AN old coaching inn that inspired a Charles Dickens novel is up for sale.

The Hare and Hounds in the village of Pickwick near Corsham is where the renowned Victorian author was believed to have stayed when he got the inspiration for his classic tale The Pickwick Papers.

Owners Mark Foster, 32, and Hayley Gill, 35, who have owned the lease since March 2003, are selling due to family commitments.

The leasehold is on offer at £95,000 and the sale is being marketed as an opportunity to acquire a thriving pub with a unique history.

Mr Foster said: "It's a fantastic pub and as well as being associated with Charles Dickens it is the oldest stop on the national coach network.

"Over the past three years we have really built it up and the customer base is fantastic.

"We've made a large number of friends during our time here, so it is going to be a shame to leave, but we are looking forward to other things."

It is said that Dickens devised several characters for The Pickwick Papers when he spent time as a guest at the Hare and Hounds.

One individual in particular, Moses Pickwick, became a friend of the author.

Mr Pickwick's grandfather, the first Moses Pickwick, was found in the village in a Moses basket - hence the name - and went on to become landlord of the Hare and Hounds and owner of the stage coach company Moses Pickwick Coaches.

Mr Foster said: "Because the pub is very well known for the link with Charles Dickens, it does attract a lot of people, and we've had members of a number of Charles Dickens societies come to us to say hello.

"A lot of holidaymakers and visitors come to the pub because of its history, and some of them are from different parts of the world."

In the days when the A4 was a busy route for stagecoaches travelling from London to Bath, the inn was a popular stopping off point where horses and their drivers could halt for a drink and a rest.

The Hare and Hounds retains lots of character features, which have remained the same since the Dickens era.

It has two bars, a restaurant, three-bedroom owner's accommodation, a one-bedroom staff flat, a large car park and a beer terrace.

DICKENS FACTFILE

  • At the age of 16, Charles Dickens (1812-70) became a newspaper reporter and went on to cover the daily proceedings in Parliament when he joined the Mirror of Parliament.
  • In 1833 Dickens had his first story published in the Monthly Magazine and began contributing other short stories that were published as a book in 1836.
  • After his success with short stories Dickens was commissioned to write novels, including The Pickwick Papers, Oliver Twist and A Christmas Carol.
  • Almost 140 years after his death, Dickens' books continue to sell throughout the world and many of his works have been turned into TV dramas, including the recent Bleak House, and films.