The Dolphin Hotel Station Road Bovey Tracey TQ13 9AL

About The Pub

The Dolphin Hotel is a historic inn with rooms, set in a prime position at the gateway to Dartmoor National Park in the heart of Bovey Tracey. Built in the 1880s, the hotel/pub has long been a landmark in the town, first welcoming travellers and horse-drawn carriages heading for the moor. Its striking Victorian exterior has changed little in over 140 years, and the building remains full of character and history.

With its scale, facilities, and a major investment scheme planned by Hall & Woodhouse, The Dolphin offers an exceptional opportunity for the right operator to relaunch a closed business and create a thriving pub-hotel with strong local and visitor appeal.

The Dolphin is a substantial property, offering:

* 8 en-suite letting rooms
* A large function suite with its own bar, seating up to 100-140 guests
* Spacious trading areas (bar, dining, reception)
* A garden and on-site parking
* Two refurbished private apartments (one one-bed, one two-bed)
Hall & Woodhouse is investing £250,000 to refurbish the guest-facing areas, including the main bar and restaurant, entrance lobby, and toilets. The redesign will add covers by reclaiming the current reception and coffee station, creating a more efficient trading layout.

Location - Bovey Tracey

Bovey Tracey is a thriving market town of around 8,000 residents, set at the very edge of the spectacular Dartmoor National Park. Known locally as the "Gateway to the Moor", it attracts walkers, cyclists, and holidaymakers year-round, all looking to explore Dartmoor's dramatic landscapes and charming villages. The town itself has a lively community spirit, supported by independent shops, cafés, galleries, and a busy events calendar that ensures a steady flow of visitors as well as a loyal local customer base.

The Dolphin Hotel enjoys a prominent position on Station Road, with excellent road connections via the A382 linking to Newton Abbot and Moretonhampstead. Its location makes it an ideal stop for travellers heading into the moors or exploring South Devon's coast and countryside. With attractions such as Bovey Castle close by and Dartmoor on the doorstep, the Dolphin is perfectly placed to capture both local trade and the significant tourist traffic that passes through the town.

Private Accommodation

The Dolphin Hotel benefits from two recently refurbished private apartments. One is located on the top floor of the building and has one bedroom, a lounge, kitchen and bathroom. The other is located on the ground floor and has two bedrooms with an en-euite bathroom and an open plan lounge, kitchen and dining room.

Bedrooms - 3

Private kitchens - 2

Lounge/diners - 2

Bathrooms - 2

Top Line Figures

Rent: 9.5% of net turnover, with a minimum base rent of £66,800
Minimum Initial Investment: £44,800 inc, VAT
Fair Maintainable Trade* (FMT) Turnover: £850,000 per annum net, post refurb
Annual rent illustration based on FMT: £78,670

Full Investment Breakdown**

Fixtures & Fittings: Projected £85,000 (Inventory is an estimate net of VAT. Loan facilities are available for the purchase of fixtures and fittings)
.
Illustration of Year 1 Ingoings (excludes rent)

Deposit £7,500 VAT N/A
Working Capital*** £10,000 VAT N/A
Training Fee £1,000 Plus VAT
Change of DPS £250 Plus VAT
Digital Asset Fee £250 Plus VAT

F&F (Outright Purchase Option A) £85,000 Plus VAT
F&F (Purchase Agreement Option B) £8,500 Plus VAT

Total Option A £121,300 Inc VAT
Total Option B £44,800 Inc VAT

Additional Information

Estimated Wet/Dry/Accommodation Split: 45%/45%/10%
Business Rates**** Payable: £6.976 pa
Available From: Immediately
Closing Date for Applications: 31/10/25

E&OE

Trade

The Dolphin trades 7 days a week, with a strong community-focused offer that attracts a varied range of guests. The customer base includes a good mix of senior guests who enjoy a lunchtime treat, and young families who come for an early evening meal.

The spacious and sociable bar area allows for events all year round, supported by a large function room which can accommodate formal dining for up to 100 guests, and has its own private bar.

*Trade volumes for 2021-22 are for 7 months only (Jan - Aug 22), as the Dolphin Hotel was a new acquisition in January 2022.

"There is considerable potential to develop the business here in many different ways, given the pub's unique location and available space. The guest accommodation is a huge advantage to the business and with the event spaces, this could easily be built upon.

We are seeking an experienced, entrepreneurial operator with the skills and vision to relaunch this historic hotel".

The right partner will:

Have a proven track record in food-led hospitality with accommodation and events
Be confident in running a multi-stream business across rooms, dining, bar, and functions
Possess strong marketing and event skills to capture both the local market and tourist trade
Be community-minded, positioning the Dolphin once again as a hub for Bovey Tracey

"With its size, location, and planned investment, The Dolphin Hotel is a rare chance to take on a closed but well-known business and restore it to success".

Izzy Hersom

Business Development Partner


Misrepresentation

*Fair Maintainable Trade (FMT):

FMT is the level of turnover and profit that we believe that the business is capable of delivering if being operated competently. The FMT is usually calculated by the Business Development Partner for the pub to rent, who will produce a shadow profit and loss account for the business which supports the rent. A copy of the shadow profit and loss account will be provided during the recruitment process.

Code of Practice:

Please see our Code of Practice for more information on FMT and rent. The Fair Maintainable Trade is not a guarantee of levels of trade or profit that will be made from the business - we strongly recommend you seek appropriate independent legal and business advice as part of your Business Plan.

**The Full Investment Breakdown:

The Full Investment Breakdown for each public house is higher than the minimum investment we will accept. This is because potential Business Partners with the minimum investment available can still be accepted as we are able to offer them financial support for the rest of the monies.

***Working Capital:

The working capital incorporates the purchase of stock, glassware, loose catering effects and valuer fees - please note the number quoted on this website are based on estimates. The exact costs will be determined on the day you take on the public house by independent valuers and stock takers. Please see our Code of Practice for more information about investment.

****Business Rates Payable:

This figure reflects the current multipliers for 2025/2026 and the 40% hospitality relief, effective until 31/03/2026.