The Killingworth Castle, near Woodstock and Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, has been placed on the market with Colliers International.
The multiple-award-winning 17th century coaching inn is situated in the village of Wootton, offers 70 covers, an attractive beer garden and also eight letting bedrooms, which have been refurbished to a high standard — with scope to add more. There is also a four-bedroom flat for the owners.
With sales of £795,000 net and rising, The Killingworth Castle is on the market at £1.5 million for the freehold.
Colliers’ hotels director, Peter Brunt, said: “Apparently Winston Churchill used to drive out from Blenheim Palace, but it’s just as popular today with commuters returning home and for Londoners escaping the city. It’s on a popular route for bypassing Oxford, so has great visibility and passing trade.”
The Killingworth Castle was bought in 2012 by Claire and Jim Alexander, who also own the multi-award-winning pub, restaurant and bed and breakfast establishment The Ebrington Arms, near Chipping Campden.
Following a comprehensive refurbishment, it re-opened in December 2012, and in May 2015, eight luxury en-suite bed and breakfast rooms were added.
Peter said: “Great locations in combination with lovely properties allow fantastic businesses to thrive, and in The Killingworth Castle all those align in this handsome and substantial residential inn.
“The Killingworth Castle has huge markets to target. Oxford, Woodstock and Blenheim Palace are world-renowned destinations to have on your doorstep, drawing crowds all year round. As well as being at a gateway to the Cotswolds, Bicester is a short drive away and the Village outlet is a major draw.
“There is character aplenty with beams and fireplaces and lots of capacity — 70 covers in three good public rooms, plus space for drinking at the bar. January room sales doubled on last year with clear potential for much increased occupancy.
“Add to this eight beautifully appointed letting bedrooms and a very large four-bedroom flat, offering further letting bedroom potential, and you have a great property that can capitalise on the excellent location.”
The restaurant at The Killingworth Castle was included in the Sunday Telegraph’s 2013 list of top 500 eateries in the UK, and it was named restaurant of the year 2013 and pub of the year 2014 by the Oxford Times.
CAMRA voted The Killingworth Castle North Cotswold pub of the year three times. It has also picked up two AA rosettes for its food and four stars for its accommodation.
