Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) has completed the sale of The Walhampton Arms, a prominent freehold pub and restaurant near Lymington in Hampshire, on behalf of Heartstone Inns Limited, achieving a price significantly in excess of the £1.2 million guide price.

LSH’s Operational Real Estate team was appointed to market the well-established pub, which occupies a sought-after location within the New Forest National Park, just minutes from the market and yachting town of Lymington.

The marketing campaign generated significant interest from a broad range of prospective purchasers, including established pub companies and private owner-operators, resulting in a competitive sales process and a final price well ahead of initial expectations.

The Grade II listed property is set within its own grounds and operates as a community and family pub and restaurant, with 150 internal covers and a further 80 externally. It also includes 11 en-suite guest bedrooms, with planning permission secured for four additional rooms.

Neil Morgan, Director – Operational Real Estate at Lambert Smith Hampton, said:

“The level and breadth of interest we generated in The Walhampton Arms demonstrates the strength of demand that remains for high-quality freehold pub assets in the right locations.

“Its position within the New Forest, close to Lymington, combined with a strong established business, letting accommodation and further development potential made this a particularly attractive opportunity to the market.

“We received interest from both established pub groups and private operators, creating a competitive process which ultimately enabled us to achieve a sale price significantly in excess of the £1.2 million guide price for our client.

“It’s a great result for Heartstone Inns and further evidence that well-located, quality hospitality assets can command strong pricing when they are positioned and marketed effectively.”

James Birch, Managing Director of Heartstone Inns, added: “We are pleased to have sold the Walhampton Arms and as a result we can continue to develop and expand our estate of large food led managed pubs with rooms. We would like to thank our transferring staff for their loyalty and hard work and wish them, our customers and the new owners the very best for the future.”

The sale was handled by LSH’s specialist Operational Real Estate team, which advises owners, operators and investors across the UK leisure and hospitality sector.