The education and charities team of property consultancy, Knight Frank, has sold Felden Lodge in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, on behalf of The Boys’ Brigade for £5.25m.

The facility has been sold to the Witherslack Group, a leading provider of specialist education and care for children and young people.

Felden Lodge is a 18.55-acre property which has served as The Boys’ Brigade’s training centre in England for over 70 years.

The property consists of five distinct buildings.

The main house features 27 bedrooms, a lounge, dining room, five meeting rooms, office space, and a chapel.

Complementing this is a purpose-built accommodation block, a fully-equipped kitchen and dining/lounge area, and an activity hall.

The property also includes a multi-functional sports hall with changing facilities, a dance studio, and outdoor sports amenities such as a hard tennis court and grass playing fields.

New owner, Witherslack Group, operates a network of Ofsted ‘Outstanding’-rated schools and children’s homes across the UK.

And the organisation has plans to transform Felden Lodge into a leading SEN school with specialist facilities.

Steve Bacon, chief financial officer of Witherslack Group, said: “Felden Lodge is an extraordinary property in a beautiful location, making it the ideal site for our next specialist educational facility.

“This purchase will enable us to expand our provision of high-quality education and care for children and young people with complex needs, including autism and social, emotional, and mental health difficulties.”

Jasper Upton, associate in education and charities at Knight Frank, adds: “We are honoured to have facilitated this important transaction for the sector.

“The UK currently faces a significant shortage of SEN-specific education and, with a growing demand, Felden Lodge represents a strategic investment in addressing this crucial educational gap.

“We look forward to seeing the Witherslack Group develop the site into a world-class facility, that can provide transformative educational experiences for children with diverse learning needs.”