Welsh inn leaves family after 400 years' ownership

The Glan-Yr-Afon inn, which overlooks the Dee estuary in North Wales, has changed hands after more than 400 years of ownership by the same family.

This long tenure has won the 16th century inn a mention in the Guinness Book of Records. The sale is only the fourth time the property has changed hands in the past 500 years.

The inn, which sits on the A55 expressway near Holywell in Flintshire, has been owned by Mr and Mrs Pepe Pastor since 1986.

Along with a lounge-bar, a 40-seat restaurant and a function room for up to 70 people, the property also incorporates eight en-suite letting bedrooms and a two-bedroom owners' flat.

It was bought on behalf of the Hercules Pub Company by Mercury Management, which will run the inn.

The Manchester office of Colliers Robert Barry sold the inn for a sum very close to the asking price of £695,000.