One of Devon’s most historic pubs – the Three Crowns Hotel in Chagford - is to get a new lease of life after being bought by the South West’s leading family-owned brewery - St Austell Brewery. 

Taking over the helm of the 13^th century Inn are John Milan and Steve Bellman, experienced landlords who bring with them more than 30 years in the industry and also already hold the tenancy for a number of award-winning St Austell Brewery pubs in Cornwall. 

The purchase of the Three Crowns Hotel brings the total of pubs and hotels in the Brewery’s estate up to 175 across Cornwall, Devon and Somerset. The acquisition comes at the end of a highly successful year for the company, which in the last 12 months has celebrated several major national awards, including the title of UK Regional Brewer of the Year, which recognises the success of the Brewery, the quality of its ales and its pub estate. 

Over the next few months St Austell Brewery and John and Steve will make a substantial investment into the Three Crowns Hotel, carefully refurbishing the inn’s 19 bedrooms and the bar and restaurant area. The delicate restoration programme will retain the essential character of the inn whilst making sure long term it can operate as sustainably as possible. 

John Milan said: “The Three Crowns Hotel is a fantastic traditional inn and I’m delighted to be running it. The next few months will be a really exciting time and I look forward to welcoming locals and visitors alike. 

“As with all St Austell Brewery houses, guests can expect a fine selection of award winning ales, a friendly service and traditionally cooked food.” 

Adam Luck, Estate Director at St Austell Brewery, said: “We are very proud of our reputation and the leading position the Brewery has within South West and investing in new pubs is an example of maintaining and growing this presence – and the Three Crowns Hotel is a fantastic addition to the estate. 

“John brings with him a wealth of experience including running our highly successful Pandora Inn and Punchbowl and Ladle pubs in Cornwall and we’re confident he will do a great job in putting the Three Crowns firmly on the map as a great traditional inn to visit in Devon.” 

As well as serving the award-winning range of St Austell ales the pub’s menu offers a selection of meals cooked with locally sourced ingredients seven days a week. As well as a generous bar area, the inn has a separate restaurant, which can accommodate 30. Aiming to put the Three Crowns on the South West’s food map is new head chef, Beatus Esholtz who most recently spent 12 years as chef at the world-famous St Andrews Golf Course in Scotland.