The Holly Bush Inn, Greenhaugh Near Kielder, Northumberland, NE48 1PW

The Holly Bush is an old drovers Inn dating back more than 300 years.

This beautifully presented Inn is well known with an excellent reputation for its ales, deliciously prepared local and seasonal food, and accommodation offering. From it's lovely public bar with blazing fire to a great range of top quality ales, fantastic food and comfortable bedrooms, the Inn has everything receiving great reviews from the press, such as the Sunday Telegraph (2019).

With seven stylish en-suite rooms, the Holly Bush Inn is a firm favourite with tourists to the area. An ideal stop-over for travellers enroute to and from Scotland, overspill of wedding guests visiting Otterburn and for those exploring the wider Northumberland region.

The pub in celebrated author Ann Cleeves’ novel ‘The Darkest Evening’ is inspired by the Holly Bush Inn. The Holly Bush Inn is proud to be recognised by Trip Advisor, CAMRA / Good Beer Guide, Cask Marque, Kayak Travel Awards, Restaurant Guru, Stay in a Pub and Good to Go and has won numerous Awards, including the Most Hospitable Traditional Hotel in the North East, awarded by LUXlife website in its Resorts and Retreats Awards 2020.

For further information, please click the link to the business' dedicated website Holly Bush Inn.

The Holly Bush Inn is located in the Northumberland village of Greenhaugh, north-west of Bellingham.

Set in the heart of the beautiful Northumberland National Park and the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park, the Inn is surrounded by fantastic countryside with very little light pollution and very dark skies, making it a popular destination for visitors.

The fantastic Kielder Observatory and Kielder Water & Forest Park is approximately 18 miles away, with Hexham around a 30 minute drive, Newcastle and Carlisle an hour away. Newcastle International Airport is a 45 minute drive.

Central entrance with main bar area to the right, table and chair seating for c.20 customers in a relaxed setting, with exposed wooden beams and log fireplace.

To the left of the bar area is two other restaurant/dining areas with table and chair seating for c.25 customers.

Ancillary areas include: Commercial grade kitchen, wash up area, cellar, laundry, customer WCs, boiler room and storage.

The first floor above the Inn comprises of three en-suite bedrooms accessed via the main Inn.

Four additional rooms are located in the adjacent cottage, with one on the ground floor and two on the first floor. A third bedroom can be accessed via the beer garden.

All fixtures, fittings and equipment are owned outright and included in the sale, with the exception of a small number of personal items owned by the vendors

The Holly Bush Inn has seven en-suite bedrooms: one single and three doubles and three family rooms, which are immaculately presented throughout.

Three rooms are above the pub, and for those guests wanting a quieter stay, rooms are available in the cottage adjoining the pub – these are the Gatehouse, Waterhead and Highgreen rooms, Redheugh which is a single room.

The Inn has been awarded Trip Advisor Certificates of Excellence consecutively from 2014 to 2020 and the Travellers' Choice award 2024 and 2025 for the overall experience it offers.

The Holly Bush Inn prides itself in the views over the Tarset Valley to the rear, from the large beer garden with firepit, covered areas and seating for c.50 customers.

With plenty of storage available in the outbuildings, there is a secure locked area for pedal bike storage for up to four bikes and drying facilities for rainy days.

There is free roadside parking in the hamlet of Greenhaugh, but no covered parking is available.

The Holly Bush Inn presents a brilliant opportunity to acquire a long established business. Well renowned, the business is incredibly busy and has potential to grow further.

The business would suit an owner operator but also support a management team, therefore appealing to local, regional and even national multi-site operators.

The business is owner operated and supported by a contingent of full and part-time staff.

A full staffing schedule can be provided to seriously interested parties on request.

We are advised that annualised turnover to 24.06.2026 was c.£352,000 net of VAT, with an adjusted Net Profit of c.£75,000.

Full accounts and year to date figures will be provided to seriously interested and proceedable parties on request.

Bar
Mon, Tues, Thurs: 4pm - 9pm
Wed: 4pm - 8pm
Fri: 4pm - 12am
Sat: 12pm - 12am
Sun: 12pm - 10pm

Restaurant
Mon - Sun: 5pm - 8pm

The bar and restaurant are licenced to operate until 2am.

The lease commenced on 1 May 2019 for a term of 20 years, expiring on 30 April 2039 (incorporating the terms and conditions of the original lease dated 29 June 2009).

The lease has approximately 12 years and six months remaining, with an expiry date of 30 April 2039.

Annual rent: £ £21,960

The Rateable Value as of 1 April 2026 is £15,000.

The current owner has confirmed they qualify for small business relief and pay £870 per annum. Confirmation of actual rates payable can be obtained from the local Authority.

Premises License