Art hotel near Barnstaple sold to new owners

A unique art hotel near Barnstaple has been sold after its owners decided to step back due to rising costs. 

Broomhill Estate, located in Muddiford, was purchased by American couple Alex and Michele Kleiner in November 2020 amid the pandemic. 

The Gazette reported in February this year that the couple were looking to sell their business due to escalating expenses.

The Kleiners transformed Broomhill into an art-centric boutique hotel, known for its unique collection of Hollywood movie props, music memorabilia, taxidermy, and over 200 sculptures displayed throughout its gardens. 

The estate became a creative hub, blending art and nature, hosting everything from the National Sculpture Prize to foraging workshops, stone-carving classes, and yoga retreats.

Broomhill Estate has now been purchased by NAKO Modular, a bespoke developer of luxury residential and holiday retreats across the UK and Europe. 

The purchase was completed at the end of July. 

NAKO plans to make a serious investment in the property, promising a design refresh that will enhance its offerings while maintaining its artistic essence. 

A spokesperson for NAKO said: “We are thrilled to be the new owners of Broomhill. Our team is eager to enhance an already impressive offering and reopen the estate for hotel guests and the community to enjoy once again. Over the next few months, we plan to introduce a series of thoughtful upgrades and modern amenities across the property, creating an elevated guest experience.”

As part of the transition, all of Broomhill’s current contents, including its extensive art collection and memorabilia, are being auctioned off through two separate companies: Lambert Smith Hampton and Busby Auctioneers. 

Bidding will close at noon on Thursday, 17 October, with collections set to take place at Broomhill from Wednesday, 23 October, to Friday, 25 October, between 10am and 4pm.

For enquiries about the auction or unsold items, interested parties can reach out via email at info@broomhill-estate.com.

Reflecting on their time at Broomhill, Alex and Michele Kleiner expressed pride in what they achieved during their ownership. 

They thanked their dedicated team, including Charlie Powell (GM and Art Coordinator), Head Chef Elio Dabe, and Restaurant Manager Josh Houben, among others, for helping foster affordable access to the arts and nature for the local community.

Alex said: “I’m so proud of what was accomplished at Broomhill over our 4 years with the property.

“We worked hard to foster affordable access to the arts and nature with a focus on the community. We proudly sponsored the National Sculpture Prize. We held workshops for foraging, lacto-fermentation, stone-carving, and cold-water dipping. We’ve had yoga retreats and multiple BAMs – Broomhill Artisan Markets. We were honoured to sponsor the final campout for Max Woosey (‘The Boy in the Tent’). We held a ‘Sexy Sci-Fi’ Halloween charity rave with our full-size Alien Queen Xenomorph and Predator. Our restaurant ‘Canvas’ received great reviews and was well on its way to serious accolades.”

Looking ahead, NAKO said: “Over the next few months, we plan to introduce a series of thoughtful upgrades and modern amenities across the property, creating an elevated guest experience.

“Given Broomhill’s importance to the North Devon community, a key objective is to preserve the unique character of the site, and for it to remain a beloved destination for years to come.”