A Grade II-listed Monmouthshire inn has changed hands for the first time in more than 20 years.

The 14th-century Cross Keys Inn – a former coaching inn that dates back to 1368 – has a central location in the town of Usk town centre at 24 Bridge Street, where it is within walking distance of the River Usk.

Retained period features include a fine Cornish plaster ceiling of Tudor roses and cherubs, an open fireplace and original ship’s timbers – along with rumoured hauntings linked to the condemned prisoners that were housed in the cellar awaiting execution on the nearby town bridge.

Facilities include four en-suite letting bedrooms, a main bar, a 30-seat restaurant, the 20-seat Traveller’s Rest dining room, a 50-seat trade terrace and  two-bedroom owners’ accommodation.

Food and drink each account for 45% of turnover, with accommodation making up the remaining 10%.

National operators such as Brains and Enterprise Inns were outbid by local operator Nicola Fisher, who used to run the Unicorn in Cardiff on behalf of Punch.

The Bristol office of Christie + Co sold the freehold off a guide price of £645,000 on behalf of Geraldine Griffiths, whose family has owned the freehold for more than 20 years. She will continue to run her local farm and holiday cottages business.

By Angela Frewin