Lincolnshire pub for sale with famous connections

A Lincolnshire pub with a connection to a well-known radio programme has been put up for sale.

The Bull Inn, located in Rippingdale, South Kesteven, near Borne, is on the market for offers in the region of £300,000.

Its sale is attracting a particularly high amount of attention due to the connection with the BBC Radio 4 soap, The Archers. The Bull Inn is thought to have been the inspiration behind the long-running series.

The story goes that local man Henry Burt, a nationally recognised expert in crops and an influential NFU member at the time, spoke to the BBC at a national conference and put forward the idea of an aspirational farming character that the nation could get behind.

BBC producer Godfrey Baseley was interested and went on to develop the concept of The Archers.

The sale, which is being handled by Colliers International, will include the two-storey pub; beer terrace; outbuildings; gardens; and car parking for 20 cars. The outbuildings have been particularly converted to provide accommodation in the form of two twin rooms, one suite, one double and a single.

Peter Vass, surveyor with Colliers, commented: “The previous owners did not take advantage of the pub's status as a potential tourist attraction. Given the right publicity and working with Lincolnshire County Council Tourism, there is the potential to convert part of the pub in to an Archers theme room where presentations and talks could take place and special functions held, showcasing meals from the Archers' cook book.

“This coupled with the additional revenue available from the pub ad letting accommodation, means the Bull could offer significant financial return as a lifestyle business.”