Masons Arms, Knowstone, South Molton, EX36 4RY

The Masons Arms is a striking thatched village pub-restaurant, rich in character and dating back to the 13th Century. This Grade II Listed inn features classic period elements including inglenook fireplaces, exposed beams and cob walls, all presented to a high standard throughout.

The property has also been extended to include an impressive open-plan owners’ Kitchen/Diner to accompany the rest of the four bedroom accommodation.

A successful, food-led destination pub, The Masons Arms delivers strong, consistent turnover and excellent net profits.

Offered for sale due to retirement after 20 years, this is a rare opportunity to acquire a thriving, character-filled country inn. A viewing is highly recommended.

Knowstone is a small parish in Devon, located between Tiverton and South Molton. Knowstone is on the edge of the Exmoor National Park, an area of open moorland in North Devon.

The Masons Arms presents a high‑quality, well‑equipped trading environment, offering approximately 50 covers across the main bar, restaurant and lounge areas. The business is further supported by a fully equipped commercial kitchen, cellar and additional storage rooms, providing an efficient and well‑balanced operational layout.

On entering the property, you are welcomed into the main bar, where the bar servery sits straight ahead. This characterful space features slate flooring, exposed wooden beams and a charming open fireplace, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The bar area currently accommodates approximately 12 covers. From here, access is available to the private owner’s accommodation on the left.

To the right, steps lead down into a cosy reception/lounge area, complete with a log burner and exposed beams. This space is presently arranged with comfortable seating for around 10 guests, making it ideal for pre or post dining drinks, coffee, or small informal meetings. The customer toilet facilities are also accessed via this room. A door from the lounge provides access to the front of the pub.

Continuing towards the rear of the building, a dedicated staff service area leads through to the restaurant, which is currently laid out for approximately 22 covers. The restaurant benefits from attractive countryside views from the rear and side windows and is enhanced by a beautifully painted ceiling mural, adding a distinctive and memorable feature to the dining experience.

Additionally, the property includes a fully functional commercial kitchen with side access, and a cellar located behind the bar, complemented by an additional storeroom, ensuring ample space for stock and supplies.

The owners accomodation is across the ground and first floor and has previuously been used for letting accomodation.

All fixtures and fittings are owned outright and are included in the sale price, except a few personal items which will be retained by the owner.

Externally, the pub benefits from front parking for several vehicles and a garage/storage barn. To the rear, the garden is in two parts, a patio area that currently sits 16 before stepping down to a larger picturesque lawned garden with far reaching views over Exmoor and potential seating for 20+. There is also a private owners’ garden that could be easily combined into the customer area to extend the offering.

The property benefits from superb, extended owners’ accommodation on two floors and with its own private entrance, offering generous family sized living space finished to an excellent standard. The private quarters include four well proportioned bedrooms, a comfortable sitting room, and an impressive open‑plan kitchen/dining/family room created as part of a recent extension, this room has also been the dedicated area for cooking master classes put on by the current owners. Three of the bedrooms have had their ensuites replaced with wardrobe space, however there is still a family bathroom and one ensuite on the first floor. Additionally on the ground floor is an on office and a play room.

This high quality accommodation makes the property particularly attractive for those seeking a strong work‑life balance and a comfortable family home directly linked to a successful business.

Detached from the pub is a building of wooden construction, currently used as a log store.

The Masons Arms offers scope to further grow and develop the business. There is potential to increase food‑led trade by opening on Sundays to introduce a traditional Sunday lunch offering, while extended opening hours during the summer months would allow operators to fully capitalise on seasonal demand. The external trading area presents an excellent opportunity to grow wet and dry sales through the introduction of a suitably themed summer menu, events, or casual outdoor dining. In addition, there is considerable longer term upside through the potential conversion of the first floor bedrooms, currently forming part of the owner’s accommodation, into bed and breakfast accommodation, creating an additional income stream and enhancing the pub’s appeal to tourists and destination diners.

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 12:00 - 14:00 / 18:00 - 23:00
Thursday: 12:00 - 14:00 / 18:00 - 23:00
Friday: 12:00 - 14:00 / 18:00 - 23:00
Saturday: 12:00 - 14:00 / 18:00 - 23:00
Sunday: Closed

The property is being sold Freehold.

The future rateable value (1 April 2026) is £22,000.