Change of hands at

the Mare & Foal

A couple who have worked as pub tenants and managers have fulfilled their ambition of buying their own freehold in a pretty Devon village.

Alex and Karen Ducksbury-Watkinson have bought the Mare & Foal, a village inn situated midway between Crediton and Exeter in the hamlet of Yeoford.

The opportunity to purchase the freehold arose after the couple recently sold their leasehold interest for the Bullers Arms, Chagford, through Bettesworths, which provided details of the Mare & Foal.

Karen explained: 'We have always enjoyed the pub trade and after running managed and tenanted pubs, our desire was to run our own freehouse.

'The Mare & Foal is just perfect because it is a pub we know we can ensure is at the heart of the community, and at the same time, appeal to visitors.

'We are a very happy family and we want to make the Mare & Foal a place where everyone will feel comfortable to visit, whether it is for a coffee and tea cake, a glass or wine, pint of beer or an enjoyable meal.

A spokesman for Bettesworths added: 'The freehouse already has a strong following of locals as well as its own pub skittles, dart and pool teams and, in the summer, its large attractive trade gardens suit alfresco-style drinking and dining.

The property features five separate character trading areas including 40-cover dining room, fully-equipped kitchen and skittle alley.

Plans have already been drawn up to convert part of the pub into five en-suite letting rooms. Outside, there are two trade gardens and a car park. Private accommodation has five double bedrooms.

Bettesworths sold the Mare & Foal off an asking price of £445,000.