The Anchor Inn on Dedham Heath in the heart of "Constable Co

The Anchor Inn, on the outskirts of Dedham village in Essex, was sold on behalf of Geoff Clarkson to Philip Hoy for an undisclosed figure from an asking price of £275,000. This is a first time freehouse purchase for the new owner, who is a local man. The historic village of Dedham lies within Dedham Vale, surrounded by the pastoral landscape immortalised by the 19th-century painter John Constable. The Anchor building was recorded as an alehouse as early as 1769. The two-storey property is of brick and timber construction and comprises lounge bar, games room, restaurant and three-bedroom private accommodation. It stands in a large plot with car park, mature beer garden and paddock. Since taking over the Anchor Inn in 1997, Geoff Clarkson completely refurbished the trading areas and added a new beer cellar. The division of trade is currently 50% bar trade to 50% food trade. The inn's clientele includes customers from Colchester and Ipswich and well as local residents and tourists. Christie's Bill Colquhoun comments: "Needless to say, being a freehold freehouse in a world-famous tourist location, the Anchor Inn attracted significant interest from prospective purchasers and a competitive bidding situation quickly arose.