Amazing West Country pub loved by locals, tourists and celebrities alike

A country pub in a picturesque Somerset village loved by celebrities and foodies has been sold. The Rock Inn, located in Waterrow, near Wiveliscombe in West Somerset, is surrounded by stunning countryside views, with the River Tone running through the village.

Husband and wife duo Daren and Ruth Barclay brought the pub and hotel onto the market after several successful years. Estate agents Christie & Co have listed their vacant property for sale for £465,000 and is described as being in a “scenic location in a wooded valley”.

The Rock Inn has now found a new owner after being sold for an undisclosed figure. Richard Wood, regional director in the Pubs & Restaurants team, said: “We are delighted to have sold the freehold share of The Rock Inn. This sale demonstrates the continued demand we have for pubs with potential to let in the South West of England.”

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The space, which dates back 450 years, includes eight guest rooms for tourists, a self-contained apartment for the owners, a restaurant and a bar with a capacity of up to 50 diners. The current owners have upgraded and added to the commercial kitchen, redecorated the rooms, created the garden terrace and replaced the oil boiler in 2019. Most of the windows are replaced with PVC double glazed windows.

The Rock Inn has a front garden terrace that seats about 20 patrons and includes a small wooded, elevated strip of land across the road that houses a metal storage container. The premises also has parking for approximately 10 cars plus additional parking for approximately 12 cars on a strip of land opposite as well as parking within the village.

The Rock Inn has regularly featured in The Good Pub Guide and has even been awarded a star for outstanding food. Its growing reputation among tourists and fine dining has inadvertently made The Rock Inn a popular spot for celebrities to visit for a meal.

Famous diners include actress Jodie Kidd, Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason, singer Joss Stone, TV presenters Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan, musician Louis Tomlinson and TV personality Spencer Matthews. But Daren and Ruth Barclay couldn’t explain why celebrities choose The Rock Inn for a quiet meal and drink – but theorized it could be down to word of mouth.

Mrs Barclay said: “It’s luck half the time. People like Spencer Matthews, those kind of people, they value quality. Even Louis Tomlinson, who might be an ordinary Doncaster lad, is the same.

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“He had a burger and we’re dog-friendly, so he sat with his dog. It’s a relaxed meal and people feel comfortable coming here.”

Former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher once appeared on his way to Glastonbury Festival in 2013 and even made a rock star entrance. Mrs Barclay recalled: “He was filming a video in the area and looking for a pub. It came to the side and I thought “I better open early”.

“There were actually people on social media who said they thought they saw Liam Gallagher.”