A freehold restaurant in historic Totnes, South Devon, which is named after a local explorer and features in the Michelin Good Food Guide and Trencherman’s, has been sold to a private buyer.

The former Wills restaurant and café occupies a Grade II-listed, four-storey Georgian townhouse near the River Dare and Fore Street at 2, 2a and 3 The Plains.

It is named after William John Wills, an explorer of Australia who was born at number 3 in 1834 and is commemorated by a statue across the street.

The restaurant retains a number of period features such as ornate plaster ceilings, a sweeping staircase, polished wooden floors, original fireplaces and a wrought iron balcony.

The business comprises a 32-seat café and drawing room on the ground floor and a 28-seat first-floor restaurant. Rooms over the remaining four floors are let as office space.

The Exeter office of Christie + Co was seeking offers in the region of £435,000 for the freehold.

By Angela Frewin