The Royal Oak is a Grade II Listed character village freehouse with origins reputedly dating back to the 16th Century. The inn takes its name from the ancient oak tree, standing outside the pub on the village green, and estimated to be over 900 years old. The Royal Oak retains an abundance of original period features, including exposed ceiling beams, flagstone flooring and an inglenook fireplace creating an atmosphere of charm and character. The property offers attractive trading areas allowing customers to enjoy informal drinks, and relaxed dining. The business is equipped with an inventory of trade fixtures and fittings and is being offered by way of a new free of tie lease. This is a unique opportunity to run a highly desirable moorland village public house with genuine potential for incoming operators to develop their own style of trade to suit their personal requirements. The traditional character premises briefly comprise: - Main Bar seating 30 customers, Lounge Bar seating 30 customers, First Floor Commercial Kitchen, Preparation Room & Wash Up, Owner’s Bedroom, Bathroom, and Storerooms. Externally to the front is a Customer Seating Area for 50 customers overlooking the village green.
SITUATION
The Royal Oak occupies an enviable position at the heart of the quintessential village of Meavy, surrounded by the stunning countryside of Dartmoor National Park and the village offers immediate access to some of the country’s finest walking, cycling, horse riding and outdoor pursuits, attracting visitors and day trippers throughout the year. This desirable and unspoilt West Devon village is located approximately a mile from Burrator Reservoir a popular beauty spot and nature reserve, 7 miles from the historic market town of Tavistock, and 11 miles from the city of Plymouth. Dartmoor National Park is world renowned for its rugged and stunning moorland scenery, granite tors, wildlife, and breathtaking panoramic views. The Royal Oak occupies the perfect trading position within the village, overlooking the village green and surrounding countryside.
INTERNAL DETAILS
Ground Floor
Customer entrance door to the front into;
Entrance Hall with flagstone flooring and doors into;
Main Bar an attractive and traditional character room with flagstone flooring, exposed ceiling beams, feature inglenook fireplace with inset wood burner, feature lighting, freestanding wooden tables, chairs, and bench seating for around 30 customers.
Lounge Bar an attractive room with exposed ceiling beams, part wood panelled walls, feature lighting, wood effect flooring, freestanding wooden tables and chairs for around 30 customers.
Bar Servery Area serving both bars and fitted with a range of traditional back bar fittings and extensive display shelving, non-slip flooring, 3 double glass fronted bottle fridges, glass fronted upright fridge and a stainless-steel sink.
Ladies & Gents WCs.
Beer Cellar temperature controlled on the ground floor with stillage and delivery door to the front.
Storeroom with racked shelving, chest freezer, under counter fridge and stairs to a Loft Store Area.
First Floor
Commercial Catering Kitchen with non-slip flooring, part wipe clean clad and part stainless steel clad walls, fitted with a range of catering equipment to include:- extractor system with stainless-steel canopy, stainless-steel sink, flat top griddle, double floor standing deep fat fryers, eye level grill, stainless-steel shelving, warming lamps and stainless-steel workbench.
Wash Up & Preparation Room with non-slip flooring, part wipe clean clad walls, double bowl stainless-steel sink, commercial dishwasher, stainless-steel shelving, low level fridges and a plate warming cabinet.
Storeroom with non-slip flooring, extensive stainless steel racked shelving, upright fridges and freezers.
Owner’s Bedroom a good-sized double bedroom with aspect to the front and a disused fireplace.
Bathroom with a shower over the bath.
EXTERNAL DETAILS
Directly to the front of the Royal Oak is an attractive Cobbled Terrace Seating Area providing bench seating for around 50 customers with views over the village green and surrounding countryside. Adjoining the pub is a stone-built Storeroom housing the oil tank and boiler and a wood store area.
THE BUSINESS
The Royal Oak is a popular and busy traditional village freehouse which benefits from strong local trade from the village and is also frequented by customers from the surrounding hamlets, villages, and towns. The Royal Oak also attracts visitors to the area, day trippers, tourists, hikers, runners, and cyclists, benefitting from its moorland position, just over a mile from Burrator Reservoir, a popular and well-known beauty spot and nature reserve. The Royal Oak is owned by Burrator Parish Council, and new tenants will run it as an independent business, benefitting from an inventory of trade fixtures and fittings. The business has received numerous excellent reviews on Google. A viewing appointment is essential in order to fully appreciate all that this traditional character village freehouse offers and the opportunity that exists. Interested parties should note that the new lease will not specify the opening hours of the Royal Oak.
TRADING INFORMATION
The business is currently open and trading with the existing tenants due to vacate in mid-December 2026. We do not have any trading information for the business.
POTENTIAL
The Royal Oak offers tremendous potential for new owners to operate this characterful and well-equipped village pub and restaurant business in an idyllic moorland village community.
BUSINESS RATES
2026 List: £34,500. The likely rates payable are circa £13,180 per annum (subject to confirmation).
SERVICES
We are advised that all mains services are connected to the property, except mains gas. Oil central heating.
TRADE INVENTORY
The majority of the fixtures and fittings are owned by the landlords and can be used free of charge. An inventory of the landlord’s fixtures and fittings will be provided.
PRICE & TENURE
Nil Premium for a new free of tie lease. The Royal Oak is being offered by way of a new 6-year lease from Burrator Parish Council. The proposed commencing rent is £25,000 per annum, although the landlords are willing to consider sensible proposals regarding initial rent concessions/discounts, whilst the business is being re-established. The lease benefits from internal repairing and insuring terms and free of all ties. Tenants will be free to decide their own opening hours, in accordance with the Premises Licence.
PROSPECTIVE TENANTS
The Parish Council are keen to maintain the pubs traditional character and its value to the local community. Interested parties should ideally be able to demonstrate that they have experience within the hospitality and catering industry. They will also need to provide a brief business plan, proof of funding and any other supporting information.
