Famous gardens steal the show

An 11th-century former coaching inn that was once a backdrop for Kevin Costner's film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves has just come onto the market....

An 11th-century former coaching inn that was once a backdrop for Kevin Costner's film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves has just come onto the market.

The Palmer Flatt, which is in picturesque Wensleydale, is set on four acres in the North Yorkshire village of Aysgarth.

"The Prince of Thieves was shot in the grounds, which include the famous Aysgarth Falls," said Graham Allman of Guy Simmonds in Melbourne.

He added that the falls had also featured in works by the famous British landscape artist JMW Turner (1775-1851).

"During the 11th century, the site was home to a pilgrims inn' for Crusaders returning from the Holy Land. The grounds feature fishing rights on the River Ure and there are gardens certified by a caravan club."

Inside, there is a traditional bar (serves 40), a games area, a central bar servery, a restaurant/dining room (38 covers), carvery (32), lower dining room (32) and a residents' lounge.

Eleven en-suite letting rooms, two with four-poster beds, provide added income and there is a spacious three-bedroom self-contained flat for owners.

Service areas include commercial kitchen, storage and refrigerated room and cellars.

"Trade at the inn shows sales around £452,000 (split 45% wet, 38% dry and 17% letting), but with more focus, there is potential sales growth of around £150,000," Allman said.

He added that the potential of the grounds could not be overstated. "To the front and rearterraces there are flagstoned areas with picnic tables, ponds and landscaped gardens."

Guy Simmonds has set an asking price of £950,000 for the freehold.