The Arundell, Fore Street, Lifton, Devon, PL16 0AA

Few properties in the United Kingdom carry the depth of heritage, the breadth of offer, and the sheer sense of place that The Arundell delivers. Set in the ancient village of Lifton in the heart of West Devon, this celebrated sporting and country hotel has been drawing discerning guests; fly fishermen, shooting parties, walkers, gastronomes and corporate retreats, for nearly a century. Today, following a comprehensive programme of capital investment and the rebuilding of a world class team, it is offered to market in the finest condition of its modern history.
For the right buyer, this is a rare opportunity. A freehold, income-generating, multi-revenue-stream business with formidable brand recognition, a loyal guest base, and critically, a series of clearly defined, immediately actionable growth levers that no previous owner has fully exploited.

The Arundell’s reputation was built on water and field, and that foundation has never been stronger. With access to 22 miles of private fishing across some of England’s most celebrated rivers, including the legendary Endsleigh stretch of the Tamar, the hotel draws fly fishermen from across the world in pursuit of wild fishing. Resident ghillies guide and tutor guests of every ability, and the on-site Tackle Shop offers a wide array of equipment and fly-fishing essentials.

Shooting is equally distinguished. The Arundell has cultivated direct relationships with the finest estates across Devon and Cornwall, offering guests exclusive access to some of the most sporting driven shooting, as well as authentic Field to Fork experiences. They stay longer, they dine more generously, drink better and they return year after year, making shooting a cornerstone of both the hotel’s out-of-season revenue strategy and its reputation for the extraordinary.

The Arundell's position in West Devon places it at the centre of one of England's most spectacular natural playgrounds. To the east, the vast moorland of Dartmoor National Park: 365 square miles of wild landscape offer world-class walking, hiking, mountain biking, horse riding and wild swimming. The hotel is the natural base for guests who want to explore it properly.

Away from the fishing beats, the rivers further down the Tamar valley provide excellent canoeing and kayaking, while Roadford Lake, one of the largest inland water bodies in the South-West, is minutes away for sailing, windsurfing and water sports. To the west and south lie the celebrated harbour towns, fishing villages and beaches of Devon and Cornwall: Looe, Padstow, Rock, Fowey, Port Isaac, Polzeath, Croyde, Saunton, and Salcombe. All within comfortable driving distance, making The Arundell an equally compelling base for coastal and cultural exploration.

This combination, moorland, rivers, coast and countryside, gives the hotel a breadth of outdoor appeal that most country hotels simply cannot match, and represents a significant, largely untapped marketing opportunity under new ownership.

Exceptional Food, Drink & Atmosphere
The Arundell's gastro pub and restaurant have undergone a quiet but remarkable transformation. Under the direction of a recently appointed award-winning head chef and a talented kitchen brigade, the F&B offer now draws guests from across the region, not just to the bedrooms, but to the tables. Month-on-month growth in restaurant covers, a thriving Sunday Lunch, and private dining offering all point to a food and drink operation that has earned genuine destination status though it still offers considerable untapped growth potential, particularly in the corporate and social events arena.

The Cockpit, centred on the historic cockfighting pit, one of the few surviving examples in England and now a uniquely atmospheric event and bar space is one of the most talked-about rooms in the South West. Its story alone is a marketing asset; its atmosphere is something a guest must simply experience though its full commercial potential remains largely unrealised and represents a compelling opportunity to unlock. Combined with the cosy, book-lined guest lounge with its log-burning fire, the hotel creates precisely the kind of warmth and character that no amount of capital expenditure can manufacture.

Events, Social & Corporate
The Arundell operates four distinct function spaces accommodating parties of up to 100 guests, overseen by a dedicated Events Manager. The corporate conference trade has proven resilient through economic cycles, a solid base of repeat clients regularly uses the hotel for away-days, strategy sessions, and private dining. This side of the business has significant room to grow under a more commercially focused marketing strategy.

Weddings and Social Events represent perhaps the single largest untapped opportunity. The hotel enjoys a setting of extraordinary beauty and possesses every ingredient; character, cuisine, grounds, fishing, countryside. Exactly what the luxury wedding market demands. It has barely scratched the surface of this segment. For a new owner with the right vision and marketing capability, this represents an immediately addressable and highly profitable revenue stream.

The Café & the Tesla Effect
Beyond its core hospitality offer, The Arundell has developed a commercial ecosystem that drives footfall, builds community loyalty and generates incremental revenue. The on-site café, housed in a characterfully converted former pub, offers locals and passing traffic a beautiful little rest break.

One of the most striking commercial innovations has been the installation of one of Devon and Cornwall's largest Tesla Supercharger stations — 16 bays in total. Over 26,000 drivers visited the site in 2025 alone, with the chargers now open to all electric vehicles, not just Tesla owners. These are not casual passers-by: they are affluent, time-rich travellers who stop for 30 to 45 minutes, browse the cafe, take lunch in the bar and discover the hotel. The potential to convert even a fraction of this captive audience into room and restaurant bookings is substantial and barely begun.

Hotel Facilities
Bar & Main restaurant - Central Bar & Gastro Pub with seating for 36 with an overflow into the Garden Room

The Ottery Room - Private dining room with seating for 12

Library Sitting Room - A traditional guest lounge with library, log burner and seating for 25

The Cafe - Situated by the main car park entrance, the cafe includes internal seating for 20 and a landscaped terrace with further seating for 24

The Tackle Shop - Located below the Tamar Room, facing onto the car park. Currently housing the fishing tackle shop

The Cockpit - Detached building set up as a small private events space, with a bar servery and seating for 8

Conferencing & Events
Function room- Formerly used as the main restaurant, now a dedicated function & events space and overflow restaurant with capacity for 70 main room with a further 25 covers in the adjoining Kingfisher Room

The Tamar Room - Detached building located in the car park. Capacity up to 100 people. The Tamar Room is not currently let as a function room, apart from for local community groups, as it could benefit from a light refurbishment to bring it up to the standard of the other facilities on site. Equally, this building could be converted into rooms or retail space subject to obtaining any necessary planning consents.

The Carey - Capacity up to 16 boardroom style, 22 on rounds and 30 theatre style

The Lyd - Capacity up to 10 people

The present owners have invested heavily in bringing The Arundell to a standard commensurate with its reputation. A programme of restoration and refurbishment totalling close to £1m has addressed the fabric of the building comprehensively. This property is being handed over to the new owners in a top condition. A full rewire, new plumbing, refurbished bathrooms, restored sash windows, a new restaurant floor, a solid oak library, LED lighting throughout, and complete redecoration of all 21 bedrooms and all public spaces.

The sustainability credentials are equally impressive. A biomass boiler and solar array generate both heat and Renewable Heat Incentive payments; a private borehole provides the hotel's entire water supply; and an on-site gasifier provides sparkling water for guests. New integrated PMS and EPOS systems, hotel-wide hi-speed wi-fi. In late 2025 the owners engaged a highly experienced hospitality consultant with an open mandate and budget to steer the business forward. The result is a leaner, sharper management team including a recently appointed general manager, delivering not merely a beautifully presented hotel but a professionally run operation that is performing strongly, with clear upward trajectory and the foundations in place for the next era of growth.

Bedrooms - 21 en-suite bedrooms

‘Fishing Cottage’ - Two-bedroom self-catering cottage with lounge, kitchen diner and bathroom

Dog Kennels - Heated dog kennels for use by guests

Gardens - Wonderful English country gardens with an outside terrace for guest use & opportunity for expansion. Enough space for a marquee for functions.

Car Parking Spaces - 60+

Tesla Super Chargers - 16

Main Hotel Site Area - Circa 1.65 acres

Fishing - 22 miles of private fishing

Tinhay Lake - Located 750 meters from the hotel, and 3 acres in size, set within a plot measuring circa 6.6 acres. The lakeside area offers development potential.

Staff Flat - Four bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 1 kitchen, 1 separate WC

The business is fully staffed, including management all reporting to the General Manager. The owners are not employed by the hotel but provide support and strategic input as and when required.

The Hotel
The hotel footprint has undeveloped land at the back and side of the hotel which, subject to planning permission, could be used for more rooms or facilities for the hotel.

The Tamar Room is currently underutilised and although it would suit continued use as a function space, a new owner may wish to convert the building into an alternative use such as additional letting units or possible a spa, subject obtaining any necessary planning consents.

Tinhay Lake (6-acres)
In addition to the river fishing the hotel offers fly-fishing on the lake which also holds significant development potential, either commercial or residential, or a combination of both. A scheme has been drafted “concept at this stage” by the current owner for the construction of six affordable properties and three high quality lakeside dwellings. The lake is in “Tinhay” village which falls within the regional zone for development. Initial investigations for development have all proved positive. Based on the size of the scheme, and phases it was undertaken, the next steps would be to conduct an ecology survey before presenting the planning application to the local council. However, should the business wish to develop a “fishing lodge” at the site this would not require an ecological study and a timber framed building may be erected. Alternatively a series of shepherd’s huts could be put on the site. This would generate additional income for the business. All schemes would be subject to obtaining planning consent.

The Arundell is held on a freehold basis. The Arundell also owns 4 miles of freehold fishing rights on the Tamar, as well as 4 miles freehold fishing on the Lyd, and also has 324 fully paid-up shares in the Endsleigh Fishing Club, which provides access for 2 rods on the famous Endsleigh waters. In addition to this the Arundell has leased rights for additional fishing on the Lyd, Thrushell, and Lew, making up a total of over 22 miles of private fishing.

Rateable value from 1 April 2026 £93,750.