One of Cornwall’s most popular waterside pubs has been sold after going on the market with a price tag of almost £1.4 million.

The 18th-century Shipwrights Arms in Helford was put up for sale last August, with agents Charles Darrow saying there had been a "high level of interest" in it.

The Grade II listed, two-storey thatched freehouse dates back to the 1700s but has been significantly refurbished throughout the years, while still retaining many of its original features, including exposed beams and stone walls, and flagstone floors throughout.

The Shipwrights Arms is a popular riverside pub

The Shipwrights Arms is a popular riverside pub

For the last five years it has been owned and run by Roger and Laura Fergus, who also have the Royal Standard at Flushing, with Roger previously running the Three Mackerel in Falmouth and the Boathouse.

However, he told the Packet last year that after 25 years in the industry the time was right to step back a bit, although the family would continue running the Royal Standard.

He said: "There comes a point in time when you have to peg back a little bit and this year is that time.

"It's with a heavy heart and mixed feelings. It's always been one of my favourite pubs, even prior to buying it."

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Devon-based estate agents Charles Darrow said the sale "represented an amazing opportunity for the right buyer to continue a brisk and thriving trade."

The freehold was sold off a guide price of £1.395m to a private investor, who intends to run the site under management and ‘as is’.

The sale included a private jetty, licensed to the pub and available all year round for customers.

The pub itself has capacity for more than 90 covers across four areas: The Mermaid Terrace with seating for 16 diners, the main lounge bar that includes seating for around 40 diners and the central wooden bar, The ‘Fisherman’s’ seating a further 18 diners and the ‘Yachtsman’s’ with tables for 16 customers.

The main lounge bar

The main lounge bar

On the first floor is three-bedroomed owners' accommodation with a private side entrance.

Outside, there are further tiered terraces with extra picnic bench seating for more than 100 customers, and parking for eight vehicles, with planning permission in place for a larger car park as well as five letting bedrooms.

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Jon Clyne, director of Charles Darrow, said: "Despite the obvious trading challenges that exist in the current climate, the expectation is that sites like this will burst with customers when the staycation holidays start in earnest again.

"The Shipwrights is truly an iconic inn that, given the interest we had, we could have sold several times over – hence terms were agreed very quickly.

"The general consensus in the marketplace is a bit doom and gloom, but opportunities like this, in the south west are receiving significant interest and we expect that trajectory to continue."