10 homes in converted pubs to raise a glass to
The number of UK pubs has dropped by over a third since the 1970s and, according to accountancy firm Price Bailey, last year time was called on more than two a day.
Factors such as lower footfall and rising costs are to blame and although this loss is keenly felt by local communities, the upside is that many former pubs are being given a new lease of life and converted into much-needed housing.
They are often conveniently positioned, filled with charm and have big, sociable living spaces – like this selection, all on the market.
1. Branthwaite, Workington, Cumbria, offers over £230,000
Although this historic waterside inn was transformed into a four-bedroom house some years ago, it requires a little TLC to achieve its full potential. It’s generously sized with a flexible ground floor layout and lots of period features, including a circular stone staircase and exposed beams and brickwork. You can hear the sound of the river trickling past from the bottom of the south-facing garden. Find out more from Mark Buchanan.
2. The Coach House, Kirkcowan, Newton Stewart, Dumfries & Galloway, £275,000
Located in the heart of a vibrant village, this recently modernized Victorian house was once the Kirkcowan Arms. It comprises three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen/diner, a utility/boot room, a sitting room and a family room that’s been used as a fourth bedroom, and there’s a large enclosed garden and off-street parking. From Williamson & Henry via ESPC.
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3. Crawleyside, Stanhope, County Durham, £330,000
This fully restored former pub is now a comfortable and contemporary family home with two useful storage/workshop rooms and countryside views on tap. Accommodation is arranged over three storeys, with a newly-refitted kitchen/dining room on the ground floor, an open plan living/dining room, a further sitting room with a log burner and cloakroom on the first and four bedrooms and a bathroom at the top. Contact Weardale Property Agency.
4. Beare Green, Dorking, Surrey, £365,000
The Duke’s Head, a much-loved 18th century coaching inn, has been converted into character-packed apartments with lovely countryside views and parking. Entered through its own front door, this one’s on the ground floor and consists of an all-in-one kitchen/living/dining area with a breakfast bar and French windows opening into a private garden, two double bedrooms and two bathrooms. From Ralph James via OnTheMarket.
5. Walworth, London SE17, £550,000
Old and new combine seamlessly in this high-spec split level flat, part of freshly-converted pub The Masons Arms. The upper, raised ground floor contains an ensuite double bedroom and a large mezzanine reception room that looks down to the lower ground floor where there’s a second reception room, a kitchen and another bedroom suite. For more information contact Winkworth.
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6. The Admiral Penn, Deal, Kent, £800,000
Buy this beautifully-renovated Grade II listed property and you’ll be able to enjoy happy hour without venturing outside, as the living room is fitted with a copper-topped bar from which you can look directly out to sea. It has five ensuite bedrooms, a basement cinema room and its links to hospitality have been maintained as it's run as a successful holiday let. Get in touch with Bright & Bright.
7. Maldon, Essex, £875,000
Maldon’s high street and waterfront are a short walk from this elegant Grade II listed house, believed to have once been an alehouse. Inside it’s extremely spacious, with six bedrooms and three reception rooms, plus a one-bedroom coach house in the garden. Sash windows, shutters and stone flooring are among the period features and, unusually for a building dating back to the 17th century, it has an impressive EPC rating of C – thanks in part to an air source heat pump. Contact William H Brown.
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8. Regent’s Park, London NW1, £1.495m
If you’re thinking of investing in a property in the capital and have a bit of money to spend, how about this pair of flats? They’re set side by side on the ground and lower ground floors of former pub, The Chester Arms, and have open plan kitchen/living/dining areas, two bedrooms and two bathrooms, though differ slightly in size. Both are in good condition and currently tenanted. Via Anderson Rose.
9. Blann House, Upper Beeding, West Sussex, £1.5m
Originally the Bridge Inn, this Italianate villa-style, Grade II listed house was built in 1833 next to the River Adur and has been meticulously restored and modernised. Today it’s a fantastic four-bedroom, four-bathroom family home with an integrated annex versatile enough to be used as guest accommodation, an office or partying, and 300 feet of private riverbank and moorings. For sale through Fine & Country.
10. Newington Green, London N16, £1.7m
With a huge living area, a generously-sized kitchen/living/dining space above it, a wraparound balcony and a south-west facing sun trap terrace, this light-filled two-bedroom flat is fully geared up for entertaining. On the second and third floors of an imposing Victorian pub conversion, it’s close to trendy Stoke Newington’s many independent food shops, cafes and boozers. Via Knight Frank.
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