Ian Morton decided to spend over £2m – including £750,000 from his pension – to help rescue a crumbling Yorkshire stately home that is now a £10.5m tourism business.
The 64-year-old has held his retirement savings in a small self-administered scheme (SSAS) pension – which allows the money to be invested in property – for several years and used this to fund a purchase and restoration of Marske Country Estate, North Yorkshire.
Ian, from Otley, West Yorkshire, has worked in the property industry for decades and has held his money in an SSAS – a type of pension set up by a limited company where a group of trustees control the investments collectively – because it gives the freedom to invest in commercial property.
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Do some foods leave
you feeling hungry rather than satiated? Experts say there are…
Foods that leave you hungrier
A bowl of cereal and glass of orange juice
More refined cereals are digested quickly, and fruit juice, whilst one of your five-a-day, contains less fibre than whole fruit. This might mean you find yourself hungry again within 1-2 hours of eating this breakfast.
No more orange juice. (Photo via pixaby)
It’s estimated ultra processed foods make up at least half of the average UK diet (Photo: Getty)
Swap the orange juice for a whole orange, the cereal for oats and milk or serve it with Greek yoghurt or a boiled egg. This would increase the fibre and protein content; two nutrients strongly linked with fullness.
Foods that leave you hungrier
Caption: Gail’s croissant
Image taken from https://gails.com/collections/breakfast/products/croissant
Croissants
These pastries are made primarily from refined flour and butter, and are relatively low in protein and fibre.
Toast and jam
It is mostly carbohydrate and without protein or fibre, it is digested quickly, leaving you feeling hungry.
Caption: Toasted bread and white background
Photographer: Daniel Tamas Mehes
Provider: Getty Images
Source: iStockphoto
Copyright: Minden jog fenntartva!
Yakitori’s on the menu at the Japanese restaurant – but what exactly is it? (Photo: Reuters)
Sushi
Shop-bought packs can contain a lot of white rice, which is digested quickly, and the protein content is often modest.
Foods that leave you hungrier
Sarawak laksa is one of many varieties of this noodle soup (Photo: Tham Kee Chuan/Getty)
Vegetable soup
On its own, it is often very low in protein and calories, so hunger can return quickly.
Pizza
Unless it’s loaded with veggies, it’s probably pretty low in fibre.
Best pizza in Britain named – and owner reveals the secret to its success (Photo: James Linsell Clark/SWNS)
The Government has announced that the sugar tax will be extended to milkshakes (Photo: Scott Suchman)
Smoothies
Liquids are generally less filling as they require little chewing which may not trigger satiety signals.
Foods that leave you hungrier
‘Aged 14, I started what I considered to be my own little business selling confectionary,’ writes Beauty Dhlamini (Photo: Getty)
Snack bars
They are ideal for a quick pick-me-up, but if reducing hunger is what you’re after, it’d be better to swap it out.
Low-fat yoghurt
A full-fat plain Greek yoghurt with berries and seeds tends to be much more filling due to the protein, fat and fibre.
Which yoghurts are the best options? (Unsplash)
Caption: BANGKOK, THAILAND – OCTOBER 17: A “KT Herbalist”, a Kratom cocktail made from Kratom, coffee and siamese herbs is seen at Teens of Thailand, a bar in Bangkok’s Chinatown on October 17, 2021 in Bangkok, Thailand. In April 2021, the start of Thailand’s third and most deadly wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Thai government banned the sale of alcohol in restaurants and bars, crippling the already suffering food and beverage industry. With a lack of government aid and support, some bars have shuttered their doors in hopes of reopening post-lockdown, while others shuttered their doors for good. But six months into Thailand’s most recent lockdown, Niks Anuman-Rajadhon, owner of Teens of Thailand, a gin bar located in a renovated shophouse in Bangkok’s Chinatown, decided that instead of waiting for the government to allow the sale of alcohol again, they would take advantage of Thailand’s recent legalization of Kratom. Kratom is a locally grown herbal drug with mild opioid and stimulant effects and was reclassified from a type-5 narcotic to a legal-to-grow herb in August 2021. While Thailand prepares for a tentative reopening on November 1st, the alcohol ban and curfew are set to continue, leaving business owners questioning if the country can revive its suffering tourism industry. (Photo by Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images)
Photographer: Lauren DeCicca
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Getty Images AsiaPac
Alcohol
On an empty stomach, it can actually increase your appetite.
What to eat instead
Instead of thinking about avoiding foods, think about what you can add to them.
- Add beans, lentils or shredded chicken to your vegetable soup and pasta.
- Thicken your smoothies with Greek yoghurt, chia seeds and oats.
- Apple slices with peanut butter, yogurt with berries and hummus with oat biscuits are better snack options than a pre-made snack bar.
- Have alcohol alongside a balanced meal containing protein and fibre.
How to age well
without pain
Will Harlow, a physiotherapist
for the over-50s and author of Independence for Life, shares
the key signs you’re ageing
badly – and what to do about it.
How to know
Ageing well is maintaining the ability to do what you want you want for as long as you want without needing help. Everyone is talking about longevity but what’s the point in living longer if the last decade is painful and you’re [totally] reliant on people?”
The signs to look out for
Senior woman on sofa feeling and suffering from back pain. – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
- The most obvious early warning sign of bad ageing is pain says Harlow.
- Another is losing confidence in doing daily tasks, which can quickly lead to a lack of independence.
- One call Harlow often receives is people calling after having a fall and struggling to get up.
4
How to age without pain
Many will worry about not saving enough for retirement (Photo: Alex Tihonov/Getty/Moment RF)
Not just stopping
When people retire, they often put their feet up and stop. Your body really is use it or lose it.
Sleep
Throughout our entire lives, Harlow says we need between seven and nine hours of sleep.
Naps before 1pm can lead to better cognitive performance in the following hours (Photo: Lord Henri Voton/Getty Images)
Caption: Maribel Ezcurra, 77, a retired milling machine mechanic, practices tai chi with fellow seniors in a park in the Playa neighborhood of Havana, Cuba, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
Photographer: Ramon Espinosa
Provider: AP
Source: AP
Social isolation
The lack of connection can increase the risk of premature death by
as much as 29 per cent.
Strength training
It really is the proxy for
overall independence.
The more muscle mass you have, the less chance of heart disease, diabetes, falls and even anxiety, depression and dementia.
Caption: This is a photo of a senior man helping his wife lift weights. See PA Feature HEALTH Physio. WARNING: This picture must only be used to accompany PA feature HEALTH Physio. PA Photo.Picture credit should read: Alamy/PA.
NOTE TO EDITORS: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature HEALTH Physio.
Photographer: Alamy
Provider: Alamy/PA
Source: PA
The brain can be linked to muscle mass too, Harlow says. It’s not just about being able to lift things. It gives you more energy, better sleep and you’ll look and feel better.
How to age without pain
Daily habits
Do short bursts of exercise, between 30 and 60 seconds, in otherwise dead time during the day.
Fit more walking into your day (Photo: andreswd/Getty/E+)
Sleep can affect your heart health (Photo: Flashpop/Getty/Digital Vision)
Stretch in bed
Take joints through a full range of motion for five minutes to loosen it before getting up.
Don’t crash diet
It can increase the decline of muscle mass and bone density, which needs to be avoided.
Calorie counting every day can be a pain (Photo: Getty)
How to age without pain
(Photo: Inga Erhan/ Gingagi/ Getty).
Protein
Harlow advises 1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight to stop muscle loss alongside resistance training.
Don’t wait
Harlow finds that many patients put off making a change to their lifestyle until their lives are consumed by pain.
Menstrual pain, woman with stomachache suffering from pms at home, endometriosis, cystitis and other diseases of the urinary system – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Caption: Close-up view of female jogger tying laces of her sport shoes before running exercise routine. Motivation, healthy lifestyle and fitness concept.
Photographer: Xavier Lorenzo
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Moment RF
Recovery
For most people, it’s about reducing the number of times per week you’re exercising, not reducing intensity.
The three ageing tests to do
- Lie completely flat on the floor and get back up to a standing position using any technique. This should take less than 10 seconds.
- See how many times you can sit on the chair and stand back up again in 30 seconds. Men should be aiming for more than 14 times and women 12.
- The single-leg stand, which involves standing on one leg and balancing for 10 seconds. Everyone should be able to do that and for those under 65, Harlow asks them to do it with their eyes closed.
Despite the job market hiring fewer entry-level roles, employers are still looking for grads…
But you should be prepared to keep an open mind.
We’ve compiled the sectors hiring graduate roles, what degree is required, and what they pay.
Plan 5 applies to students who began university courses on or after August 2023
(Photo: Abraham Gonzalez Fernandez/Getty Images/
Source: Moment RF)
The degrees to choose for a career
Hiring in the UK could
finally be on the up
47%
of employers offered entry-level
positions from July.
That is up nearly 15 per cent from the same period last year.
700,000
But graduate unemployment rose to six per cent in 2025 and 700,000 jobless graduates were claiming benefits.
Finance and insurance
- Around 42 per cent of UK finance and insurance employers say they will be open to graduate roles this summer.
- Business loan company Portman Finance Group has taken on 50 graduates over the past four years.
A lot of thought needs to be put into transferring a DB pension to a DC pot (Photo: Getty Images)
Portman graduates start on £36,000 for the two-year programme and the education you need to apply is a minimum “ABB” of A-levels, and a 2:1 or above university degree. But not in a specific subject.
Loose, natural fabrics are the best clothing option when the temperature rises (Photo: Kate Wieser/Getty)
Trade and logistics
What makes it particularly rewarding is that there’s always something to learn.
Nearly half (47 per cent) of trade and logistics companies will be giving graduates a go this year.
Salaries start at £30,000 with an uncapped bonus, rising to £50,000 plus a company car as a senior account partner.
Technology and IT
More than half (52 per cent) of UK tech and IT firms are actively looking for graduates.
Successful entry-level candidates can earn a basic salary of up to £35,000, with the opportunity to triple that within their first three years of working.
Caption: Young business woman searching for job online. Woman writing resume on laptop.
Photographer: Maria Korneeva
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Moment RF
4
Public sector, health
and social services
46 per cent of public sector, health and social services organisations are also ready to take graduates, according to a survey by Manpower.
A policeman walking away from an elderly person’s home. – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
- For example, Police Now runs a graduate programme into policing. They recruit graduates from any degree field, as long as they achieve a 2:2 or above. Starting salaries range from £31,164 to £42,210 depending on location and rising each year.
Can we treat guests without blowing our budget?
According to Waitrose, a dinner party revival is underway led by younger people trying to reduce the cost of getting together.
The i Paper food writer Sophie Morris [below] asks chefs for their best ideas for hosting at home.
Always have bread
People will feast on the
bread, and then need less fish/steak/expensive whatever. All small plates restaurants know this: this is why the first thing on the menu is always artisan bread and butter.ELLA RISBRIDGER, AUTHOR OF THE KITCHEN BOOK – GOOD FOOD FOR EVERY DAY
Female Hands cutting bread. – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Use vegetables as centrepieces
Chef and food writer Helen Graham turns vegetables into centrepieces to cut down on meat and fish expenses.
Variety Fresh of organic fruits and vegetables and healthy vegan meal ingredients in reusable eco cotton bags on beige background . Zero waste shopping concept. Healthy food, clean eating, eco friendly, no plastic. Flat lay, top view – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Beautiful woman unpacks a full fabric bag with fruits and vegetables on the kitchen. – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Add pantry items
Graham’s recipes include a braised cabbage with a preserved lemon sauce, a roast cauliflower with saffron, and harrisa roast carrots with mango labneh.
How to host on a budget
Many of the dishes we take for granted in British curry joints are entirely unlike anything you might find to eat in the subcontinent (Photo: Getty/E+)
Improve the everyday
Guests will always appreciate a stellar interpretation of the ordinary. Think lasagna or curry.
Generosity
Cooking dinner for your guests is spoiling them – you’re being generous with your time, your effort, and your home. So don’t feel the need to go overboard elsewhere.
(Photo: FilippoBacci/Getty Images/E+)
Man serving friends salad at backyard dinner party – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Ask for help
Ask friends to bring a contribution, be it a nibble or a pudding.
Big platter energy
[Presentation] can be the key to elevating something . Spaghetti and tomato sauce suddenly looks like a feast when tumbled on a lovely big plate, dressed with olive oil and parmesan and placed in the middle of the table.
Food writer and editor Eleanor Steafel
Entertaining doesn’t have to be stressful (Photo: The Good Brigade/Getty/Digital Vision)
How to host on a budget
Taco party
Have one expensive filling, like shredded chicken, and two cheaper options, like refried beans, says Ella Risbridger.
Traditional ice cream parlours are still going strong (Shutterstock)
Tacos are a popular dish throughout the country (Photo: Daniela White Images/Getty)
Sundaes
Shop-bought ice cream is so easily zhuzhed up with the help of handy toppings, says Eleanor Steafel.
Caption: Lynsey Crombie @lynsey_queenofclean, home expert and TV presenter
Low-effort tricks for
a cleaner house
While many Britons feel inspired to tackle their homes during summer, the warmer months can also make cleaning harder.
But Lynsey Crombie, known as the Queen of Clean, says the hotter months can increase mould, musty smells and sweaty clothes.
Here, she shares the tips and practical
hacks she lives by.
Every 30 washes, clean the machine
A study of 1,000 UK residents by Domestic & General revealed that almost one in 10 Brits have never cleaned their washing machine, yet it could be grubbier than the toilet seat.
Overhead view of young Asian woman loading the washing machine with laundry – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Woman loading washing machine in the kitchen – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Crombie says after 30 washes, use 500 grams of soda crystals on the hottest wash to clean out the drum. If there’s sludge, run a quick rinse cycle with some white vinegar.
Always make sure to leave the door and drawer ajar for 10 minutes to dry out too and avoid stale smells.
Household ingredients to use
Prolonged exposure to forever chemicals has been linked to health problems (Photo: Olga Rolenko/Moment RF/Getty)
White vinegar
This is Crombie’s go to. It can descale the kettle and taps and deodorise places in her home.
Table salt
For tough stains like red wine, rub salt into the stain, leave overnight and wash as normal.
The drunken monkey theory could explain humans’ drinking habit (Photo: Olga Pankova/Getty)
The fridge extends a lemon’s lifespan (Photo: Paul Calinescu/500px/Getty)
Lemons
For stubborn water marks, use half a lemon and bicarbonate of soda and leave on for 30 minutes before rinsing.
For Valentine’s Day, try giving her something she’ll really love (Photo: Getty)
Cold water is better
You’re damaging [wooden] floor [with hot water], making it expand, stretch
and cause gaps…
During hot days, Crombie says to avoid cleaning with hot water altogether to avoid adding humidity to the home.
“Cold water is much better, and if you’re using the right floor cleaning product, it’s still going to be clean,” she says.
Hacks for a cleaner home
Three is the magic number
Wash your towels after two to three uses and make sure they dry properly in-between.
As it turns out, a human towel is like Alton Towers for bacteria. A lot of fun can be had. (Photo: Joxxxjo/ iStockphoto/ Getty)
Caption: TOTO Neorest WX
TOTO toilets
www.gb.toto.com
Image supplied by
Julienne Webster
Focus on hotspots
Clean the “high traffic” areas, like the toilets, kitchen worktops and the hallway daily.
Open the windows
To keep a home fresh open the windows for 15 minutes each day – even in colder months.
Keep your curtains closed (Photo: Mireya Acierto/Getty/Photodisc)
Weekly habits
Do it more frequently, to cut down how long it takes
He doesn’t always have time to do the cleaning, the ironing, or walk the dog
Photographer: Maryviolet
Provider: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Source: iStockphoto
One task Crombie does weekly is her fridge. This includes a 10-minute wipe-down, focusing on the salad and vegetable tray. “If you save that job up and do it every other month, it’s going to be a very big chore.”
4
Hacks for a cleaner home
Caption: An employee of the French pan maker Cristel, wipes a frying pan at the Cristel factory, on May 23, 2024, in Fesches-le-Chatel, eastern France. At Fesches-le-Chatel, in the Doubs region of France, the Cristel factory is on a roll: France’s number-one manufacturer of stainless steel kitchen equipment has seen “demand explode” since the National Assembly passed a law restricting the use of PFAS in April. (Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP) (Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON/AFP via Getty Images)
Photographer: SEBASTIEN BOZON
Provider: AFP via Getty Images
Source: AFP
Copyright: AFP or licensors
Stainless steel
Crombie’s hack is one product: Barkeeper’s Friend in powder form.
The expensive products
“If you spend more money, you get the floral scents. The difference is scent, not performance.”
Deep cleaning glass door handles for Covid-19 disease prevention. alcohol,disinfectant spray on Wipes of Banister in home for safety,infection of Covid-19 virus,contamination, germs – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Cleaning day at home – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Ignore online advice
The biggest issue she sees is product overuse. “You don’t need half a bottle of washing up liquid to clean a surface.”
Crombie’s essentials
Four products can do do a full clean of the house.
- Antibacterial washing-up liquid: “It can clean almost anything, and any brand works.”
- M&S Fabric Refresher spray: It’s pet-friendly, eco-friendly and “ticks all the boxes.”
- Cif cream cleaner: “It’s an old school product. It’s so good.”
- White vinegar: ““It’s great for washing sportswear, gym kits and is a great stain remover.”
Most British houses are built to retain heat (Photo: Antonio Diaz/Getty/iStockphoto)
How to keep your sex life going in a heatwave
Don’t endure it
For some people, the heat and the sun boost the production of hormones responsible for joy, pleasure and connection like serotonin and dopamine. For others, the heat causes fatigue and irritability. For them, being touched can set off an anxiety response.
GEMMA NICE [BELOW]
Don’t endure sweaty cuddles
- Long-term partners can be upfront and honest with each other and say that it’s too hot to touch right now.
- For others, break the tension by having an open and honest conversation.
- Choose dates with built-in air conditioning, like the cinema.
- Don’t ignore the issue or
power through if you’re too hot.
5
How couples can manage a heatwave
Take penetrative sex off the table
It may make you feel lightheaded, tired, and can even lead to erectile dysfunction because the body is overheating.
The UK had pretty low numbers of libidinous romantic lovers, suggesting that ‘Brits may not be having as much fun between the sheets as people in other countries’
(Photo: RealPeopleGroup/ Getty Images/ iStockphoto)
(Photo: Dmitrii Marchenko/Getty).
Indulge in dirty talk instead
Because you aren’t distracted by physical movement, your focus is entirely on your partner’s voice. This can help build a massive amount of tension and sexual desire.
How couples can manage a heatwave
Caption: Young couple at home practicing yoga. They are watching online fitness live streaming classes.
Photographer: svetikd
Provider: Getty Images
Source: E+
Copyright: SVETIKD
Breathwork
This syncs up your nervous systems and can trigger a deep, full-body energetic response.
Mutual play
Set up a fan and touch yourselves while looking directly into each other’s eyes, says Nice.
‘Humid heat is harder heat,’ one expert says (Photo: Getty)
Our reader’s new partner always wants to ‘chill’ at home rather than go for walks or dinner or come up with ideas (Photo: vm/E+)
Strip and chill out
Just sharing the space and being close to each other can strengthen your bond.
Why you shouldn’t have
sex in the sea
- Water actually washes away
your body’s natural lubrication. - It creates friction against the delicate tissue.
- This can cause micro tears and severe irritation.
- It drastically increases the risk of getting a urinary tract infection (UTI) or a yeast infection.
4
The one easy habit which keeps your
brain young
From adopting a different running route to taking up a new hobby, here are seven ways in which new experiences can dramatically alter your brain health for the better.
Making friends at work can have a profound impact on happiness (Photo: Tim Robberts/Getty)
Why we need new experiences
A well-connected brain is more resilient to stress, illness and the effects of ageing.
Neurologist Dr Steve Allder says when we try unfamiliar things, our brain is forced to work in new ways.
Over time, this improves the brain’s ability to adapt to change and respond to challenges, helping us to preserve thinking skills and emotional balance.
Why we need new experiences
They strengthen memory formation
Regularly exposing yourself to new situations – even small ones – helps exercise your memory systems, which improves your ability to store and retrieve information.
A human brain made of wool with folded paper brainwaves – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Puzzles like sudoku have now been widely shown not to protect against cognitive decline (Photo: Getty Images)
They improve overall learning ability
Just as muscles adapt to new exercises, the brain adapts to new mental demands. As we age the brain then benefits from regular stimulation and maintains sharpness.
Why we need new experiences
Caption: Happy woman walking with male partner in vineyard during sunset. Elderly couple are touring in field against sky. They are enjoying during weekend.
Photographer: Morsa Images
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Digital Vision
Boosts dopamine
New experiences naturally stimulate dopamine, which encourages positive behaviour patterns.
Reduce cognitive decline
New experiences activate different brain regions, helping to keep more areas working.
Happy pregnant mother sitting close to smiling teen daughter while taking selfie on smartphone – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Caption: Portrait of elderly woman solving sudoku puzzles at home, sitting in living room. Sudoku as popular game for aging people, logical thinking, problem solving.
Photographer: Halfpoint Images
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Moment RF
Problem-solving
Your brain must evaluate options, test ideas and adjust its approach.
The benefits of new experiences
Each time you adapt successfully to something new, your brain learns that change can be handled. This improves emotional flexibility, making it easier to cope with stress and unexpected events.
They also often involve other people, whether through travel or social activities. This stimulate areas of the brain
responsible for communication, empathy and understanding others’ perspectives.
Running might not seem like the most appealing hobby, but if you give it a try, you might be surprised (Photo: EMS-FORSTER-PRODUCTIONS/Getty/Digital Vision/ems-forster-productions)
Your sleep has a huge impact on your heart health
How sleep and your heart
health are linked
- Adults who regularly sleep fewer than seven hours are at increased risk of high blood pressure, obesity, heart attack and diabetes.
- The risk of coronary artery disease is 45 per cent higher in adults with short sleep durations at night.
4
The bedtime habits that reduce risk
Sleep tourism in hotel. Exhausted woman sleeps sweetly in bed in the morning – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Consistency
Keep daytime naps to less than 20 minutes and aim for seven to eight hours sleep per night.
Wind down
A reasonable 20-30 minute bedtime routine can include reading, light stretching, and meditation.
A mature man meditates in the last sun rays coming into his bedroom – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Caption: Close-up view of female jogger tying laces of her sport shoes before running exercise routine. Motivation, healthy lifestyle and fitness concept.
Photographer: Xavier Lorenzo
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Moment RF
Time your exercise
Vigorous exercise within three hours of bedtime can cause insomnia.
The bedroom environment
Pensive young Asian woman sitting on bed writing on journal in cozy bedroom. Copy space. – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Sleeping in a bedroom with bright overhead light has been associated with a higher risk of major cardiovascular events, including heart attack (47 per cent higher risk), stroke (28 per cent) and heart failure.
Darken the room with blackout blinds or an eye mask, avoid blue light and leave your mobile phone outside your bedroom.
The bedtime habits that reduce risk
Food and drink
Alcohol, nicotine, caffeine and large evening meals can all disrupt sleep quality.
One theory is that alcohol and drugs can hijack the brain’s pathways (Photo: Guillermo Spelucin/Getty Images)
Know your numbers
If your blood pressure at bedtime is consistently high, consider discussing medication with your GP.
Beware of snoring
Sleep-disordered breathing is linked with cardiovascular conditions, so it could be time for a GP evaluation.
Separate bedrooms is not the first step on the road to dissolution; it’s the route to joint survival (Photo: LordHenriVoton/E+/Miljan Lakic/Getty)
In 2020, the SSAS bought the estate’s derelict stables and sawmill for £750,000. Two years later, he purchased Marske Hall itself for £1.3m using separate savings built up during his career.
Then he and two others raised £1.5m from commercial investors to restore the Grade II-listed building, which now operates as a holiday destination in the Yorkshire Dales.
Independent valuations by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors [RICS] now place the estate, which has been transformed into 20 holiday lets, at around £10.5m, after further financing by other investors.
Ian now takes an income from the holiday lettings and will continue to do so when he fully retires, which he plans to do in around five years.
He also has income from a wider residential property portfolio and other property investments.
He will be entitled to a payout when the estate is sold, or he can pass on the equity he has when he dies.
The restoration began in 2020 after Ian bought the estate’s stables and turned the property into holiday lets
Using a pension to boost investment
Ian said that the work required to complete the renovations was large.
“Both the stables and sawmill were in an appalling condition when we bought them, suffering from major structural issues, years of neglect and serious infestations,” he said.
“The sawmill, in particular, had never been lived in. Trees were growing through the roof, and there were hundreds of rats running around inside,” he added.
The restoration proved considerably more complicated than a standard renovation.
Working on listed buildings uncovered hidden structural problems, while conservation rules required specialist materials and craftsmen, adding months to the project and significantly increasing costs.
SSAS pensions are not common, with most individuals saving into workplace pensions or self-invested personal pensions (SIPPs) instead, which tend to invest in equities, bonds and cash.
To make the project financially viable, the restoration was carried out in phases
But Ian says he was drawn to an SSAS because of his experience working in property development.
“An SSAS is not suitable for everyone, but for someone with decades of experience in commercial property, it offered the opportunity to invest pension funds into tangible assets while helping preserve an important part of Britain’s architectural heritage,” he says.
He also explains that he doesn’t just measure the project by its commercial success.
“The financial returns matter, but the greatest reward has been seeing three buildings that were once derelict become places that thousands of people can now enjoy. That is something no conventional pension investment could ever have given me.
“For me, the return has never been measured purely in financial terms. It is also about creating something lasting for future generations.”
How does an SSAS work – and should you get one?
An SSAS is a specialist occupational pension that gives users more control over how their retirement savings are invested, including allowing investment in commercial property.
Unlike most workplace pensions, which are invested in funds holding shares and bonds, SSASs are generally used by company directors and experienced investors.
SSAS pensions remain a relatively niche but established option in the UK, with around 21,000 schemes covering approximately 60,000 savers in 2026, according to official government figures.
An SSAS can have a maximum of 11 members. Either a small company sets one up or a group of directors of a larger company does.
Each member of the scheme pays contributions (along with the employer) into it and gets an agreed share of the pension. Other employees of the employer do not – they will have their own pension provision in a qualifying scheme for auto-enrolment purposes.
David Gibb, financial planner at Quilter Cheviot, warned: “An SSAS pension can be a useful corporate planning tool for small business owners, provided they have done the due diligence.
“People should only consider them if they understand the rules around the pension, or have received advice and help in setting one up.
“SSASs are complex, carry significant trustee responsibilities, and can be costly to run. Unless you have substantial pension assets, a genuine need for some of the benefits that it can bring and are comfortable with the additional governance requirements, a simpler pension arrangement may be more appropriate.”