Anchor away as couple sell up to retire

After 33 years in the licensed trade ­ the last 20 of which were spent running the well-known Anchor Hotel and Ship Inn overlooking the tiny harbour at Porlock Weir on the North Devon and West Somerset border ­ proprietors Donald and Virginia Wade have retired and sold their business through the Exeter office of agents Christie & Co.

The 16th-century inn has been bought by Harvey Allen and Lynette Davies, who previously owned the Copper Kettle in Rotherfield, near Crowborough, East Sussex.

Recommended by hotel and food guides, the Anchor is a quiet and comfortable 20-bedroom, three-star hotel situated at the water's edge of the small and pretty harbour of Porlock Weir.

Porlock itself is a picturesque village of thatch and cob cottages situated on the A39 six miles from Minehead.

The Anchor Hotel is an attractive pink building, the central part of which dates from around 1750 and was originally the local Manor House.

The thatched and whitewashed Ship Inn, a former 16th Century coaching inn, stands adjacent.

The main hotel has 14 en-suite letting bedrooms, a cocktail bar, an elegant 40-cover dining room, a grand drawing room, six staff bedrooms, a two-bedroom owner's cottage, a garden of a third of an acre for guests' use, and ample parking.

The Ship Inn, which features original beams and fireplaces, has six en-suite letting bedrooms, bar and snug.

Peter Addyman of Christie & Co, said: "We were delighted to handle the sale of this uniquely situated hotel.

The business has a superb reputation and a truly stunning location."

The Anchor Hotel and the Ship Inn were sold for an undisclosed figure, from a combined asking price of £337,000.

Both properties are held on 20-year leases from the Porlock Manor Estates, which own much of this area of Exmoor.