Our Roots

Many pubs have a history, but the Cornwood Inn has more than that - it has a story. 

 

The Cornwood Inn is 100% owned by the community - saved in 2020 and given a new life, building on old roots.  It's been quite a journey...

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A Traditional Devon Village Pub

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Situated at the south-western edge of Dartmoor National Park, on a major route for people travelling to and from the walks, cycle routes and beauty spots of Dartmoor, the first record of a pub on the site of the Cornwood Inn dates back to 1841 (when it was called the Tavistock Inn) - though it is believed there has been an inn on the site for even longer than that. 

 

Back in 1841 the pub was run by a James Dodderidge and his wife, and the landlord was William Mackworth Praed of Delamore, great-great-grandfather of the current owner of neighbouring Delamore Estate.  The pub had become the Cornwood Inn by 1861 and has been called that ever since. 

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A Friendly Future

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In September 2019 the Cornwood Inn was bought from major "Pubco" Ei plc (formerly known as "Enterprise Inns") by a band of community volunteers called Cornwood Inn Action Group.  This was achieved using short-term loans.  To secure the longer-term future of the pub, more funding was raised by converting Cornwood Inn Action Group into a community benefit society and then selling community shares.

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The share offer - featured in local publications as well as the Telegraph and on the BBC - was hugely successful, attracting many local investors and even some from France, the US and New Zealand; people keen to save a traditional Dartmoor pub and have a say in its future.

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The interruption of Covid - awful though it has been for so many - gave the space to recruit our amazing Pub Manager, Tina, and Chef, Dan.  It also gave us time to give the pub a major (and much-needed) facelift, refreshing everything from the cellar, lines and kitchen to the flooring, paintwork and even art on the wall (now proudly displaying work by local artists).

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All of this has so many benefits for guests of the Cornwood Inn:

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• We're a freehouse - we can stock what our guests want, offering a wide and changing choice of the finest drinks.

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• We put people before profits.

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• Any surplus we do make is first of all invested in community initiatives, then returned to our community investors - so you can drink excellent beer and do good at the same time!

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• We're in it for the long haul - no more tenants of a big Pubco, struggling to meet their financial targets; instead, a fantastic, dedicated pub manager and skilled chef who are invested in the pub's future and have the backing of owners who love the pub.

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So pay us a visit - and maybe you'll fall in love with the Cornwood Inn too!

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