Historic Dartmoor-edge country inn to go under the hammer with guide of £285,000–£295,000
The Rising Sun Inn at Woodland, near Ashburton, offers a rare chance to revive a much-loved South Devon destination pub, or reimagine it for a new use. Viewing days are being held ahead of the 29 October auction.
The Rising Sun Inn, a characterful former country inn dating from around 1876, is to be sold by public online auction on Thursday 29 October 2026 through Charles Darrow, with a guide price of £285,000 to £295,000.
The freehold property sits in an attractive rural position at Woodland, between Ashburton and Newton Abbot on the edge of Dartmoor. For many years it traded as a well-known destination freehouse, drawing custom from Ashburton, Newton Abbot and the surrounding South Devon villages.
The business has now closed, and the inn is offered with vacant possession and its trade fixtures and fittings included in the sale. A series of viewing days has been arranged so that interested parties can see the property before the auction.
A wealth of period character
The Rising Sun retains many original features, including exposed beams, open fireplaces and painted rendered elevations. Inside, the trading areas are warm and welcoming, centred on a substantial wooden bar servery.
Extensive, versatile accommodation
The inn is arranged over ground and first floors, with trading space for around 108 covers:
- An open-plan lounge bar and dining room for around 80, with two open fireplaces
- A porch dining area for around 16, overlooking the beer garden
- A snug for around 12, with a pool table area
- A commercial kitchen with non-slip flooring, stainless steel work surfaces and extraction
- Dry store, glass store, large storage room, office and linen store
There are four en-suite letting bedrooms. Two are on the ground floor with their own private entrance, and two are on the first floor, including a family room.
To the rear of the first floor is a three-bedroom owners’ apartment, with two en-suite doubles, a further double bedroom, a lounge/diner with countryside views, a kitchen and a bathroom.
Generous grounds in a sought-after setting
The property stands on a site of approximately 0/.6 acres. Outside there is a lawned beer garden with a central water feature, a paved service courtyard and a substantial car park.
Ashburton, a popular historic market town known for its independent shops, cafés and restaurants, is close by. Newton Abbot offers wider amenities and a mainline railway station, while the nearby A38 Devon Expressway links to Exeter, Plymouth and the M5.
Ready to reopen, or ripe for reinvention
With its premises licence understood to remain in place, commercial kitchen and letting rooms, the Rising Sun is well placed for an operator wishing to reopen it as a pub, restaurant or inn.
Its size, layout and rural setting could also suit a range of other commercial and residential uses, subject to planning and any other necessary consents. Possibilities could include holiday or guest accommodation, a café or farm-shop style venue, or conversion to residential use.
Agent’s comment
Jon Clyne, Director at Charles Darrow, said: The Rising Sun has been part of this corner of South Devon for 150 years, and it’s rare to find a freehold inn of this size, character and setting coming to the market, particularly at this price – when it is so well presented. Whether a buyer wants to bring the pub back to life or take it in a new direction, there is real potential here. We’d encourage anyone interested to come along to one of the viewing days.”
Auction details
The Rising Sun Inn will be offered by public online auction on 29 October 2026, with a guide price of £285,000–£295,000. The legal pack is available on registration at