An unusually profitable, low-intensity hospitality business
£124,000 income | £65,000 EBITDA | >90% gross margin | Strong 2027 forward bookings
A hospitality business that doesn't require the purchaser to buy themselves a full-time job.
The Inn is a highly unusual proposition within the hospitality market: an established, year-round group accommodation business generating around £124,000 annual income and approximately £65,000 EBITDA, with a proven trading history and substantial forward bookings already secured for 2027.
Why this business is different
Unlike a conventional pub, hotel or restaurant, this beautiful country inn Inn does not depend on daily trade.
- £124,000 annual income
- £65,000 EBITDA
- Gross profit margin exceeding 90%
- Strong forward bookings already secured for 2027
- Relatively low seasonality – trading throughout the year
- Bookings typically made months in advance
- No restaurant operation
- No daily pub opening
- No dependence on walk-in trade
- Low owner time commitment
The result is a business where the owner can plan their workload and personal time around an established booking calendar, rather than being tied to the premises seven days a week.
A very different cost and operating model
The UK hotel sector is facing continuing pressure from payroll, employment costs and business rates. Knight Frank's latest 2025 figures show regional UK hotels achieving an average 30.3% gross operating profit margin, while payroll represented approximately 31% of revenue.
The Inn's business model is fundamentally different.
With over 90% gross margin and approximately £65,000 EBITDA on £124,000 revenue, the business converts an unusually high proportion of its income into operating profit.
This is achieved without the staffing, food and beverage operation and daily trading requirements associated with a conventional hotel or pub.
Income visibility
A major attraction is the booking pattern.
Customers typically book well ahead, meaning that future income can be seen and planned for months in advance. Forward bookings for 2027 are already at a level broadly comparable with the latest annual income, providing a purchaser with immediate evidence of continuing demand.
This is not a business where the owner starts each month needing to generate the next month's revenue.
The lifestyle proposition
For a purchaser seeking a hospitality business, semi-retirement opportunity or established income-producing lifestyle business in one of the UK's most picturesque areas, the Inn offers a particularly unusual combination:
Established income
High profit conversion
Advance bookings
Year-round trading
Low owner involvement
Scope for further growth
The existing business is already highly profitable. Further opportunities exist for a new owner to develop revenue through weddings, corporate bookings, tie ins with leisure businesses such as golfing, and walking groups and other complementary activities, but the current business does not depend upon those opportunities being realised.
In essence
The Inn combines the income potential of an established hospitality business with an operating model much closer to a low-intensity accommodation investment.
For a purchaser considering a pub, hotel or holiday accommodation business, this is an opportunity to acquire a proven £124,000 income stream and approximately £65,000 EBITDA without taking on the conventional day-to-day hospitality workload.
A rare combination of character property, established trading income and genuine lifestyle flexibility.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Inn is a highly unusual proposition within the hospitality market: an established, year-round group accommodation business generating around £124,000 annual income and approximately £65,000 EBITDA, with a proven trading history and substantial forward bookings already secured for 2027. The property is a substantial Grade II* listed historic country inn, with origins dating back to the 13th Century, having welcomed Elizabeth I, Henry VIII (with the indentures on the walls) and more recently Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who reputedly developed the idea for The Hound Of The Baskervilles at the property. For the last 6 years it has traded as a unique self-catering holiday rental, this profitable and successful business also boasts a self-contained 2 double bedroom owner’s house within the grounds, with an open plan sitting room/kitchen and dining room, bathroom and cloakroom. The main property benefits from tremendous charm and an abundance of character and has been well maintained and improved by our client over the last 11 years of ownership. Presented to an extremely high standard throughout, the property extends over 3 floors and offers: - 11 high-quality individual themed ensuite bedrooms/suites (with a potential 12th bedroom), main private bar, snug/library, lounge, dining rooms, snooker room, games area with darts alley, large kitchen, cloakrooms, beer cellar, storage rooms and laundry room. The grounds extend to around ½ an acre comprising lawned gardens with a barbeque area, private decked seating area, extensive car parking and an owner’s private garden area with vegetable patches and fruit trees.
THE BUSINESS
The Inn combines the income potential of an established hospitality business with an operating model much closer to a low-intensity accommodation investment. For a purchaser considering a pub, hotel or holiday accommodation business, this is an opportunity to acquire a proven and consistent income stream and approximately £65,000 EBITDA without taking on the conventional day-to-day hospitality workload. A rare combination of character property established trading income and genuine lifestyle flexibility. The sale of the business and property offers a unique opportunity to purchase an extremely well-presented historic inn with rooms, which has traded as a unique self-catering single holiday let business for the past 6 years. The property has been owned by our client for 11 years during which time the property has been sympathetically and meticulously refurbished, whilst retaining and enhancing the history and character. Offering self-catering accommodation for private groups of up to 24 people, the property is ideal for extended family breaks, special occasions and even business/conference events. The business trades successfully year-round, with key holiday periods usually being booked up a year in advance, with many returning guests. All advertising and bookings are fully managed by Sykes Holiday Cottages, meaning the owner can be remote if required, with a cleaning company currently employed for change over days. Consequently, the business offers our client a superb way of life with impressive profits, whilst enjoying the separate owner’s accommodation on site. The owner chooses to close for several weeks throughout the year to allow for holidays etc. The property benefits from numerous impressive reviews. This is undoubtedly an enviable home and income opportunity, which commands in excess of £7,500 per week during peak periods, and it is offered for sale due to our client’s wish to retire.
TRADING INFORMATION
Accounts for the year ending 31st March 2025 shows turnover of £124,141 and a healthy net profit of £65,000 being generated. Forward bookings for 2027 are already broadly comparable with the latest annual income. This can be maintained if it is run as a lifestyle business, as our client does, or increased if the business levels are further developed. Accounts available following a viewing.
