would be welcoming to random strangers to be in our home? To us the place it’s just is huge to discover, but to him, it’s his home he lived most of his life in. That said, this was a good direction to go more on the health and spa operation. This makes the estate more unique compared to other high estates that just rely on the bnb, and it gives Allen a chance to grow trusting certain strangers. And he seems more relaxed because of this transition.
You don't like in a mansion like him though.
Brilliant, Fantastic, and kudos to Allen and his wonderful wife Janet...they have moved on from their stuffiest lifestyle or accepting...COLEBROOK deserves to be shared!!!!
Anyone who owns, or inherits property is really just a custodian of their time, be it however hard they have worked and spent financially on it. If all were truly owned, we would be taking it with us 'SOMEHOW' when we pass.
ONE GRIPE...and that's everywhere in the world I share my view....NO BLOODY PUSHCHAIRS in a home, a venue where there are crowds of people... the height of rudeness...BACKPACK MUMS AND DADS or BABYSITTERS...your precious angels won't recall their visit, but the tyre treads, scuffing of furniture, and bruised shins of others ....WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN.
I agree with you 100%.
When I saw a young man with a baby carriage inside this home I cringed.
Lack of imagination, or complete indifference to others' efforts to maintain their home. Selfishness combined with entitlement.
IF IT WAS MY HOUSE I WOULD NOT HAVE LIKED PEOPLE THERE EITHER BUT WHAT THEY DID I THINK IS EXCELLENT AND SUITS THEIR LIFESTYLE AND THE KIND OF PEOPLE THEY ARE VERY WELL - LETTING MORE PEOPLE IN BUT NOT TO INTRUSIVE LIKE WITH WEDDINGS AND THE HOUSE OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. WELL DONE
Are we supposed to feel sorry for these people? Oh my goodness. Having to get up at 3 am to check locks and lights??? How EXHAUSTING and ridiculously hard work! HUGE EYEROLL.
Simon, you're doing a great job rescuing old English architecture.😎
Really insulting to tell the owners to move out and that the manager would have control of their property. Their work of 30 years is truly outstanding. The bedrooms are just beautifully decorated. The general public will trash the property, steal or break irreplaceable items. I'm glad they didn't blindly follow Simon's suggestions.
There was method behind him suggesting they move out. He said so at the end. He wanted them to get used to the idea of strangers in the house. Having people come whether to the Spa or events or whatever, an injection of money is needed. They are slowly drowning in debt and because he brought them around to his ideas, they are now earning more money than before and may indeed take small groups on guided tours around the house.
I AGREE WITH YOU
... break, not brake. 🤣
@@majoroldladyakamom6948 - Devastating! 🥴 But I do have an excuse - the android text prediction. Give me a brake 😄
@@majoroldladyakamom6948 You are quite correct! I myself cringe at some of the misuse of words but there’s no excuse for poor spelling. Thanks for the heads up 😊👏😊
One of the better episodes what a fantastic interior so much taste
What a beautiful estate!!!
They could pressure wash a great deal of this house to make it a bit less moldy, mossy and dirty black. They could hire a catering firm to free the wife up from cooking. They could install a driving range or a putting range for golfers. They could get some landscapers in to give a beautiful garden atmosphere. They could hold Sunday Teas with specialty baked goods and a look thru the home for one day a week. So much, They could rent out the mother in law apartment. They could start a riding school . So so many things They could get Meri Berry out there and do some Irish bakeoffs!
Being conservative to a certain extent is a gift, because it allows you to preserve the heritage, history and effort of several generations, but it cannot be something that makes you intransigible. The world of old aristocrats who lived in large estates closed to the public with thousands of employees is in the past, it is no longer sustainable, even for the richest.
The very richest can afford it for a few generations. Think Getty, Saudi kings and princes, Dubai and Qatari royals. Galen Weston, Bill Gates etc. None of them open up their houses or estates.
Even the great treasure houses
of England have to open for "x"
number of days to get their
heritage grant money. Most
of the hereditary peers are
up to their eyeballs in debt
for those places.
Those employees were needed
back then because there weren't
any mechanized devices or
a sufficiently large electrical
grid/system for those devices
to aid with the work.
Even on a smaller estate like
Colebrooke Park; keeping up
formal gardens would be very
labor intensive -=$$$. I imagine
having a forester with some local
labor would be affordable.
The biggest issue for these people are the death duties. It means that whenever the estate changes hands they suddenly have a massive debt that they need to overcome. Doesn't make for a consistent business and is horribly immoral.
Basically what I'm getting from this couple is we want people to pay us for use of our house without getting the use of our house... Too bad they can't go back in time and have slave labour and raise taxes from local residents.
All is well if the end is well... Makes me so happy to see everything falling in place for Alan n family... Best wishes. I hope to visit from India someday to see this beautiful estate...
What an honour! Letting a tradesperson (of sorts) through the front door! LoL 😝🙃
The estate tax is killing them. I think if they could compromise in opening part of the house for I say 5 years, save the income for the restoration.
Just think how every person, when they went through the home and saw the beautiful inside, were all likely envious and wanted it for themselves, thinking it was all so grand and how the owners must be so wealthy... just goes to show people that it is never what it seems! And as I always tell my kids, don't count other people's money!
In the case of this serious, they rarely even have any!
Beautiful! 🌹 So enjoyable to watch 😍
It would be something grand to see in person.
As my Grand would say "Cut ones nose off to spite ones face!" Perhaps have select days and parties to come in on select weekends from 9am till 11am from 3 till 5pm! Very sellect groups! Two issues, booty covers for all footware, (No high heels!) Public toilets. Very limited viewings, guided tours only!!! The history of the estate, its family as well as the beauty that they have lovingly restored so far!!!! I feel would be of profit!!!
Unselfish people who are doing a good job. 🤗
I love Irish Georgian architecture. An architect who did work for Prince Charles renovated an old Irish mansion.
I just love these with Simon!!
what a wonderful place to relax and enjoy and Reboot ! well done you !
Poor Allen and Janet . Stop looking down your nose at the common people that could help you , if you don't you don't deserve what you have ..
You are absolutely right. If they can't afford to maintain the house, sell and move on - it's that simple.
Allen and Janet are imperialist settlers. Listen to their accents - NOT IRISH!
The grounds would be perfect for a Renaissance Festival.
This house is doomed by the intransigence of the couple living in it. There are plenty of examples of successfully managed manors, but also many lying in ruins as the result of the inflexible noble hermits who inhabited them.
The early results are there to also open our minds, that of giving them the credit that they will be able to have a graeter sense of vision, which does not deserve to by accused of intransigence of the couple; their business plan manager was rather impressed by their progresses and became himself open-minded about seeing them remain hosts of their own property, which by itself is often what the visitors want to see; it is after all part of history, in the manor, and the region.
This man is isn't even house rich, or cash rich. He's a snob. When you have a large amount of money sitting in the bank, then you can be cash rich. They are IN DEBT. They are no different then most of us. They are just broke at a higher income level.
If you insist on living in aristocratic snobbery, you will lose your manor. The hope to save an historic icon is only successful when the homeowners can humble themselves to serve the manor. If you are too stuck up to get out of your ivory tower, you imprison yourself in a gigantic rotting cell.
How poetic.
👏👏👏👏👏👏👍Thank you ....
I don't know if the guy is a control freak, I think he just wants things done perfectly because its his/their home. He had to be made to realise that if he didn't open the house up, it wouldn't be his home for much longer. For managing any business, delegation is the key, that means getting managers in and then managing them in whatever way necessary, I believe the best way is to let them free and see what they can do, then mould them the way I want. Looks like the SPA manager had just that and did a great job. In a nutshell, they were at a total loss and from what we were shown, they actually did almost everything that was suggested. Now lets see how long it lasts. I wonder how everything went during the scamdemic though, designed to screw small businesses like this, and now the fuel costs, how on earth can they keep that place warm in the winter, especially an outdoor Jacuzzi. I actually really liked this couple and to be honest, would love to have a problem like theirs, I believe there is a huge potential for places like this all over the world. His house tour was a little large for the first time so hope it didn't put him off, smaller groups for a small fee would be fine, he certainly loved telling his history, and who wouldn't.
Never seen this programme before, I might subscribe for a while and watch a few more episodes. Thanks and well done.
Now I'm no search expert but on the little go I just had it looks like the owners are no longer the owners and they are advertising weddings there now also, for up to 1000 people. Not sure what happened but would love to know.
This was a beautiful video about restoring a dying estate. I so love how these owners are looking forward to future generations and the survival of their home. The only thing I found offputting was all the taxidermy which I suppose is the “country way“. Just not used to seeing all of that from my own established urban culture. 🤔😊
Simon is lovely. He’s a saint. Gentry are stubborn and delusional.
Houses like this need to earn their roofs. Although why people would want to look round a house is beyond me lol
That's the real crime here - the inheritance taxes took so much of the property to pay off, it leaves places like this in danger of collapsing and disappearing forever. Governments rarely, if ever, think anything through to its logical end. Inheritance taxes are immoral.
Thank you
Offer it up for a movie set. Celebrities will always bring crowds. Also people will come to stay just to say they had spent time at the now famous hotel/bed and breakfast.
Horseback riding, hunting, tours, intimate dining, coffee bar, bike trails maybe even golf, or a weddimg venue. So much you could do with the property. Once established and with a little maintenance, this could be a wonderful retreat.
Wonderful
It seems that the Viscountess repeats over and over, "For the last 30 years I have dedicated myself to restoring this place...." Who asked you to do that? NO ONE. YOUR CHOICE. Quit complaining.
There is a duty of care to leave the home in a better state of repair than when you inherited it for future generations....just so you know
She wasn't complaining, she was stating a fact
As the viscountess, it was her duty to ensure that the house was in proper care during her watch. She was not complaining, merely stressing the point that she what was expected of her as the viscountess.
A great job.
So nice to see things coming together 🥂
With the line of inheritors there would be a need to get them involved even financially.
Tweed jackets at all levels and sticking his heels in. Not much likely to change until they pass away and a younger generation take over. I saw that on the large estate i grew up on. The new generation are now running it as a business rather than large run down family home. What a great cycling specialist!, he can't even put a helmet on the right way round.
I have enough to do with keeping my house in good repair. Cracked walls, cracked drive, Plumbing, painting...use to dream of being landed gentry. Now if I sit in back yard and have a fire and cold beer, I am king of me castle. That being said, what an estate. Allan can't take it with him, soon enough the banks will own everything. What they did that home was awesome, sharing is not what they did it for. Love of family was.
These estate owners are Soo disconnected from the reality of the economic situation it's mind-blowing. 😖🌻 It's sometimes difficult to feel too badly for them. This family is one of those . 🥴
I must've been sleeping, lol. I like Simon & it's the first time I've seen him. I've only seen this series with Ruth.
Btw: seems the spa didn't stay in the plans. I don't see any mention of it on their website (Sept. 2022)
This place could generate lots of money if the owners are open to it. 1100 acres? Plenty to build off of. Cyclists, runners, walking trails, a spa, and hunting…….plenty of possible avenues. I hope they consider Simon’s advice. Unfortunate, there is no cottage on the property for the owners
This is from over a decade ago.
Do you/they have anything that's more current in 2022?
I think Janet thinks she is the Queen!! The scarf, the wellies and the Corgis!!
Friends of the Queen. Their circle…
She gives a Princess Anne aura
What about creating a horse event, track? That could be an outside business
I totally understand .I had this exact problem in England .in end lost the lot .Wake up its a slippery slope owning an historic family seat .I live in Europe now having been forced to move on
I don't feel sorry for the Viscount one bit! His family has used the land for centuries and enriched themselves! Yet, they failed to install a sense of community responsibility in their heirs!
At issue here is this "English" family is sitting on prime property they wrestled from the Irish eons ago! They don't want the community to see what they took away from them. It's like many well-healed families not wanting to admit their money came from being slavers abd colonists! Just horrible to think they want to sit on their bums demanding their privacy! Just horrible!
@@fredrika27 Looks like there about ready to loose it, one more generation maybe. “What gos around comes around”
@@katykopp674 lose it, not loose it.
I wouldn't move out of my house either. Id do the tours though.
Make a great HOTEL with the spa weight room come gym etc would suit many (old/young) people.
This guy has tie part therapist to help these people ..
Why doesn’t the brother and nephew start getting involved with money and sweat labour….. because Allan won’t let them?
You've got to be kidding me. Kudos on your restoration how long are you going to live there? They'll probably knock it down once you're dead. You can't take it with you!!! Philadelphia USA
Saving and preserving historic structures in Europe is why Americans are allowed to enjoy Downton Abbey, for example.
@@s.d.357 that doesn't really sound like a great reason. Preserve old rich people's houses to vicariously live through a soap opera?😕
Just because you're going to die, it doesn't mean you should live under a bridge.
Your attitude explains why US-cities and rural areas look as desolate and uniform as they do. Other than the beautiful landscape there is nothing to see there. Greetings from Europe
@@lillic8522 I agree. Here in the US, they tear down beautiful old unique buildings and houses and put up ugly modern concrete boxes in their place that all look the same. Europe does it right.
to see the couple just wanted to live there just the 2 of them, and in the future will it to one person! NEVER he will go bankrupt and the estate will began to rot again. wasn't very wise thinking.
Didn't they learn ANYTHING from Downton Abbey? 😀
Damn they bring in 300k a year and that not enough?!!!!
The costs are high. The roof replacement for one building was 150k.
Does the Country give grants to owners to save Historic Estates?
Simon is so handsome.
Thanks.
This guy doesn't seem to have the creativity of Ruth Watson, and somehow--shockingly--is even more rude. At least Ruth's frankness is twinged with humor and compassion.
Also he's an empty soulless shell
I agree, I’m really not impressed with him. He could only see that they had to open up the entire house and move out. He couldn’t see that there are lots of other possibilities to make money, and still keep the house for themselves.
So, the Viscount didn't like that the manager was honest with program and he fired her?! 😳 Total control freak.
Health and fitness does excites them and it should work for now anyway and carry on for awhile?! It wil maybe be alot of fun for them? They could have Healing Touch or Reiki too. Looks like it was a great idea for them right now and for a few years! This will be a popular Castle! People are into health now as they never want to grow old! The new thing! The best life and a nice recreational day when not at work.
The owners of these Estates all have the same problem as in they want people to give them a lot of money for the little they are willing to provide. They want to keep them as totally private family homes but, these days they can't do it. No one is going to pay a lot of money on seeing a garden and come back repeatedly.
First world problems or what. I’m five minutes in and already think they deserve to Loose the bloody place. “Oh we tried weddings - just too intrusive, we were locked away at the back and the house just isn’t big enough” ok then 🤔 that’s not all disgraceful. Tragic. Thank god these people don’t run the nation anymore. It would be as knackered as that house.
Why don't you settle for what you have instead of wasting time and energy directing envious comments on those who have more?
The asphalt in front of the house 🤔
This viscount is so typical of the British landed gentry. It is almost like this has been scripted beforehand. Apparently, being the sole owner of such an estate does something strange to a person's mind. Perhaps not going outside of the property in a sufficient way reduces one's acceptance levels.
why don't they do guided tours atleast? it's not as intrusive and tedious as a BnB
This man married a great woman. G-d bless them. I wished they had at least an heir.
I was. A postman .here. For. A. Few. Yes. Lord. And. Lady. Brooke borough. Are lovely. Generous. People
What the use having such heritage and not share with the community.
I started visioning, did not like it much. Miss the brilliant reflections of Ruth Watson. Good luck !
Good grief the lord and lady are too set in their ways and do not understand how to save this Estate. Sad, a bit like Tsar Nicholas before the revolution, cannot see the storm coming at them.
I hope all well
Tory member House of Lords? Maybe a couple corporate director seats?
🌹🌹🌹
Interesting
Please!!!! No more pompous Simon whoever he is! He is killing your show!
I think Denmark might need his help
What’s wrong with Denmark?!? I thought they were doing well.
Were these siezed lands by the british in ireland? Tragic history for native irish . The property looks unkept considering they have spent years living there
🤣
Northern Ireland is still apart of the UK let’s not go there too !!
Seized! Your spelling is atrocious
Nice people... but wanna be Queen, with her scarf & corgi. Haha
Janet looks like the late Ingrid Bergman