Many have likely dreamed of leaving towns and cities behind to run a country pub - and there are opportunities on offer in Hertfordshire.

These five venues across the county’s countryside settings are currently being marketed for a new operator to come in and take them over.

The type of tenancy the pub company is looking for differs in each case, meaning cost varies significantly based on the type of deal on offer.

The Fox

“Off the beaten track” in the village of Aspenden, just outside Buntingford, The Fox is a traditional pub building that has been extended over time.

According to Admiral Taverns, which is marketing the pub, it benefits from a strong local market in an affluent area.

It requires £12,500 in ingoing costs and a £25,300 annual rent.

The Old Chequers

Watford Observer: The Old Chequers.The Old Chequers. (Image: Google Street View)

An “exciting” refurbishment is planned for The Old Chequers, in Gaddesden Row, a small hamlet outside Hemel Hempstead.

It is currently closed but landlord and Heineken subsidiary Star Pubs and Bars is planning a full £338,000 refurbishment.

It still needs someone to run it once it reopens and the financials include £194,273 ingoing costs and a £67,093 annual rent for the tenant.

The Green Man

Another Admiral Taverns pub - The Green Man, in Hitchin Road, Great Wymondley, is apparently only available due to licensee retirement.

Any new licensee would have to invest £13,000 to take over the tenancy but the rent is “to be confirmed”.

According to Admiral Taverns it has a “very well established” older clientele who visit more in at lunchtime than in the evening.

 

The Old Shepherd

Watford Observer: The Old Shepherd in 2022.The Old Shepherd in 2022.

An 18th century pub, The Old Shepherd in Chorleywood Bottom, on the edge of Rickmansworth, is a two-storey ‘cottage-style’ traditional pub that underwent a refurbishment in 2021.

Incoming tenants would need to have £5,000 to pay the incoming costs and the rent would then be set at £25,000. The listing is for a shorter-term 'tenancy at will' agreement, with the potential to move onto a five-year tenancy.

It is marketed by Red Oak Taverns.

The Bull Inn

Watford Observer: The Bull Inn.The Bull Inn. (Image: Google Street View)

Owner Punch Pubs says that “now is the time” to take over Much Hadham High Street’s The Bull Inn.

It is one of two pubs in the village and Punch Pubs says it is looking for a publican “who loves village life and will ensure that the Bull Inn is a community pub.

A £10,500 deposit and a £42,000 annual rent would be required for the tenancy.