Historic Dartmoor pub on the market after 125 years of family ownership

A well-known Dartmoor pub that has been run by the same family for 125 years has been put up for sale.

The Fingle Bridge Inn, one of Dartmoor’s best-known riverside pubs, has been put on the open market for the first time in its 125-year history.

The owners put the pub on the market after the current tenant said they were considering moving on, and following discussions, the owners decided to sell the business.

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The inn, which sits beside the Grade II* listed Fingle Bridge on the River Teign near Drewsteignton, has been in the same family since it first opened as a small tea shelter in 1897.

Property consultants Vickery Holman confirmed the sale on 13 October, describing it as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to take on a “landmark Dartmoor business.”

The property has been listed for offers in excess of £1,400,000.

ABOVE: The inside of the Inn (Credit: Vickery Holman)

According to Vickery Holman’s listing, the pub “enjoys a spectacular setting within a wooded gorge surrounded by National Trust and Woodland Trust land.”

The Fingle Bridge Inn has become a popular and profitable business, welcoming walkers, anglers, and visitors drawn to its views and historic setting.

The Inn began life in 1897 when Jesse Ashplant opened a small tea shelter beside the bridge for local fishermen and travellers.

It was later called The Anglers Rest before becoming the Fingle Bridge Inn known today.

The building was completely rebuilt in 1957 and has remained in continuous family ownership for over 125 years.

The inn has long been a popular stop for walkers and day-trippers exploring the Teign Valley, and its sale marks the end of an era for the family that has run it for generations.

Property agent Mike Easton, who is handling the sale, said the inn offers “a rare combination of natural beauty, heritage and hospitality that makes it one of the South West’s most iconic destinations.”

The sale also includes significant on-site accommodation, a three-bedroom house and a four-bedroom apartment, which could be used for staff housing or converted into letting rooms or holiday stays.

Vickery Holman noted that strong visitor demand across Dartmoor could make such development attractive to future owners.

ABOVE: View from across the river (Credit: Vickery Holman)

Despite its secluded setting, the inn is only 10 minutes’ drive from the A30 at Whiddon Down or Cheriton Bishop, offering easy access for visitors from Exeter, Okehampton and beyond.

The area is one of Dartmoor’s most photographed and visited beauty spots, attracting walkers from nearby Teign Gorge, Castle Drogo, and Fingle Woods trails.

As the inn sits within Dartmoor National Park, planning rules restrict the creation of new hospitality venues, giving the Fingle Bridge Inn what agents describe as a “protected market position.”

The business has historically hosted weddings and special events, and the agents say there is potential to expand these activities under new ownership.

The freehold and trading business are being jointly marketed by Vickery Holman and Bettesworths, working with the current owners to bring the property to market for the first time.