One of Britain's last horse-drawn barges has been put up for sale.

The family-run firm behind Tiverton Canal Company is retiring after more than four decades.

It has listed the 'truly' unique tourist attraction for sale to keep the tradition alive.

The £425K listing includes a valuable inventory of barges, boats, horses, vehicles, and associated equipment.

These include a main 70 foot horse drawn barge, licensed to carry up to 80 passengers, an additional 50 seater horse drawn barge and a fleet of rowing boats and Canadian canoes.

The attaction has been operated by Phil and Jacquie Brind since 2005, but has been in the family since the mid 1980s.

The couple are stepping back due to retirement but have vowed to keep the business running until a successor is found.

In a statement online, Phil said: "Jacq and I feel so privileged to spend our days along the Grand Western Canal."

"But as we are now both over 60, and after much thought and a great deal of reflection, it is time for us to hand over the reins of this exciting and fun opportunity and start a new chapter in our own lives."

He added: "We wish to make it very clear that there is no reason for this sale other than our retirement."

"Obviously, we are unsure how long this process will take, but the important thing for Jacq and I now is to find the right person/family to take the horse-drawn barge into the future, to ensure that this "One of the Last Horse-Drawn Barges in Great Britain" remains operating successfully here in Tiverton Devon, for the benefit of the Grand Western Canal and future generations."

The Brind family have been owners and operators of the Horse-Drawn Barge in Tiverton for over 40 years, starting with his parents Pat and Ray and working alongside his brother Ricky back in the 1980's.

In 2005 Phil and Jacq bought the business from his parents to carry on their legacy.

They made a number of changes including renaming it from ‘Grand Western Horseboat' to ‘Tiverton Canal Co' and they turned the ‘Tea's Afloat Barge' into the fully licenced ‘Ducks Ditty Café Bar' in 2008.

Phil added: "It's also been very important to Jacq and I to be seen as a ‘true' Horse-Drawn Living Heritage Attraction, with the request that all our team wear old-fashioned clothing to give a nod to the past with an authentic old-fashioned feel to all our visitors. "

"Over the years we've added Canadian Canoes alongside a new fleet of rowing boats, offering the opportunity to explore the canal at your own pace."



It has given us so many happy days and memories."

Its sales listing described it as a "rare, probably once in a lifetime, opportunity."

It read: "This is a truly unique award winning living heritage tourist attaction, within popular Mid Devon Country Park and Local Nature Reserve."

"Situated on the famous Grand Western Canal in Tiverton, offering horse drawn barge trips, along with rowing boat and Canadian canoe hire, in addition to offering other boat services, with further opportunities available."

The potential buyer would also acquire sole passenger carrying rights for the whole of the canal and potential expansion to other passenger carrying motorboats.

Office, storage and administration buildings, large heavy horse stalls and tack room, boat yard, a workshop and maintenance area, boat maintenance field and horse paddock are also included in the sale.

Canal bank moorings complete with services and a separate booking office and canal side gift shop also feature.

The sale is being handled by Everett Masson & Furby.