6 hours Ago By [email protected] (Joe Griffin)
A converted Lincolnshire lighthouse turned holiday let with stunning views has scooped a national award. Owners, Douglas and Susan Hilton, are celebrating after winning Best Historic Property at the Sykes Gems Awards 2024 for their holiday home The Sir Peter Scott Lighthouse based in Sutton Bridge . The awards, run by staycation specialist Sykes Holiday Cottages, saw thousands of entries from across the UK and Ireland.
Douglas and Susan's keen interest in conservation and history, coupled with their background in construction, provided the ideal opportunity for bringing the lighthouse into the 21st century. After an extensive renovation, the couple began letting the property to holidaymakers in July 2023 and have received 47 bookings this year. Built in 1830, the lighthouse was once home to British conservationist and painter Sir Peter Scott.
Scott had a special interest in wildfowling and the property’s two ponds, designed by Douglas and Susan, are home to a collection of some of the rarest geese in the world. The lighthouse itself has been thoughtfully renovated to preserve its original features and is home to a unique circular dining room, winding staircase and sitting room with an original lintel, also known as a horizontal beam, carved by Sir Peter Scott in the wall beside the wood burner. Douglas said: "We’ve worked hard over the years to make The Sir Peter Scott Lighthouse a success, and we really enjoy meeting all the lovely guests that come through our doors.
We constantly get great feedback from our visitors, but an award like this is has given the team who manage it alongside us a huge boost. "Sir Peter Scott Lighthouse is incredibly precious to us and the local community, and letting it out to holidaymakers has allowed us to fund its maintenance. For anyone who might be thinking about getting into holiday letting, our advice is to go for it.
" James Shaw, managing director of Sykes Holiday Cottages, added: "It has been brilliant to see so many fantastic properties recognised in this year’s Sykes Gems Awards. We know how hard our owners work to ensure their properties remain at a high standard year-round and it is great to be able to reward their efforts. "While it was difficult to choose winners after receiving so many wonderful entries, The Sir Peter Scott Lighthouse was a clear front runner that delivers unforgettable breaks for guests.
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