The Rock Inn in Somerset sold

The freehold of Somerset restaurant the Rock Inn at Waterrow near Taunton, has been sold for an undisclosed sum.

The business has been run by Joanna Oldman (chef) and Matt Harvey (front of house) for several years.

Harvey previously worked at Raymond Blanc's Le Petit Blanc and then at the Hotel du Vin chain, while Oldman previously worked at Tante Marie cookery school.

The 400-year-old property, which was originally a smithy and became the Rock House Inn in around 1850, has a 35-cover restaurant, 20-cover private dining room, eight en-suite letting bedrooms, owner's accommodation, large car park and picnic bench seating for the summer months.

Jon Clyne, associate director of Christie + Co in Exeter, which brokered the deal, said: "The Rock Inn is widely considered the best dining experience in the area and attracted repeat trade from a wide area, as well as tourists and passing trade. Locally there are multiple holiday lets, caravan parks, bed and breakfast establishments and letting chalets, all of which interact with the pub itself.

"The purchasers, recently-married Daren and Ruth Barclay, are keen to build on the excellent trade Matt and Joanna built up over the years, whilst adding small tweaks to the menu, with a refurbishment planned for early 2014."