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Country Inn set in the heart of the North York Moors brought to the market by Christie & Co

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co has brought to market the Fox & Hounds, a traditional country inn located in Ainthorpe, North Yorkshire.

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Fox & Hounds

Set in the heart of the North York Moors, this historic rural inn offers 10 comfortable en-suite bedrooms, a popular bar and restaurant with seating for 113 customers plus spacious outdoor seating, as well as front door access to local footpaths, national trails, bridleways and cycle routes.

The characterful building dates back to 1555 and boasts an abundance of historic features such as open fireplaces, wooden beams, flagstones, restored parquet flooring and ornate tiles. The site also features a large range of out-buildings, all in good structural condition, parking for 50 cars with infrastructure in place for EV charging and designated cycle parking. Additionally, four camping pods are available for guests to book between 1st April and 31st October every year.

Located less than one mile away from the North York Moors Visitor Centre and two miles from the Yorkshire Cycle Hub, the historic inn is conveniently situated for visitors wishing to explore on two feet or two wheels. The pretty fishing villages of Yorkshire’s heritage coast are less than 20 minutes away by car and a railway station in adjoining Danby offers visitors easy access to the moorland villages along the Esk Valley and the busy seaside town of Whitby.

The business has performed incredibly well in recent years, sustaining substantial profits despite the headwinds facing the hospitality sector. The inn is incredibly well supported by locals and enjoys a very strong tourist following, particularly in the summer months.

The Fox & Hounds presents a phenomenal opportunity for expansion and increasing the capital value of the site as it benefits from a number of planning consents, summarised as follows;

  • Ancillary Building full planning consent for a new ‘historic stone-barn style’ commercial building with landscaping, and additional parking. Current design is for spa facilities including an indoor swimming pool, but the permitted building can easily be constructed to house a large function space instead, suitable for parties, events, or weddings or additional guest accommodation.
  • Additional Camping Pods Full Planning Consent for 8 further camping pods. Infrastructure already in place.
  • Primary Building Extension Full Planning Consent to extend the existing Fox & Hounds to include 7 additional guest bedrooms, additional male & female WC’s, designated hotel reception area and guest lounge/function room.
  • Adjacent Cottage and Land The neighbouring 5 bedroom cottage and an additional 7.5 acres is available by separate negotiation.

The property has come to the market as the current owners feel timing is right for them to move on to the next chapter in their lives, which they envisage will involve moving away from the area.

David Cash, Regional Director – Pubs & Restaurants at Christie & Co is handling the sale and comments, “The Fox & Hounds is a superb example of a traditional, centuries old country inn, which has maintained its heritage whilst very much being in the 21st century as far as facilities and development potential are concerned. The business is currently operated as a very successful pub-restaurant with rooms, however if somebody chooses to exercise some or all of the planning permissions, it could be a much bigger, leisure complex.

“We expect interest from experienced publicans/hoteliers but also leisure operators who are entrenched in the staycation market and may look to introduce more pods or bedrooms. The business is fully management run, with very little involvement from the current owners, so the opportunity may well suit a hands-off investor as well.”

The Fox & Hounds is being offered for sale on a freehold basis with an asking price of £1,350,000.

For further information on this press release, contact:

Bronte Hughes, Corporate Communications Manager
P: 020 7227 0794 or E: bronte.hughes@christie.com

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