Her-“I don’t have full time help with the children” Him-“But aren’t the children at boarding school” 💀👏🏻😂😂😂😂omg you can’t make this stuff up🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️😂
It’s wild how lazy these people actually are. Not this couple as much as others. But the fact that she said she’s busy with the kids and they are literally in boarding school was jarring.
Not surprised the estate is now up for sale.. these two just didnt have it in them.. To make these work and make you real work you have to well put in THE WORK... these two just want to have a leisurely life and money showing up in their bank accounts like magic. It doesnt work this way. Sucks cause I would have loved the opportunity to inherit such a place..
I am a self-described "history head" from America and wish I could visit such a property to view the paintings of their ancestors and have a tour guide explain the background of each. But perhaps I am fascinated because I don't live there in that country. I don't know. I would certainly pay to stay there. But for anyone to be successful they would REALLY have to enjoy sharing the family's history and would have to just really enjoy people in general. I don't think this family is that type. Just my opinion. Now, in 2022, it's up for sale. The future is uncertain.
I think people like too see statues in the garden and beauiful flowers and veg and show people round the garden and pretty things in the garden children like fairies elfs maidens animals
@@surreygirl2075Exactly! That dragon was such a good idea. Get the kids out there, dress people up as knights and ladies, and have them act out some stories. Or call that thing Beowulf and have school kids come out and read about Beowulf and act things out from the story. Or something. Sheesh.
So many people have had dreams of living in a castle, and shows like this expose you to the harsh reality of the costs of upkeep and living there. I just want to see the properties remain with people who love the property’s history and want to preserve it.
Yes!!!!...like my husband always saying..."What about my dream of living in a chateau?" I want to scream! "But we have lived in cold, old, unfinished and unworkable spaces and places our whole lives!" I just want to be warm, comfortable and financially secure.....not like these people, Living in the past and paying modern prices in a modern world. It's just like the people who have the fantasy of putting their family on a boat and sailing the world. Yes, literally that deadly! Especially to a marriage and well the stress takes years off your life I think.
They talk about the upkeep and repairs, but the 100% total and complete reason for money troubles for these owners is the crippling property tax charged by the government. That's the real reason they are forced to sell treasures each year and try these stupid business ideas. It's the government, not the upkeep.
If only each and every episode's solutions weren't almost identical. Solutions: Farmer's market, Wedding venue, Bed and Breakfast, Inn, Venue for businesses, etc...it all gets a bit stale. I just love seeing the homes and the people and fixing them up. The rest could be eliminated and it would be a better video. We all know about the rest.
always find it ironic that many of these families will be in desperate need of cash to upkeep these houses but still to this day will spend 40,000 pounds per child per year to put them through public school. Families who feel the need to give them that 'experience' will often rack up huge amounts of debt to just put their kids through these schools. Insane. Meldon Park was finally sold this year btw.
This is so because success in life is based on one's social network, over the long course, and the Cooksons hope their daughters benefit. Rather dreary conventionally, I know, but the family looks totally trodden path, to me.
As an equestrian, I would totally go on a riding holiday here. One other way to bring in extra revenue would be to encourage equestrians from abroad to come and ride, but offer horses to use daily for an extra charge or part of a package deal.
The owners are always so frustrating.. they complain about money but won’t do what needs to be done! They have the attitude of gentleman of leisure from years of sitting on their laurels. I hope this family pulls it together.
@@twistoffate4791 I would have seperated the property into 2 possibly 4 and made well over two million. There was potential as a successfull buisness too. // I dont heat half my house and use just two rooms on the ground floor at present at home, my property is 300sqm and just us two.
Would be great if they had a camping area near that stream for summer, maybe some bike riding paths and hire out electric bikes. Add in a play area like sand netball court, large chess etc then maybe build a dorm for school groups to come visit learn about restoration projects, gardening and horses.
@fotter9567 Not really they could make dorm accom look like a barn, it would only be in use in summer months and if it saves the house from disrepair maybe its not such a bad idea. A dorm could also be used to house people who might want to work on learning old skills like making cornice or other traditional skills.
its always fascinating how much the locals seem to rally around these houses and legitimately enjoy visiting them and helping the families. is it mostly for this show, or is it just a british thing and they really do love these old houses that much?
people must have forgotten how the aristocrats of the past few hundred year's would have lavish dinners and balls, while the poor starved, worked and lived in horrid conditions. A twelve thousand pound party back then could have helped so many people in desperate situations. I wouldn't go try and invest money in one of these old money pits, costs are just so much higher now than 200 year's ago.
The tenant farmers' livelihoods depend on the status quo being maintained. Should the property be sold, their tenancies may end as the estate could be broken up, which could result in them losing their homes and businesses (farming).
I have friends who live and work in a country house and the entire village loves it. It's like an identity badge. It's a beautiful house and it deserves it's affection.
I would definitely do more with the "horse business". Maybe rent out the stables and even build additional stables to rent out. They could also build more outbuildings to rent out on a permanent basis. And a small cafe/general-store would probably do well. Considering the size of the total property, they only need to improve their net margins by a small percentage to have the place break even.
Totally agree especially on the last point they need 40,000 to break even they have 81 tenants if they increased rent by 500 pounds per year on average that would do it. Selling off a tiny bit of their land for 100,000 and they have enough to do the renovations and the horse idea that I do think is very good, wouldn't even be needed.
When I was a student mental health nurse, I remember visiting a person in the most incredible grand Hall. They lived in one room, the rest of the house was collapsed and unusable. The owner had inherited it from their family, they couldn't afford the upkeep and this had led to them attempting suicide on several occasions and then living with a severe and enduring depression- which in turn didn't help, what little motivation and ability to get it sorted was wiped out by their mental ill health. It made me think about the burden our well meaning loved ones can place on us. Even down to personal belongings, when a person dies, relatives don't know what held meaning and can be scared to throw things away, gathering piles of meaningless stuff through their lives fearful of upsetting the dead.
nopes , the amount of money these houses and especially the land costs is mind blowing even the taxes on these propertys drive most normal human beings into bankrupcy
Still miss Northumberland - sad to say, as of May '23, Meldon Park is up for SALE - with 36-acres - such a shame, but typical of so many fine estates in the area - you need very deep pockets to keep these places viable. Hope they sell for a good price & the new owners will respect such a fine slice of Northumberland history.
"Unfortunately, the tenant farms, forestry and other businesses only bring in $600,000...." I'm sorry, but that is a LOT of money. What we have here is a spending problem not a revenue problem. They are clearing more than enough to maintain and repair this house and are doing so without opening the home.
In my home town in South Africa, you can get a HUGE home with a pool and tennis court for 600 000. I know its different in different countries, but 600 000is a bucketload. These people need financial management advice.
Not surprised they were not able to organize a business. Look at the state of the kitchen and coat room. With their children in boarding school they could take the time to clean and organize their home. Stop complaining and get on with it. The husband held all the money and was not at all supportive to his wife.
A fountain would look spectacular, I feel that would make those gardens. Also an Italian ice cream parlour in the summer months. James seemed to just want to live there and jolly on as a normal family, but as Simon said, a place that size really HAS to be run as a business to pay for its upkeep. Emily is an absolute star, love her.❤
In may 2022 Meldon Park was up for sale for the first time since 1835 for a guide price of 3,5 million. ( it’s a steal) So sad the family couldn’t afford to keep it anymore.
It is also clear that generational properties like these should just be sold unless the current generation has an income to match the wealth of the original owners. Its an absurd house to try and keep as a home unless you are making huge money. Just sell it would be my advice buy a luxury 5 bed somewhere that is brand new, stack of extra cash in the bank and no worries. Kids can inherit a modern house not a burden.
@@rorymilsom1491 Sure is, but they are probably blind to their options as they are day to day just trying to survive in the big mansion. There is an entire world out there, different building types styles and views and living generation to generation int the same house regardless of how big is pretty tragic. Would you want to live in your parents house until you die?
@@eugeniustheodidactus8890 Alot of these historic houses would've struggled terribly during lockdowns - alot of businesses being based around tourism and vistors did.
What this shows is how decidedly average and in most cases dim witted human beings, have for centuries, been lauded over the rest of the population, and that their real contribution to the world has been little to nothing. New money and market forces have now overtaken such people ... and have revealed them to be worth, naught!
@@utubecomment21 Cookson, who built the house, was a merchant, not an aristocrat. He worked for his wealth, so he probably wasn't average or dim witted. The only dim witted thing here is your copy-pasted commenting.
„I don‘t have full time help for the children.“ But your kids are in boarding school.“ I raised 8 kids (3 girls at once AND ran a home business. And schooled them, too, through 8th grade. She’s not using her time well. I hope they succeeded! Beautiful place, good ideas. And what about glam camping and weddings?
16:14 >3000 acres! Not sure how much of it is could be fertile farm land but if it could support Corn...~142 bushels of corn per acre at currently ~$179 per bushel...>$25K per acre. Since they're selling firewood, they better be replanting trees.
This is SO sad, after all their efforts, I know they'll do all right out of it, but it's been in their family for generations, just be heartbreaking for them.
If the kids would be able to go to school locally and not boarding school the parents would save a lot of money and have the children at home to help out.
Not sure when this was filmed, but at that point all three children really were very young. And whilst I am sure they would like to help, the reality of kids who are barely past toddler stage, is that they would likely take more time to supervise than any effort they could make toward helping.
I love how these people have garnered grants to pay for huge renovations, have the funds to send their kids to boarding school. Being sarcastic, that said it's fun to get a look at these places and observe the human dynamics
I must say I was concerned about that - they got £240,000 for the unsuccessful cafe by the garden (the state has never given me anything for improvements or roofing to my home) and were complaining they lose £60k., Well I lost £240,000 on it - I the tax payer
Makes sense they couldn't make it work. Looking at Google maps I see they are truly out in the middle of nowhere, compared to Alnwick Garden (the successful business shown) which is in a city center.
"I have no full time help with the children" ..."yh, but they're at boarding school" did make me laugh 😂😂😂 that was a big reality check that you ma'am are not a struggling working mum! Regarding turning their home into a business, they have the passion and desire but they aren't built for this type of business. Far too much work. They looked really overwhelmed. This needs a skilled manager or management team.
Having watched a considerable amount of pressure washing lately, it would be a dream to see all that grime and algae being blasted off the exterior. Even the main entrance would profit from losing the abandoned haunted mansion look 😅
@@KNYD I never said walls tho. I'm talking about the ground and the gates. I do historical monument restoration. Where I live our masonry is not the same but I still know that the only way to treat it with confidence would be with a biological solution. We did a cistercian abbey with quite a lot of success this way! Soft wash and d2 is the key! 😅 (And key to your wallet 🙃)
@@_Julie_Bee The power washer guy I contacted said he now "soft washes" the exterior of houses instead of the old power washing method. He told me that water would hit the crack under the eaves, leaving water that would cause dampness & eventually mold up in the attic. I had no idea, of course. I was just relieved to hear he still had a way to clear away the green on my home's exterior. (In fact, I WISH the owner of a house I pass on my way home would hire him because their house has looked pretty bad for years now & it drives me a bit nutty, lol.)
@@twistoffate4791 yeah, a lot of pressure washing services have turned to soft washing, but use more bleach. And that too can cause issues lol And yeah, some houses, we just dream of seeing getting a good scrub. That's why the online videos are so popular I guess 😅
I would move away from oil and gas straight away, lock down two thirds of the house and get energy efficient heaters for that living third. Open up the rest on Saturdays for 5pounds with coffee and scones. Also sell 50 acres for a bit of extra cash.
Since his ancestors didn't leave deep buckets of money, why worry about moving on? I can't imagine being a prisoner to a house and being forced to become an events planner. You only have one life! And what about saving for retirement?
Some Of these ppl could host discounted tiny home lots for ppl who would want to work the property etc // they could provide fresh produce to local restaurants instead of someone making one on site
Well done. They seemed to get things together. 1 idea could be to have local artists to display their works somewhere on the property. At the end would be a great place to put some sort of statue and have the artist's name and business info and charge say 200 lbs/month to have it on display. If that works add more areas for others to display sculptures too. The bonus would be free added visual appeal to the garden and cafe area.
IKR? Have a little art, music and garden festival. Sell food, drinks, pony rides, whatever. Rent out a few stalls for handmade goods like jewelry, knit and crocheted items, etc.
I love how in the comments suddenly everybody is a huge financial expert and easily tells people who they hardly know anything about that they're lazy and they'd do it so much better.
If I was out and about driving and it was raining or stormy, , I'd beg for a 'Cafe' to be open, where I could sit and ponder what to purchase..And the longer I stayed, the more obliged I would feel to buy more bits and pieces. Nice place.
Im happy for this lovely couple. I’ve opened 2 cafe/restaurants in my life. I know the journey well. Frustration,heartbreak. And weeks without drawing a wage🤬🤬🤬🤬🤣
_"I don't have full time help for the children"..... "Your children are at boarding school"_ LOL!!!🤣😂🤣😂 Me thinks some people might be a bit lazy, but maybe she just doesn't have the confidence...🙄
“Kids are at boarding school” think of all of the working moms who kids go to school locally yet they do fine. People who come from money or old families never learned to think outside the box or even try something different… they lack entrepreneurial abilities due to their narrow mindedness!
The comment below is correct that stately homes can only be maintained wealthy people. Many of these homes were given to nobility by the King or were built by factory owners during the Industrial Revolution. After that income was lost then the owners must make money from the home and garden whether they like it or not. I would certainly pay money to visit the garden, although I would not eat at the cafe, no one wears hair nets and it doesn't look sanitary.
All the buildings and roads on the estate have to be maintained, machinery etc on farms all has to be paid for somehow. Tenants don’t have to look after their houses, that’s down to the landlord.
@@wscpr Depends on the lease deal and the renter will provide whatever is needed to work the land, not the landlord. The sheep, cattle, chickens, pigs, whatever are not owned by the landlord.
I had to laugh, because I have been doing some home maintenance and renovations on my house in the last two years. My home is in the USA and about 45 years old. It's been very expensive, but if you don't do it, you have the same issues no matter what size your house. A leaky or damaged roof is not good for any home!
And under offer too. Hopefully it will go to a family who has the money and enthusiasm to give this lovely house a new lease of life rather than to an investor who will carve it up.
Not wanting people there all the time is a bit ridiculous, it's a massive plot, you could section off a private part and run the business on the grounds, is actually idyllic, the woman doesn't seem to see how much it costs to run.
18:55 ....... ten pound an hour to heat the place ........ and all the curtains are open ...... heavy lined drapes WITH PELMETS ..... have a heat retention of 37%.......
update. The house and grounds were sold in Dec 2022. They tried to sell it for 4 million. But they had to accept an offer that was up to 3.5 million. No doubt they will continue to bleed money - still paying out huge amounts on the expensive boarding schools for the children and the huge upkeep for their horses. Eventually they will end up as poor elderly citizens and still lazy and snobby. The Crown granted the estate to the Greenwich Hospital, by whom it was sold in 1832 for £55,000 to Isaac Cookson, a wealthy Newcastle upon Tyne merchant. Cookson was Mayor of Newcastle in 1809 and High Sheriff of Northumberland in 1838. In 1881, the Cookson family lived in some style with eighteen servants. Hope that the new owners are far more enterprising than the Cooksons.
They have enough acreage and expertise to host an eventing meet every year. That could be a real money spinner and the first thing I'd have tried. Unfortunately a city consultant isn't going to think of that.
@@mdorn6592 It wasn't, and it wasn't written in a way that's remotely reminiscent of correct English or reflective of either what was said or the way it was said.
I completely understand James' reticence after two failures and the money just not adding up. Two things: It takes money to make money and to make money you have to go big. None of this little selling bits of things and thinking small. A huge leap is terrifying, but it gets things done the right way for the possibility of real success. Emily, left to her own competence, grew wings and flew high! When I saw the horses and the stable, I instantly thought of how big horsey stuff is in Britain and how they should develop that before all else. Then Simon goes and suggests it, albeit secondarily. I think there will be more money in that than in the garden; horse people have lots of money, usually, and they will want to stay over maybe for days.
@@philippacrowe8499 Horses are unreliable or money is unreliable? I did say "usually". Perhaps I should say, for the enterprise in the video, that rich people often have horses because they are rich and horses cost a lot of money. It's the wealthy they must target for their enterprise.
I just googled this place and it seems these people did give up and sell in 2022. You can rent that cottage for a really cheap price on ABNB from different current owners. so sad these people just gave up;-(
Surrounded by 36 acres of historic parkland near the River Wansbeck, Meldon Park is a glorious country estate set in spectacular countryside. Penny Churchill takes a look. For sale for the first time since it was completed in 1835, secluded, Grade II*-listed Meldon Park sits in 36 acres of historic wooded parkland overlooking an ancient deer park at the heart of the Cookson family’s 3,800-acre Meldon Park estate, six miles from the market town of Morpeth and 20 miles from Newcastle-upon-Tyne. This was in 2022...
@@jjefferyworboys8138 good for you…but point is, those who came before did no maintenance for decades placing an undo burden and stress on these folks.
If they are 40,000 short a year and need 100,000 to renovate the house. Removing the kids from boarding school would do that. If not that then they have 81 tennants so increased rent by 500 pounds post tax on average per tennant and sell off £100,000 worth of land, which would be much less than 1% of the land they have and if they don't even want to give up that tiny amount get planning permission and sell that on, all you'd be selling off then is the space for 1 to 4 houses and gardens worth of land, depending on what land with planning permission goes for in that area of the country.
“Kids are at boarding school” think of all of the working moms who kids go to school locally yet they do fine. People who come from money or old families never learned to think outside the box or even try something different… they lack entrepreneurial abilities due to their narrow mindedness!
I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT PEOPLE THAT OWN THESE GRAND HOUSES DID NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT MAINTAINING THEM, AFTER SEEING SO MANY VIDEOS AND THE STRUGGLES THAT PEOPLE GO THROUGH TO KEEP UP WITH THESE HISTORIC HOMES IT MAKES ME FEEL SAD FOR THEM BECAUSE I KNOW IT TAKES A LOT OF TIME, MONEY AND EFFORT TO KEEP UP WITH THOSE HISTORIC HOMES AND FOR WHAT I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF THEM DO NOT HAVE THE FUNDS OR THE "DESIRE" TO KEEP UP WITH THE LEGACY THAT WAS LEFT BY THEIR ANCESTORS.
Her-“I don’t have full time help with the children”
Him-“But aren’t the children at boarding school”
💀👏🏻😂😂😂😂omg you can’t make this stuff up🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️😂
No, you can't 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
My gob dropped at that 😮
That was hilarious! Poor woman! Lol😂
I wonder how much money these people could save if they didn’t pay for overpriced child care called boarding school for three young children.
Lool
It’s wild how lazy these people actually are. Not this couple as much as others. But the fact that she said she’s busy with the kids and they are literally in boarding school was jarring.
how much do the schools cost
@@jackiewood1603 ca. 15.000£ pro trimester.
To be fair, the kids will be home for all the busy weeks of the year.
They are both a bit thick.
no they are lazy as well they ended up selling the place in 2022
Not surprised the estate is now up for sale.. these two just didnt have it in them.. To make these work and make you real work you have to well put in THE WORK... these two just want to have a leisurely life and money showing up in their bank accounts like magic. It doesnt work this way. Sucks cause I would have loved the opportunity to inherit such a place..
I am a self-described "history head" from America and wish I could visit such a property to view the paintings of their ancestors and have a tour guide explain the background of each. But perhaps I am fascinated because I don't live there in that country. I don't know. I would certainly pay to stay there. But for anyone to be successful they would REALLY have to enjoy sharing the family's history and would have to just really enjoy people in general. I don't think this family is that type. Just my opinion. Now, in 2022, it's up for sale. The future is uncertain.
I think people like too see statues in the garden and beauiful flowers and veg and show people round the garden and pretty things in the garden children like fairies elfs maidens animals
@@surreygirl2075Exactly! That dragon was such a good idea. Get the kids out there, dress people up as knights and ladies, and have them act out some stories. Or call that thing Beowulf and have school kids come out and read about Beowulf and act things out from the story. Or something. Sheesh.
So many people have had dreams of living in a castle, and shows like this expose you to the harsh reality of the costs of upkeep and living there. I just want to see the properties remain with people who love the property’s history and want to preserve it.
I think it was on the market this year.
Yes!!!!...like my husband always saying..."What about my dream of living in a chateau?"
I want to scream!
"But we have lived in cold, old, unfinished and unworkable spaces and places our whole lives!"
I just want to be warm, comfortable and financially secure.....not like these people,
Living in the past and paying modern prices in a modern world.
It's just like the people who have the fantasy of putting their family on a boat and sailing the world.
Yes, literally that deadly!
Especially to a marriage and well the stress takes years off your life I think.
They talk about the upkeep and repairs, but the 100% total and complete reason for money troubles for these owners is the crippling property tax charged by the government. That's the real reason they are forced to sell treasures each year and try these stupid business ideas. It's the government, not the upkeep.
If only each and every episode's solutions weren't almost identical. Solutions: Farmer's market, Wedding venue, Bed and Breakfast, Inn, Venue for businesses, etc...it all gets a bit stale. I just love seeing the homes and the people and fixing them up. The rest could be eliminated and it would be a better video. We all know about the rest.
Make me appreciate my rural Oregonian 1934 cottage even more!
The host is straight talker. I LOVE IT!!!!!
always find it ironic that many of these families will be in desperate need of cash to upkeep these houses but still to this day will spend 40,000 pounds per child per year to put them through public school. Families who feel the need to give them that 'experience' will often rack up huge amounts of debt to just put their kids through these schools. Insane.
Meldon Park was finally sold this year btw.
And it’s traumatizing to the children.
Well the kids get valuable contacts in school and parent can be free from their kids for most of the year. Win win
This is so because success in life is based on one's social network, over the long course, and the Cooksons hope their daughters benefit. Rather dreary conventionally, I know, but the family looks totally trodden path, to me.
Well I imagine that,s true. It's the same all over.
I was rooting for them, and they ended up sellimg
As an equestrian, I would totally go on a riding holiday here. One other way to bring in extra revenue would be to encourage equestrians from abroad to come and ride, but offer horses to use daily for an extra charge or part of a package deal.
Hopefully the new owners will keep up the equestrian operations.
When I heard that the kids were at boarding school was when my attitude changed. U better werk gurl!
These videos play out like a beautiful written short story. The Music communicates more than words.
The owners are always so frustrating.. they complain about money but won’t do what needs to be done! They have the attitude of gentleman of leisure from years of sitting on their laurels. I hope this family pulls it together.
It was on the market this year !
@@pauljames9393 Correct you are.
@@twistoffate4791 I would have seperated the property into 2 possibly 4 and made well over two million. There was potential as a successfull buisness too. // I dont heat half my house and use just two rooms on the ground floor at present at home, my property is 300sqm and just us two.
@@pauljames9393 That is a great idea.
Unfortunately the Cafe is permanently closed & place is for sale.
Three children at boarding school, how nice to be able to afford that. No money problems there.
I'm still trying to work out how the two of them even brought them into the world......
Would be great if they had a camping area near that stream for summer, maybe some bike riding paths and hire out electric bikes. Add in a play area like sand netball court, large chess etc then maybe build a dorm for school groups to come visit learn about restoration projects, gardening and horses.
@fotter9567 Not really they could make dorm accom look like a barn, it would only be in use in summer months and if it saves the house from disrepair maybe its not such a bad idea. A dorm could also be used to house people who might want to work on learning old skills like making cornice or other traditional skills.
Their failure was an air of entitlement, no business acumen and not them not being prepared to put the work in
its always fascinating how much the locals seem to rally around these houses and legitimately enjoy visiting them and helping the families. is it mostly for this show, or is it just a british thing and they really do love these old houses that much?
people must have forgotten how the aristocrats of the past few hundred year's would have lavish dinners and balls, while the poor starved, worked and lived in horrid conditions. A twelve thousand pound party back then could have helped so many people in desperate situations. I wouldn't go try and invest money in one of these old money pits, costs are just so much higher now than 200 year's ago.
@@died4us590 People don't forget, they accept their place in society.
It’s a British thing definitely, we love our architecture and history and we all strive to save it as best we can as a community.
The tenant farmers' livelihoods depend on the status quo being maintained. Should the property be sold, their tenancies may end as the estate could be broken up, which could result in them losing their homes and businesses (farming).
I have friends who live and work in a country house and the entire village loves it. It's like an identity badge. It's a beautiful house and it deserves it's affection.
I would definitely do more with the "horse business". Maybe rent out the stables and even build additional stables to rent out. They could also build more outbuildings to rent out on a permanent basis. And a small cafe/general-store would probably do well. Considering the size of the total property, they only need to improve their net margins by a small percentage to have the place break even.
Totally agree especially on the last point they need 40,000 to break even they have 81 tenants if they increased rent by 500 pounds per year on average that would do it. Selling off a tiny bit of their land for 100,000 and they have enough to do the renovations and the horse idea that I do think is very good, wouldn't even be needed.
When I was a student mental health nurse, I remember visiting a person in the most incredible grand Hall. They lived in one room, the rest of the house was collapsed and unusable. The owner had inherited it from their family, they couldn't afford the upkeep and this had led to them attempting suicide on several occasions and then living with a severe and enduring depression- which in turn didn't help, what little motivation and ability to get it sorted was wiped out by their mental ill health.
It made me think about the burden our well meaning loved ones can place on us. Even down to personal belongings, when a person dies, relatives don't know what held meaning and can be scared to throw things away, gathering piles of meaningless stuff through their lives fearful of upsetting the dead.
so true
What a beautiful comment
I think the horse idea is great. Even using their horses for trail rides. I just found this channel yesterday and I love it!
Yes. I've been seeing so many great ideas here for ppl with land, ballrooms, or other assets.
600,000 per year in revenues and that's not enough?
nopes , the amount of money these houses and especially the land costs is mind blowing even the taxes on these propertys drive most normal human beings into bankrupcy
Still miss Northumberland - sad to say, as of May '23, Meldon Park is up for SALE - with 36-acres - such a shame, but typical of so many fine estates in the area - you need very deep pockets to keep these places viable. Hope they sell for a good price & the new owners will respect such a fine slice of Northumberland history.
It went on sale in 2022 for 3.5 M pounds. I wish the family the very best.
"Unfortunately, the tenant farms, forestry and other businesses only bring in $600,000...." I'm sorry, but that is a LOT of money. What we have here is a spending problem not a revenue problem. They are clearing more than enough to maintain and repair this house and are doing so without opening the home.
That’s £ not $!
In my home town in South Africa, you can get a HUGE home with a pool and tennis court for 600 000. I know its different in different countries, but 600 000is a bucketload. These people need financial management advice.
They clearly need a finance expert like you to walk them through their errors
What is that dude doin with the 600 grand?????
I guess u didn't listen , 600k in but that covers running everything but the house
Not surprised they were not able to organize a business. Look at the state of the kitchen and coat room. With their children in boarding school they could take the time to clean and organize their home. Stop complaining and get on with it. The husband held all the money and was not at all supportive to his wife.
The horse stables could be very profitable. He should arrange riding tours for people who do not own horse.
I'm so glad I found this link. I really enjoy the tug of war between Simon and the home/castle owner!
36:59 - The sweet moment when Emily gets an 'uplifting' log stump! 👆🆙😁
A fountain would look spectacular, I feel that would make those gardens. Also an Italian ice cream parlour in the summer months. James seemed to just want to live there and jolly on as a normal family, but as Simon said, a place that size really HAS to be run as a business to pay for its upkeep. Emily is an absolute star, love her.❤
In may 2022 Meldon Park was up for sale for the first time since 1835 for a guide price of 3,5 million. ( it’s a steal) So sad the family couldn’t afford to keep it anymore.
$4,121,600
Also interesting to note that the cafe/garden is not included in the sale, although I can't work out if it's still open and running...
And I see in Nov 2022 it is "under offer" now so probably exchanging contracts soon.
@@twistoffate4791 glad it made more!!
Seriously ..all these slackers for generations did no repairs just let it go .shame on those who came before then
What A Beautiful House. Keep your faith. Good luck to you and your lovely family.
If you watch many of these episodes, it's clear weddings are one of the top earners.
It is also clear that generational properties like these should just be sold unless the current generation has an income to match the wealth of the original owners. Its an absurd house to try and keep as a home unless you are making huge money. Just sell it would be my advice buy a luxury 5 bed somewhere that is brand new, stack of extra cash in the bank and no worries. Kids can inherit a modern house not a burden.
@@anyexpat Their choice
@@rorymilsom1491 Sure is, but they are probably blind to their options as they are day to day just trying to survive in the big mansion. There is an entire world out there, different building types styles and views and living generation to generation int the same house regardless of how big is pretty tragic. Would you want to live in your parents house until you die?
So amazing to see Meldon Estate flourishing in 2022!
its on sale for 3.5 million pounds
@@zzx532 hah!
He heyyy
Oooooh
@@eugeniustheodidactus8890 Alot of these historic houses would've struggled terribly during lockdowns - alot of businesses being based around tourism and vistors did.
It appears the class system is still alive and well in England.
What this shows is how decidedly average and in most cases dim witted human beings, have for centuries, been lauded over the rest of the population, and that their real contribution to the world has been little to nothing. New money and market forces have now overtaken such people ... and have revealed them to be worth, naught!
How so? Titles and that faff? I think all countries has classes?
@@basstrammel1322The scene with the tenants at the pub speaking in their working class accents about how to save their landlord’s estate was a hoot.
@@utubecomment21 Cookson, who built the house, was a merchant, not an aristocrat. He worked for his wealth, so he probably wasn't average or dim witted. The only dim witted thing here is your copy-pasted commenting.
@@mikaelb.2070They were forced to sell a while back…
„I don‘t have full time help for the children.“
But your kids are in boarding school.“
I raised 8 kids (3 girls at once AND ran a home business. And schooled them, too, through 8th grade.
She’s not using her time well.
I hope they succeeded! Beautiful place, good ideas.
And what about glam camping and weddings?
They didn't succeed, the place was sold a couple of years ago.
16:14 >3000 acres! Not sure how much of it is could be fertile farm land but if it could support Corn...~142 bushels of corn per acre at currently ~$179 per bushel...>$25K per acre. Since they're selling firewood, they better be replanting trees.
Brilliant to refocus the couple's attention and efforts on the assets they already have in place.
Oh my goodness. Just checked online. Ten years on its up for sale!!
This is SO sad, after all their efforts, I know they'll do all right out of it, but it's been in their family for generations, just be heartbreaking for them.
The depth of the brow furrows says it all! Stately homes are hungry beasts and were never meant to be sustained by the resident family alone.
£180 a time to take the public through the house, on occasions! Wow!
beautifulI'll love to see when everybody in the community comes together and has something to give so great
If the kids would be able to go to school locally and not boarding school the parents would save a lot of money and have the children at home to help out.
Not sure when this was filmed, but at that point all three children really were very young. And whilst I am sure they would like to help, the reality of kids who are barely past toddler stage, is that they would likely take more time to supervise than any effort they could make toward helping.
People of that class would rather starve than send their children to local schools.
@@kittiesshortie5011 LOL...
Sorry Kathryn but people like these don’t want their children at home full time. Much easier to be a parent with children away for most of the year. X
@@elizabethcrowley3321 quite sad to have children and not want to be parents.
watching rich people be told they may have to do more work than sit at a desk is really amusing.
You realise that a huge part of people earn their living by sitting at a desk?
hello this house is a historical monument it deserves respect every little corner incredible what is in your hands will be saved in MY hand 🌹🌹
She has more excuses than some one on trial😑
Great comment!
Horse weekend business is great. You have such beautiful and stylish manner. Go for it❤❤❤
I love how these people have garnered grants to pay for huge renovations, have the funds to send their kids to boarding school. Being sarcastic, that said it's fun to get a look at these places and observe the human dynamics
I totally agree about the expensive boarding school and not having the kids locally to help out.
I must say I was concerned about that - they got £240,000 for the unsuccessful cafe by the garden (the state has never given me anything for improvements or roofing to my home) and were complaining they lose £60k., Well I lost £240,000 on it - I the tax payer
Don't forget...they also have 40 tenants! That sounds like a good profit right there
@@staceykersting705 it was over 80 tennants!
Makes sense they couldn't make it work. Looking at Google maps I see they are truly out in the middle of nowhere, compared to Alnwick Garden (the successful business shown) which is in a city center.
Love these shows about the beautiful old manors. It would be nice to show the dates of the filming.
She said they moved in in 2001 and have been there 10 years
Stated January 2012 at 04.14
Looks like the house is up for sale at 3.5 million. It's a shame really.
I need to help with the children !!!! I wonder do they remember their names ???
She couldn't remember they were away, even after being reminded several times!
I'm happy to have done some research and they are still going strong with the business in January 2023
So it didn't sell then when it was listed?
"I have no full time help with the children" ..."yh, but they're at boarding school" did make me laugh 😂😂😂 that was a big reality check that you ma'am are not a struggling working mum!
Regarding turning their home into a business, they have the passion and desire but they aren't built for this type of business. Far too much work. They looked really overwhelmed. This needs a skilled manager or management team.
Having watched a considerable amount of pressure washing lately, it would be a dream to see all that grime and algae being blasted off the exterior. Even the main entrance would profit from losing the abandoned haunted mansion look 😅
You should never power wash walls. It can damage the exterior which leads to water damage.
@@KNYD I never said walls tho. I'm talking about the ground and the gates. I do historical monument restoration. Where I live our masonry is not the same but I still know that the only way to treat it with confidence would be with a biological solution. We did a cistercian abbey with quite a lot of success this way! Soft wash and d2 is the key! 😅 (And key to your wallet 🙃)
@@_Julie_Bee The power washer guy I contacted said he now "soft washes" the exterior of houses instead of the old power washing method. He told me that water would hit the crack under the eaves, leaving water that would cause dampness & eventually mold up in the attic. I had no idea, of course. I was just relieved to hear he still had a way to clear away the green on my home's exterior. (In fact, I WISH the owner of a house I pass on my way home would hire him because their house has looked pretty bad for years now & it drives me a bit nutty, lol.)
@@twistoffate4791 yeah, a lot of pressure washing services have turned to soft washing, but use more bleach. And that too can cause issues lol
And yeah, some houses, we just dream of seeing getting a good scrub. That's why the online videos are so popular I guess 😅
@@_Julie_Bee All true, lol!! Cheers!!
I would move away from oil and gas straight away, lock down two thirds of the house and get energy efficient heaters for that living third. Open up the rest on Saturdays for 5pounds with coffee and scones. Also sell 50 acres for a bit of extra cash.
Can u do this with a listed property?
@@dotcassilles1488 They couldn't force you to heat your home like the 19th century surely...
You can’t sell the land geez!
@@MehEmail Why not? 🤔
Since his ancestors didn't leave deep buckets of money, why worry about moving on? I can't imagine being a prisoner to a house and being forced to become an events planner. You only have one life! And what about saving for retirement?
His ancestors did earn the money to create the place & he had the potential to make a living before his inherentance.
Some Of these ppl could host discounted tiny home lots for ppl who would want to work the property etc // they could provide fresh produce to local restaurants instead of someone making one on site
Apathy is the key word
Well done. They seemed to get things together. 1 idea could be to have local artists to display their works somewhere on the property. At the end would be a great place to put some sort of statue and have the artist's name and business info and charge say 200 lbs/month to have it on display. If that works add more areas for others to display sculptures too. The bonus would be free added visual appeal to the garden and cafe area.
IKR? Have a little art, music and garden festival. Sell food, drinks, pony rides, whatever. Rent out a few stalls for handmade goods like jewelry, knit and crocheted items, etc.
Chuck them out and give it to the national trust.
I love how in the comments suddenly everybody is a huge financial expert and easily tells people who they hardly know anything about that they're lazy and they'd do it so much better.
If I was out and about driving and it was raining or stormy, , I'd beg for a 'Cafe' to be open, where I could sit and ponder what to purchase..And the longer I stayed, the more obliged I would feel to buy more bits and pieces. Nice place.
Im happy for this lovely couple. I’ve opened 2 cafe/restaurants in my life. I know the journey well. Frustration,heartbreak. And weeks without drawing a wage🤬🤬🤬🤬🤣
_"I don't have full time help for the children"..... "Your children are at boarding school"_ LOL!!!🤣😂🤣😂 Me thinks some people might be a bit lazy, but maybe she just doesn't have the confidence...🙄
“Kids are at boarding school” think of all of the working moms who kids go to school locally yet they do fine. People who come from money or old families never learned to think outside the box or even try something different… they lack entrepreneurial abilities due to their narrow mindedness!
@@bc6193 I think the scenario you paint is true in many cases. I guess there's the odd one/s that are still go-getters.
The comment below is correct that stately homes can only be maintained wealthy people. Many of these homes were given to nobility by the King or were built by factory owners during the Industrial Revolution. After that income was lost then the owners must make money from the home and garden whether they like it or not. I would certainly pay money to visit the garden, although I would not eat at the cafe, no one wears hair nets and it doesn't look sanitary.
600k revenue p.a. has to be spent for what ? Controlling tenants on 3800 acres?
I wondered that.
All the buildings and roads on the estate have to be maintained, machinery etc on farms all has to be paid for somehow. Tenants don’t have to look after their houses, that’s down to the landlord.
@@wscpr Depends on the lease deal and the renter will provide whatever is needed to work the land, not the landlord. The sheep, cattle, chickens, pigs, whatever are not owned by the landlord.
I had to laugh, because I have been doing some home maintenance and renovations on my house in the last two years. My home is in the USA and about 45 years old. It's been very expensive, but if you don't do it, you have the same issues no matter what size your house. A leaky or damaged roof is not good for any home!
UPDATE:
Meldon Park up for sale. 2022.
Oh, what a shame.
And under offer too. Hopefully it will go to a family who has the money and enthusiasm to give this lovely house a new lease of life rather than to an investor who will carve it up.
What a shame ,it looked a great place to visit
3.5 million
Probably getting divorced 🤷♀️
I'm surprised he didn't say the rooms were expensive at £450 because in the other episode he said that £275 was expensive
Not wanting people there all the time is a bit ridiculous, it's a massive plot, you could section off a private part and run the business on the grounds, is actually idyllic, the woman doesn't seem to see how much it costs to run.
18:55 ....... ten pound an hour to heat the place ........ and all the curtains are open ...... heavy lined drapes WITH PELMETS ..... have a heat retention of 37%.......
Wonderful....lovely.
update. The house and grounds were sold in Dec 2022.
They tried to sell it for 4 million. But they had to accept an offer that was up to 3.5 million.
No doubt they will continue to bleed money - still paying out huge amounts on the expensive boarding schools for the children and the huge upkeep for their horses. Eventually they will end up as poor elderly citizens and still lazy and snobby.
The Crown granted the estate to the Greenwich Hospital, by whom it was sold in 1832 for £55,000 to Isaac Cookson, a wealthy Newcastle upon Tyne merchant. Cookson was Mayor of Newcastle in 1809 and High Sheriff of Northumberland in 1838. In 1881, the Cookson family lived in some style with eighteen servants.
Hope that the new owners are far more enterprising than the Cooksons.
Sold it
I see this place went up for sale in May 2022, but I have no idea if it sold
Sold in 2022. Is now called Meldon Cottage.
Adapt or perish. Unfortunately most will perish.
Meldon Park was sold in 12/2022 for an asking price of 3.5 Mil. Pounds. What a bummer.
They have enough acreage and expertise to host an eventing meet every year. That could be a real money spinner and the first thing I'd have tried. Unfortunately a city consultant isn't going to think of that.
Good grief - the horse weekend will make a ton of money
They could have learned a lot from Dervaes Family Farm | The Urban Homestead about what can be done with just an acre
I'm watchin this Dervaes Family Farm RN...thanx! Fantastic!
good evening Adobe and looked at everything and so beautiful superior indisputable the history cannot die and I respect it is sacrifice 🙏☕🙏🥳🥳😻
I miss Ruth🥺
I prefer Simon
@@kenziej4301 I also much prefer Simon
I miss her too
I have to look after the children that are at boarding school?
What you have written makes no sense.
@@resnonverba137 Because that is exactly what Emily said...you're right, it does make no sense
@@mdorn6592 It wasn't, and it wasn't written in a way that's remotely reminiscent of correct English or reflective of either what was said or the way it was said.
@@resnonverba137 That is what she said though? Bet you don't get invited to many parties eh?
@@resnonverba137 Nice run on sentence Mr. Correct English
The women looks like she is physically in pain. She doesn’t look like she wants to be there.
She is very very strange. Closeted, I think.
I completely understand James' reticence after two failures and the money just not adding up. Two things: It takes money to make money and to make money you have to go big. None of this little selling bits of things and thinking small. A huge leap is terrifying, but it gets things done the right way for the possibility of real success. Emily, left to her own competence, grew wings and flew high! When I saw the horses and the stable, I instantly thought of how big horsey stuff is in Britain and how they should develop that before all else. Then Simon goes and suggests it, albeit secondarily. I think there will be more money in that than in the garden; horse people have lots of money, usually, and they will want to stay over maybe for days.
@virginiamoss7045 horse people generally don't have money they have horses lol and it's unreliable
@@philippacrowe8499 Horses are unreliable or money is unreliable? I did say "usually". Perhaps I should say, for the enterprise in the video, that rich people often have horses because they are rich and horses cost a lot of money. It's the wealthy they must target for their enterprise.
They say $4M pound estate, but 3,000+ acres is worth many many more millions
I just googled this place and it seems these people did give up and sell in 2022. You can rent that cottage for a really cheap price on ABNB from different current owners. so sad these people just gave up;-(
A basketball hoop in the grand hall?
The husband sounds like a baron😅
Surrounded by 36 acres of historic parkland near the River Wansbeck, Meldon Park is a glorious country estate set in spectacular countryside. Penny Churchill takes a look.
For sale for the first time since it was completed in 1835, secluded, Grade II*-listed Meldon Park sits in 36 acres of historic wooded parkland overlooking an ancient deer park at the heart of the Cookson family’s 3,800-acre Meldon Park estate, six miles from the market town of Morpeth and 20 miles from Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
This was in 2022...
Emily seems to have found her niech.
The problem with the owners of these places…they Don’t Work … they need to get real jobs
Real jobs are over rated. I retired at 50, my best career decision and never looked back. When you do what you enjoy, it's not work.
@@jjefferyworboys8138 good for you…but point is, those who came before did no maintenance for decades placing an undo burden and stress on these folks.
Nah! no-one needs 'real jobs'
@@jjefferyworboys8138 sadly they may need to spend decades sat down all day in an office now due to sadly selling the lovely house
If they are 40,000 short a year and need 100,000 to renovate the house. Removing the kids from boarding school would do that. If not that then they have 81 tennants so increased rent by 500 pounds post tax on average per tennant and sell off £100,000 worth of land, which would be much less than 1% of the land they have and if they don't even want to give up that tiny amount get planning permission and sell that on, all you'd be selling off then is the space for 1 to 4 houses and gardens worth of land, depending on what land with planning permission goes for in that area of the country.
At least they have clerical approval.😃
😂
😂😂😂😂that box, with all the stuff on the table, plus the table will not stand there for 5 minutes if your place were in south africa!! 😂😂😂❤
........It depends who manages it !
Looks like it's been for sale for 2 years. Maybe Paul McCartney should buy it.
Running a cafe is exhausting
What a terrible shame it's up for sale. !!! Looked good that it was going to really be very popular
I didn’t know Micheal McIntyre had a baby sister!!!
Old, beautifull house ....
“Kids are at boarding school” think of all of the working moms who kids go to school locally yet they do fine. People who come from money or old families never learned to think outside the box or even try something different… they lack entrepreneurial abilities due to their narrow mindedness!
They errrrr didnt errrr accomplish their goal….. errr they just sold the home errrrrr
I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT PEOPLE THAT OWN THESE GRAND HOUSES DID NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT MAINTAINING THEM, AFTER SEEING SO MANY VIDEOS AND THE STRUGGLES THAT PEOPLE GO THROUGH TO KEEP UP WITH THESE HISTORIC HOMES IT MAKES ME FEEL SAD FOR THEM BECAUSE I KNOW IT TAKES A LOT OF TIME, MONEY AND EFFORT TO KEEP UP WITH THOSE HISTORIC HOMES AND FOR WHAT I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF THEM DO NOT HAVE THE FUNDS OR THE "DESIRE" TO KEEP UP WITH THE LEGACY THAT WAS LEFT BY THEIR ANCESTORS.
WHY WOULDNT YOU THINK THEY WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO MAINTAIN THEM? WHO PAYS TO HAVE YOUR FURNACE FIXED.