West Somerton's Lion changes hands

First-time pub buyers Tony and Tracey Wilkins have bought the Lion freehouse in the village of West Somerton in Norfolk.

The property sits on the banks of the River Thurne in Norfolk's Broadland National Park and is two miles inland from Winterton on Sea and eight miles from Great Yarmouth.

The Lion, which dates back to the 1800s, serves real ales and lunchtime and evening meals in the public and lounge bars.

It includes a family room, three-bedroom owners' accommodation, and three en-suite bedrooms to the rear.

There is enormous scope to increase the B&B business, which currently accounts for just 10% of trade (against 50% from the bar and 40% from food), and the inn has planning permission to add another three letting bedrooms in outbuildings.

The Ipswich office of Christie + Co sold the freehold off an asking price of £320,000 on behalf of retiring owners Ian and Sue Milroy.

By Angela Frewin