WELL-KNOWN historic watering hole -- the Ship Inn at Porlock Weir -- has new hosts.
Harvey Allen and Lynette Davies have taken over the 16th century Ship, along with the Anchor hotel next door two days before Christmas -- and their feet have not touched the ground since.
They have taken over from Donald and Virginia Wade, who kept the premises for 20 years, and who have retired.
Harvey and Lynette, who previously owned a licensed premises near Crowborough, Sussex, will hold the properties on 20-year leases from Porlock Manor Estates.
The Ship Inn is famous for its historical literary connections. In 1798 Robert Southey stayed there and composed his sonnet "To Porlock" while sitting beside the alehouse fire.
Southey's friends, Wordsworth and Coleridge, were also visitors to Porlock.
Coleridge's inspiration deserted him when he was interrupted by the infamous "person from Porlock" while writing Kubla Khan, and unable to finish his poem.
The Anchor Hotel, which dates from around 1750, was originally the local manor house.
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