Dolphin Hotel
Station Road, Bovey Tracey, Devon, TQ13 9AL
The Dolphin Hotel is a historic inn with rooms, set in a prime position at the gateway to Dartmoor National Park in the heart of Bovey Tracey. Built in the 1880s, the hotel/pub has long been a landmark in the town, first welcoming travellers and horse-drawn carriages heading for the moor. Its striking Victorian exterior has changed little in over 140 years, and the building remains full of character and history.
With its scale, facilities, and a major investment scheme planned by Hall & Woodhouse, The Dolphin offers an exceptional opportunity for the right operator to relaunch a closed business and create a thriving pub-hotel with strong local and visitor appeal.
The Dolphin is a substantial property, offering:
• 8 en-suite letting rooms
• A large function suite with its own bar, seating up to 100–140 guests
• Spacious trading areas (bar, dining, reception)
• A garden and on-site parking
• Two refurbished private apartments (one one-bed, one two-bed)
Hall & Woodhouse is investing £250,000 to refurbish the guest-facing areas, including the main bar and restaurant, entrance lobby, and toilets. The redesign will add covers by reclaiming the current reception and coffee station, creating a more efficient trading layout.
Dolphin Hotel Highlights:
- Beautiful location on the edge of Dartmoor
- Rent 9.5% of net turnover
- Fair Maintainable Trade* (FMT) Turnover: £850,000 per annum net, post refurbishment
- 8 en-suite guest rooms
- Large function room and banqueting suite, with own private bar
- Spacious trade areas
- 2 newly refurbished private apartments
- Major investment scheme planned
Private Accommodation:
The Dolphin Hotel benefits from two recently refurbished private apartments. One is located on the top floor of the building and has one bedroom, a lounge, kitchen and bathroom. The other is located on the ground floor and has two bedrooms with an en-euite bathroom and an open plan lounge, kitchen and dining room.
Bedrooms – 3
Private kitchens – 2
Lounge/diners – 2
Bathrooms – 2
Bovey Tracey is a thriving market town of around 8,000 residents, set at the very edge of the spectacular Dartmoor National Park. Known locally as the “Gateway to the Moor”, it attracts walkers, cyclists, and holidaymakers year-round, all looking to explore Dartmoor’s dramatic landscapes and charming villages. The town itself has a lively community spirit, supported by independent shops, cafés, galleries, and a busy events calendar that ensures a steady flow of visitors as well as a loyal local customer base.
The Dolphin Hotel enjoys a prominent position on Station Road, with excellent road connections via the A382 linking to Newton Abbot and Moretonhampstead. Its location makes it an ideal stop for travellers heading into the moors or exploring South Devon’s coast and countryside. With attractions such as Bovey Castle close by and Dartmoor on the doorstep, the Dolphin is perfectly placed to capture both local trade and the significant tourist traffic that passes through the town.
- Rent: 9.5% of net turnover, with a minimum base rent of £66,800
- Minimum Initial Investment: £44,800 inc, VAT
- Fair Maintainable Trade* (FMT) Turnover: £850,000 per annum net, post refurbishment
Full Investment Breakdown**
- Fixtures & Fittings: Projected £85,000 (Inventory is an estimate net of VAT. Loan facilities are available for the purchase of fixtures and fittings).
| Illustration of Year 1 Ingoings (excludes rent) |
Net |
|
VAT |
|
Inc VAT |
| Deposit |
£ 7,500 |
|
N/A |
|
£ 7,500 |
| Training Fee |
£ 1,000 |
|
£ 200 |
|
£ 1,200 |
| Change of DPS |
£ 254 |
|
£ 46 |
|
£ 300 |
| Digital Asset Fee |
£ 250 |
|
£ 50 |
|
£ 300 |
| Working Capital*** |
£10,000 |
|
N/A |
|
£10,000 |
| F&F (Outright Purchase Option A) |
£85,000 |
|
£17,000 |
|
£102,000 |
| F&F (Purchase Agreement Option B) |
£8,500 |
|
£17,000 |
|
£25,500 |
| Total Option A |
£104,004 |
|
£17,296 |
|
£121,300 |
| Total Option B |
£27,504 |
|
£17,296 |
|
£44,800 |
- Estimated Wet/Dry/Accommodation Split: 45%/45%/10%
- Business Rates**** Payable: £6,976 pa
- Available From: Immediately
- Closing Date for Applications: 31/10/25
E&OE
|
Last 3 year Volume
|
Beer & Cider - Barrels
|
Wines - Litres
|
Spirits - Litres
|
Soft Drinks - Litres
|
|
Current Year 2023-24 |
153 |
2010 |
120 |
1620 |
|
Last Year 2022-23 |
134 |
1990 |
90 |
1740 |
|
2 Years Previous 2021-22* |
47 |
630 |
60 |
880 |
The Dolphin trades 7 days a week, with a strong community-focused offer that attracts a varied range of guests. The customer base includes a good mix of senior guests who enjoy a lunchtime treat, and young families who come for an early evening meal.
The spacious and sociable bar area allows for events all year round, supported by a large function room which can accommodate formal dining for up to 100 guests, and has its own private bar.
*Trade volumes for 2021-22 are for 7 months only (Jan – Aug 22), as the Dolphin Hotel was a new acquisition in January 2022.
Meet the Pub's Business Development Partner.....
“There is considerable potential to develop the business here in many different ways, given the pub’s unique location and available space. The guest accommodation is a huge advantage to the business and with the event spaces, this could easily be built upon.
We are seeking an experienced, entrepreneurial operator with the skills and vision to relaunch this historic hotel”.
The right partner will:
- Have a proven track record in food-led hospitality with accommodation and events
- Be confident in running a multi-stream business across rooms, dining, bar, and functions
- Possess strong marketing and event skills to capture both the local market and tourist trade
- Be community-minded, positioning the Dolphin once again as a hub for Bovey Tracey
“With its size, location, and planned investment, The Dolphin Hotel is a rare chance to take on a closed but well-known business and restore it to success”.
Izzy Hersom
Business Development Partner
*Fair Maintainable Trade (FMT):
FMT is the level of turnover and profit that we believe that the business is capable of delivering if being operated competently. The FMT is usually calculated by the Business Development Partner for the pub to rent, who will produce a shadow profit and loss account for the business which supports the rent. A copy of the shadow profit and loss account will be provided during the recruitment process.
Code of Practice:
Please see our Code of Practice for more information on FMT and rent. The Fair Maintainable Trade is not a guarantee of levels of trade or profit that will be made from the business – we strongly recommend you seek appropriate independent legal and business advice as part of your Business Plan.
**The Full Investment Breakdown:
The Full Investment Breakdown for each public house is higher than the minimum investment we will accept. This is because potential Business Partners with the minimum investment available can still be accepted as we are able to offer them financial support for the rest of the monies.
***Working Capital:
The working capital incorporates the purchase of stock, glassware, loose catering effects and valuer fees – please note the number quoted on this website are based on estimates. The exact costs will be determined on the day you take on the public house by independent valuers and stock takers. Please see our Code of Practice for more information about investment.
****Business Rates Payable:
This figure reflects the current multipliers for 2025/2026 and the 40% hospitality relief, effective until 31/03/2026.
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