This “magical and historical” B&B for sale once belonged to the family of a Tudor Queen and even has its own jail. 

The Old Forge, in Totnes, was built more than 400 years ago and originally formed the workshops for Berry Pomeroy Castle and Estates, which were owned by Edward Seymour, brother of Jane Seymour, and Lord Protector of King Edward VI. 

The site housed a blacksmith, a wheelwright, a carpenter and a coach builder, with hay barns, apple stores and cider making facilities too. 

the old forge
The entrance to the property, which was once owned by Edward Seymour. (Marchand Petit)

Also in the grounds is a listed former jail with iron bars, which is currently used as a cellar. 

The B&B also comes with owner’s accommodation, meaning that the purchase would be suitable for a change in lifestyle as well as a business opportunity. 

The property is entered through a reception area with a feature fireplace, and leads through to a kitchen with a utility room and an office. 

old forge
There are period features throughout the property. (Marchand Petit)

There is also a light breakfast room and a conservatory with doors leading outside to the “beautiful and enchanting” walled garden. 

Guest accommodation on the ground floor comprises a one-bedroom en-suite room with a private patio garden, and a two-bedroom cottage suite with a shower room and a kitchen/living area, as well as a walled patio garden. 

old forge
The breakfast room, which leads to the conservatory. (Marchand Petit)

On the first floor, there are a further six bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, and one with a decked terrace area. 

More accommodation is situated in a detached building in the garden, with two en-suite bedrooms and one en-suite bedroom with a garden room. 

old forge
The owner's accommodation has a private balcony. (Marchand Petit)

The owner’s accommodation is currently in ‘The Old Smithy’, a reverse level building with a double bedroom, a bathroom, an open-plan living, kitchen and dining area with an east-facing balcony. 

Outside, there is a private south-facing walled garden with shrubs, fruit trees and sitting areas. 

the old forge
The garden area of the property. (Marchand Petit)

The property is being sold by Marchand Petit for a price of £1,750,000. 

Prunella Martin of Marchand Petit commented: “The Old Forge is a magical and historic building converted to create a versatile property currently run as a B&B/Hotel. 

“The Old Forge offers a great lifestyle business opportunity with excellent stylish owner’s accommodation and further potential, located in a quiet oasis of peace and calm, minutes’ walk from Totnes town and the River Dart only available due to retirement.”