New owners for The Ship at Dunwich and the Westleton Crown

The Westleton Crown, Saxmundham (Image: Archant)

The group was set up in 2012 and is the vision of Suffolk born and bred Philip Turner, who left his career in the City to champion hospitality in East Anglia.

Mr Turner said: “It’s long been our view that the region is vastly underestimated as a destination for eating and staying despite boasting an amazing land and seascape, rich history and culture, incredible fresh produce and a wealth of sporting experiences and activities.

“At Chestnut our ethos is to embrace all the great elements that make up the area. Our job is to act as hosts and simply open the door to the wonderful array of experiences and ingredients that we have on our doorstep.

With properties near Cambridge, Newmarket, Sudbury and in Bury St Edmunds it was a natural progression for us to look to coast so we can truly encompass all aspects of East Anglia.”

The Packhorse Inn at Moulton, near Newmarket. (Image: Archant)

Mark Harrod, owner of Agellus Hotels, said: “We are extremely proud of all we have achieved with The Ship at Dunwich and The Westleton Crown, and now we have decided to hand the ownership over to The

Chestnut Group, who very much share the same vision for the region. We look forward to working closely with them in the transition period to ensure the best outcome for our colleagues and guests.

“it is our plan at Agellus to use the sale of these inns to allow for further development of our properties on the Norfolk coast and Tuddenham Mill in Suffolk.”

The Chestnut Group’s family of inns includes The Packhorse Inn in Moulton near Newmarket, The Rupert Brooke in Grantchester on the outskirts of Cambridge, The Northgate in Bury St Edmunds and The Black Lion in Long Melford.