"We look forward to seeing Dumbleton Hall re-emerge as a high-quality destination hotel in a resilient UK leisure market. While we are not usually known for development and refurbishment projects, given the strength of the borrower and asset, we are pleased to support Chatham Park Development and expand our portfolio"
- Jamie Russell - Ortus Secured Finance
Ortus Secured Finance has provided a structured senior debt facility to support the refinance and redevelopment of Dumbleton Hall Hotel, a Grade II listed country house in the Cotswolds.
Located near Evesham and set within 15.8 acres of parkland, the 34-bedroom property is undergoing a comprehensive renovation. Completion is expected in the third quarter of 2025, with the hotel set to reopen under the management of Bespoke Hotels.
The borrower, Chatham Park Development, acquired the site in April 2021. Based in the US, the firm brings significant development experience to the project. Westfort Advisors acted as financial adviser, while legal support was provided by Stevens & Bolton LLP.
The facility refinances a previous lender and enables continued investment in the building’s transformation. Once complete, Dumbleton Hall is expected to reposition as a high-end hospitality offering. Plans are also in place for a future phase of development in 2026, which will see the addition of 20 woodland lodges across the estate.
“This is exactly the kind of complex operational real estate transaction Ortus excels at,” said Jamie Russell, director at Ortus Secured Finance. “We were impressed by the borrower’s commitment to the scheme, their track record, and the level of progress already made.
“The structure ensures alignment on every drawdown and gives us strong visibility on the delivery path,” Russell continued. “We look forward to seeing Dumbleton Hall re-emerge as a high-quality destination hotel in a resilient UK leisure market. While we are not usually known for development and refurbishment projects, given the strength of the borrower and asset, we are pleased to support Chatham Park Development and expand our portfolio.”
Deepak Drubhra, co-founder of Westfort Advisors, explained: “This transaction presented several structural challenges – most notably the listed status of the asset and the need to refinance part-way through the development phase. Working closely with Ortus, we were able to agree a funding structure that balanced development risk and significantly improved the sponsor’s return on capital.
“Ortus’ pragmatic, solutions-led approach and ability to underwrite complexity were instrumental in closing the deal efficiently,” he added.
Robin Sheppard, president of Bespoke Hotels, noted, “Dumbleton Hall is a truly special property in one of the UK’s most iconic destinations. We’re delighted to be returning as operator and look forward to unveiling the next chapter in its storied history.
“Ortus’ commitment to seeing the redevelopment through has been instrumental in bringing this project to life,” Sheppard said.
The transaction adds to a growing list of Ortus’ recent deals across the hotel, care home and mixed-use sectors, underscoring the lender’s reputation for supporting complex real estate finance structures.
