Pubs for Sale South West

If you are looking for pubs for sale, Cornwall, Devon and the South West of England offer some of the most scenic pubs in some of the most desirable locations in the UK. Pubs for sale in South West England appeal to many people with visions of thatched roofs in pretty villages, or stonework buildings in spectacular landscapes. But the South West is an extremely large and varied area, taking in the counties of Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset. So it is important that you consider what each county has to offer in terms of character, transport links, tourist traffic and so on, before making a choice.

UK Pub Sales are a specialist business transfer agent and have a large range of hotels, restaurants and pubs for sale throughout the UK including the popular South West counties of Cornwall and Devon.

To see our current Pubs for Sale South West – including the counties of Devon and Cornwall, click here to view our Pubs for Sale page.

Pubs for Sale South West England

Pubs for sale in the South West, particularly those for sale in Cornwall and Devon are greatly sought after both by the aspirational lifestyle buyer who wants to relocate to this part of the country, and by the commercial buyer who can see the potential in an affluent local population and/or tourist trade. This popularity tends to push up freehold prices and fairly modestly sized pubs can easily approach or even exceed £1million depending on location.

Even a relatively small leasehold pub, if it is situated correctly in terms of tourist area and/or views, can fetch well over £100,000.

As for all pubs everywhere, the price will be affected not just by the generally high property prices in the region, but by the current trading performance of the establishment – especially for a leasehold property. Relative bargains may be obtainable if you are willing to take over a pub whose performance is low, but you need to ensure you fully understand the reasons for the underperformance and that you have a clear vision (or preferably a business plan) for improving performance.

Pubs for sale in Cornwall, Devon and other South West regions are very often not just pubs, but also provide either restaurant facilities, letting rooms for hire, or both. So it’s important when looking for pubs for sale in the South West to decide whether you really want to also become a restaurateur or hotelier at the same time, and to choose between pubs for sale accordingly.

Pubs for Sale South West England – click here to view our freehold and leashold public houses for sale

Pubs for Sale Cornwall

Cornwall is the most distant English county from London both in terms of transport links, which are indifferent at best (there are no motorways in the county and dual carriageways are rare), and in terms of atmosphere, which often makes Cornwall feel like a different country altogether. For many, it is this real sense of distance and distinctiveness which is so appealing, both as a holiday destination, a place to retire or a place to carve out a new career and lifestyle.

Cornwall manages to belie the general rule that property prices decrease the further you are away from London. In this county, distance from London is made up for by factors such as age and charm, thatch and stone. It is also made up for by a strong tourist trade which does well even during recessionary times as people seek out UK holiday destinations. If you are considering pubs for sale in Cornwall, you can expect some steep prices. Cornwall’s borders are nearly 80% coastline and attract thousands of visitors each year. Pubs in known seaside locations such as Newquay and St Ives will therefore be particularly pricey. Coastal locations with additional attractions such as Tintagel (internationally famous as the reputed seat of King Arthur) will be especially expensive and will tend to be focused almost entirely on the tourist trade. For lower prices and a more community type of pub, you will need to move inland to areas which have lower tourist traffic and cater mostly for locals.

Pubs for Sale Cornwall – click here to view our freehold and leashold public houses for sale

Pubs for Sale Devon

Devon lies immediately to the east of Cornwall and has both northern and southern coastlines making it a major destination for those in search of the traditional seaside holiday.

Torquay and Paignton are major holiday destinations and renowned for their extremely warm climates. Pubs in these places can attract high prices and can expect largely seasonal trade.

Devon is also home to major cities such as Plymouth and Exeter, as well as the M5 linking the region to the northwest and to London via the M4. For many tourists, as well as would-be pub owners, Devon offers the perfect compromise, with much of the same peace and charm as Cornwall, but within significantly easier reach of major cities and transport links.

Pubs here are similarly expensive, therefore, and follow much of the Cornwall pattern. For high volume, seasonal trade, choose pubs in prime tourist locations, especially known seaside towns. For a quieter community feel, as well as a chance of lower prices, go inland to lesser known towns and villages.

Pubs for Sale Devon – click here to view our freehold and leashold public houses for sale

Pubs for Sale Somerset

Somerset lies east of Devon and has a significant stretch of coastline to the north with Weston-super-Mare being the most notable seaside destination. Many visitors to the area are on their way through to Devon and Cornwall, but it also has significant attractions of its own, not least the famous city of Bath. Bath has the highest property prices outside London and pubs in the area do not come cheap. However the year round tourist trade as well as the student population can mean brisk business.

Inland, Somerset is home to the famous Cheddar Gorge, while the town of Glastonbury is a major attraction for UK and foreign visitors and has year round visitors to the Tor, the wells and other notable features. Other significant cities and towns include Taunton and Yeovil which offer the chance of a busy year round pub trade while living close to both countryside and coast. Alternatively, those seeking a coastal location while staying relatively off the main tourist trail, may want to check pubs for sale on the north Somerset coast.

Pubs for Sale Somerset – click here to view our freehold and leashold public houses for sale

Pubs for Sale Wiltshire

Wiltshire is an inland county which borders seven counties including Somerset, Dorset and Hampshire to the south, and Bristol & Avon, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire to the north.

Wiltshire attracts many tourists to historic sites such as Salisbury cathedral, Longleat, the Avebury stone circle and, of course, the internationally famous Stonehenge.

Tourism consists of a mixture of day trippers and weekenders, which can occur year round, as well as more seasonal holidaymakers staying for a week or more to experience the seaside and countryside. Many pubs, whether town, coastal or village will experience significant tourist trade, as well as catering for the locals.

By contrast, Wiltshire is also home to Swindon which is predominantly a commercial town and has many business travellers year round visiting the hi-tech companies along the M4 corridor. A pub in Swindon will tend to cater mostly for locals, plus business travellers, especially pubs close to hotels or large commercial premises.

Prices of freehold pubs for sale in Wiltshire are still on the high side, along with those for other South West counties, but leasehold pubs can be obtained for a few tens of thousands.

Pubs for Sale Wiltshire – click here to view our freehold and leashold public houses for sale

Pubs for Sale Dorset

Dorset lies on the south coast and includes several major seaside destinations such as Bournemouth, Poole, Weymouth and Lyme Regis. However, these towns have significant year round populations, so pubs in these areas can expect year round traffic with a peak during the summer.

Dorset is also home to Dorchester, the county town, which attracts many visitors interested in seeing this historic town which dates back to Roman times. Pubs in Dorchester, especially those in the town centre, will tend to pick up a lot of trade from people visiting the town for the day for sightseeing and/or shopping.

Slightly further off the tourist trail, Dorset has many smaller but historic towns such as Bridport and Shaftesbury, which is home to “Hovis Hill”, the steep cobbled street featured on the 80’s Hovis adverts. Pubs in these types of locations will tend to be quieter, and largely community oriented, but will still receive some tourist trade.

Pubs for Sale Dorset – click here to view our freehold and leashold public houses for sale