Wiltshire freehouse goes to local wine merchant

The King John Inn, a South Wiltshire village freehouse near Madonna and Guy Ritchie's country home, has been sold to a local wine merchant.

Alex Boon, who also owns the nearby Museum Wines, has taken on the pub in the Main Street of Tollard Royal. The village lies in the chalk downlands of Cranborne Chase (an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) on the Wiltshire/Dorset border.

The detached character property, which dates from 1859, takes its name from King John House, the medieval building alongside the village church that was built as a hunting lodge for the Plantagenet king.

The business comprises a public bar, a 34-seat dining room, three en-suite bedrooms, a manager's flat, a two-bedroom detached owners' cottage, a beer garden and a car park

The Winchester office of Christie + Co sold the freehold off a guide price of £675,000 on behalf of Michelle and Tim Birks.

By Angela Frewin