A revered seventeenth-century listed pub in the heart of the Cotswolds is back on the market after 12 years in private hands.

The Plough Inn sits in the heart of Cold Aston, a postcard village less than three miles from Bourton-on-the-Water and, as a proven Sunday lunch hit, less than 30 minutes' drive from Cheltenham.

Winning the accolade of CAMRA pub of the year in 2014, the Grade II-listed property, which had been closed for two years, was purchased in 2012 for around £575,000 and subsequently refurbished with a £500,000 budget by new owners Nick and Laura Avery, who combined the business with local farming and shooting interests.

Hereford-based commercial agents Sidney Philips, who are marketing the village green property which has four ensuite letting rooms said: "the Plough has been run in conjunction with [the current owners'] other business interest (they are local farmers) and the pub has achieved takings net of VAT of circa £260,000."

However, the sale notes that the business was let in 2018 to an independent operator on a private free-of-tie lease. It went on to trade successfully, the agent added, with accounts for the year ended November 30th 2021 showing net of VAT takings of £420,155.

Overlooking a small village square, the pub has an open-plan design arranged either side of a central bar servery, which features a tongue-and-grooved frontage and display back fitting.

The lounge area has a flagged floor, heavily beamed ceiling, part exposed stone walls, inglenook fireplace and assorted seating for 30, while alongside the bar, a reception/standing area is reported to be particularly popular with regular drinkers.

This room opens out into the restaurant section, which features a dining area with "a conservatory feel" and glazed patio door access onto garden. The restaurant area, aside from outside seating, offers 24 covers, while some 36 more are also in the outside area and a permanent awning/marquee provides seating for circa 50 more customers to the rear.



The pub's kitchens have a full selection of stainless steel catering effects and work surfaces, Altro non slip flooring and a six-section ceiling fitted galvanised extraction canopy, as well as an adjacent dry store. 

The four ensuite rooms are currently used for staff purposes.

The freehold of the Plough is offered at £750,000 to include goodwill, fixtures and fittings, with stock at valuation in addition. 



The archive site gloucestershirepubs.co.uk indicates that the Plough's first landlord records go back to 1891, but it is recorded as being a drinking hole since the 1600s. 

In the 1960s, records suggest that the pub was owned by the brewing giant Bass at a time when chicken in the basket was the most popular menu item. 

● Local tales of the pub report it being frequented by a ghost known as 'Old Harry', though he is not listed in the fixtures and fittings.