Aspen Bridging is a specialist property lender offering short-term first charge loans to investors, developers and companies, including overseas borrowers. Its range runs from standard and refurbishment bridging to development exit, a combined bridge-to-let facility and ground-up development finance. Bridge & Build Finance is an independent broker and is not part of Aspen Bridging; it is one of the lenders we compare for bridging loans and heavy refurbishment finance. You can read more on Aspen Bridging's own website.
About Aspen Bridging
Aspen Bridging says it has been lending since 2017 and describes itself as a principal lender funding UK and foreign clients. It is equity funded by its parent company, S&U plc, which Aspen describes as a majority family-owned, stock market listed lender that has been lending since 1938. Aspen says this gives it a stable funding base rather than relying on short-term wholesale lines alone.
Aspen Bridging Limited is registered in England and Wales and is based in Solihull. It lends across England and Wales only, and says it does not offer regulated loans, so it does not lend against a home the borrower or their family lives in.
Aspen highlights direct access to its underwriters and says it does not use quantity surveyors or third-party monitoring on its bridging cases.
What Aspen Bridging funds
At the time of writing (October 2026), Aspen's loans are first charge only and run from £200,000 to £15 million, with terms of 10 to 24 months. Its guide works from a 180-day forced sale value rather than the shorter 90-day basis some lenders use.
| Product | What it is for | Maximum leverage |
|---|---|---|
| Residential bridging | Purchases and refinance of houses, flats and HMOs | Up to 75% LTV |
| Refurbishment, including heavy works | Light and heavy refurbishment, with drawdowns for works | Up to 80% of day-one value, capped at 70% of GDV |
| Development exit | Refinancing a finished or nearly finished scheme while units sell or let | Up to 80% LTV |
| Semi-commercial | Mixed-use property, including use classes E and B8 | Up to 70% LTV |
| Commercial | Commercial property, including use classes E and B8 | Up to 65% LTV |
| No valuation option | Some cases priced on a desktop basis without a full valuation | Lower leverage, varying by property type |
| Bridge-to-let | A bridge followed by a buy-to-let term with Aspen, under one facility | Up to 75% LTV on the buy-to-let |
| Ground-up development | Mainly residential new-build sites | £1m to £10m net, up to 65% of GDV and 90% of costs |
Loans from £2 million to £15 million are handled by Aspen's structured finance team, which covers large single assets and multi-unit freehold blocks. Aspen also offers a stepped-rate option, with a lower initial rate for the first part of the term. Our guide to bridge-to-term finance explains how a combined bridge and buy-to-let can work.
Who Aspen Bridging suits (and who it may not)
Aspen tends to suit:
- Property investors and companies buying or refinancing in England and Wales with loans of £200,000 or more.
- Foreign national and expat borrowers, including those without a UK credit footprint.
- Investors carrying out light or heavy refurbishment who then want to hold and let the property.
- Developers needing development exit finance on completed schemes.
- Experienced developers building mainly residential schemes of £1 million or more.
It may not suit homeowners needing a regulated bridge, borrowers in Scotland or Northern Ireland, loans under £200,000, second charge borrowing, or first-time developers looking for ground-up funding.
What Aspen Bridging looks at
Aspen assesses cases individually, with underwriting done upfront. Expect it to look at:
- The property and its value, on a forced sale basis, supported by a valuation or, on some cases, a desktop assessment.
- The exit: sale, refinance or a move onto its own buy-to-let, and whether that is realistic within the term.
- For refurbishment and development: the scope of works, costs, planning and your experience.
- The borrower: identity, credit and, for companies, the directors and shareholders. Overseas borrowers are considered.
- Use class for commercial and semi-commercial property.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Equity funded by a listed parent with a long lending history.
- Wide size range, from £200,000 to £15 million.
- Accepts foreign national and expat borrowers.
- Bridge-to-let option avoids a second application for the term loan.
- Covers refurbishment, development exit and ground-up development.
Cons
- England and Wales only.
- First charge only, with no second charge lending.
- No regulated bridging for owner-occupiers.
- Minimum term of 10 months, longer than many bridging lenders.
- Ground-up development is aimed at experienced developers.
Going through a broker vs going direct
Aspen works through intermediaries. Comparing first matters because Aspen's longer minimum term, its forced-sale valuation basis and its pricing for smaller or overseas cases may suit some deals better than others. Another lender may offer a shorter term, higher leverage or regulated lending where needed.
We search the market, set Aspen alongside other suitable lenders, present your case and manage the application through to completion. It is free to enquire, and any broker fee is disclosed before you proceed.
Alternatives to Aspen Bridging
- LendInvest: bridging, refurbishment, developer exit and development over a wide size range.
- Octopus Property: bridging, heavy refurbishment and development, including regulated cases.
- West One: residential and semi-commercial bridging plus ground-up development.
- Novellus: bridging, land and heavy refurbishment alongside development.
- Hampshire Trust Bank: a bank lender for bridging and development.
Common questions
How much can I borrow from Aspen Bridging?
At the time of writing, Aspen lends from £200,000 to £15 million on first charge bridging. Ground-up development loans run from about £1 million to £10 million.
Does Aspen Bridging lend to overseas borrowers?
Yes. Aspen says it considers foreign national and expat borrowers, and its bridge-to-let product is designed partly with them in mind.
Does Aspen Bridging offer regulated bridging loans?
No. Aspen says it does not offer regulated loans, so it cannot lend against a home you or your family live in. We can compare lenders that do offer regulated bridging.
Where does Aspen Bridging lend?
England and Wales only, on a first charge basis.
What is Aspen's bridge-to-let product?
It combines a bridging loan with a follow-on buy-to-let term in one facility, so the move from the bridge to longer-term finance does not need a fresh application and valuation.
This review is our independent summary of the lender's publicly stated lending, checked in October 2026. Criteria change, so confirm the current position before relying on it. Bridge & Build Finance is an independent broker and is not part of any lender reviewed. Finance is subject to status, valuation and lender approval.
