A private buyer from Truro, Cornwall, has bought the King’s Arms Inn at Stockland, which is one of the most popular destination pubs in the area.
The Grade I-listed property, which dates back to 1600, is a thatched, whitewashed stone and cob building set in large grounds within a conservation area in the Blackdown Hills.
It retains a number of period features such as flagstone flooring, open fireplaces and exposed ceiling beams.
The business has built up a strong reputation for good food, real ales and live music and is listed in the 2006 Good Food Guide and Which? Pub Guide.
Beer and food account for 45% of sales each while the three en-suite letting bedrooms (which carry a four AA star rating) account for the remaining 10%.
The inn can seat 86 customers across its main restaurant, Farmer’s Bar and Cotley restaurant, plus another 40 in the skittle alley/function room.
The property includes two-bedroom owners’ accommodation and both trade and private gardens.
The Exeter office of Christie + Co sold the freehold off an asking price of £1.1m on behalf of Heinz Kiefer and Paul Divani, who have owned the inn for 19 years.
By Angela Frewin